Aviation
New Zealand picks P-8A Poseidon as its new maritime patrol aircraft
New Zealand is buying four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from the United States to replace its ageing Orions, the government announced July 9. The four aircraft will replace the six P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) that have been operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force
USS Coronado wraps up IOT&E for MQ-8C Fire Scout
US Navy littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) completed the first comprehensive Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) for the MQ-8C Fire Scout on June 29. The ship’s crew worked with the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VX-1) for the IOT&E which will inform decision-makers on how be
Report: Japan to send JS Kaga to South China Sea, Indian Ocean mission
Japan is likely to send its Izumo-class helicopter carrier to the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean this year as well. The two-month deployment of the 27,000-ton JS Kaga comes as Japan aims to boost its presence in this strategically important region, Reuters reported citing two unnamed Japanese
Belgian Navy tests Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 UAS
The Belgian Navy recently tested the maritime surveillance capabilities of Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 unmanned air system (UAS) in the naval port of Zeebrugge and in a land-based setting in Lombardsijde. The trials lasted from June 21 to July 1 and were aimed at developing a successful concept of op
Brazilian Navy’s 2nd upgraded Super Lynx helicopter completes maiden flight
The Brazilian Navy’s second upgraded Super Lynx helicopter has performed its maiden flight from Yeovil, UK. The maiden flight started from the headquarters of Leonardo Marconi Westland (LMW) and was completed on June 21, 2018, the navy said in a statement. The N-4004 aircraft, the second of the eigh
Bell Boeing gets USD 4.2 bn V-22 contract from NAVAIR
The US Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Bell Boeing JPO a $4,2 billion contract for V-22 tiltrotor aircraft construction. As informed, the contract provides for the manufacture and delivery of 39 CMV-22B aircraft for the US Navy, 34 MV-22B aircraft for the Marine Corps, one CV-22B for the Air F
Brazilian Navy commissions helicopter carrier Atlântico (A 140)
The Brazilian Navy commissioned its new helicopter carrier Atlântico (A 140) in a ceremony at the UK naval base in Devonport on June 29. Atlântico, formerly known as HMS Ocean, was bought by Brazil after the Royal Navy decommissioned it after 20 years of service. PHM Atlântico (A 140), PHM standing
RFA Mounts Bay helping British territories prepare for Caribbean storm season
After concluding international exercise Tradewinds 2018, Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Mounts Bay is touring British territories in the Caribbean region to help them prepare for this year’s storm season. The 2017 storm season was among the worst in recent memory with a succession of hurricanes batterin
World’s largest naval drill kicks off in Hawaii
Over fifty ships and submarines from 26 nations gathered at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam for the start of the world’s largest naval drill – RIMPAC 2018 – which kicked off June 27. Taking place in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California, the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise is s
Australia investing AU$1.4b in MQ-4C Triton UAS acquisition
The Australian government announced it is investing AU$1.4 billion in the acquisition of six MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The UAS will be acquired through a cooperative program with the US Navy. Australia is buying the UAS to complement the surveillance role of the P-8A Poseidon air
Royal Navy frigate escorts Russian corvettes through the Channel
Royal Navy’s Type 23 HMS Montrose escorted two Russian warships through the English Channel as they transited towards the Mediterranean Sea. The Plymouth-based frigate sailed up the Channel to meet with corvettes RFS Boikiy and Stoikiy as the Russian vessels sortied from their base in the Baltic and
Fincantieri launches Italian Navy logistic support ship ‘Vulcano’
The Italian Navy’s LSS logistic support ship Vulcano was launched in a June 22 ceremony at Fincantieri’s Muggiano (La Spezia) shipyard. The ceremony was attended by Italian Minister of Defence, Elisabetta Trenta, the Chief of Defense, General Claudio Graziano, and the Chief of the Navy, Admiral Valt
Atlas Elektronik, Thales to deliver combat systems for new German K130 corvettes
German maritime technology firm Atlas Elektronik and Thales Deutschland have been contracted to deliver combat systems for the five new K130 corvettes that are to be built for the German Navy. In addition to combat systems, the contract will see the two companies set up and deliver a test and traini
USS Coronado begins underway operational testing of MQ-8C Fire Scout
US Navy littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) started the underway operational testing phase of the MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter. The latest set of trials began June 15, off San Diego. The operations are a continuation of MQ-8C operational testing that began in April. This next phase is