US Navy’s Japan-based amphibious ships met up with their Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) counterparts for training off Australia. US Navy transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) trained with Hyūga-class helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 18
The US Military Sealift Command’s expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) headed out to sea recently to test a range unmanned systems during a two-day underway. One of the less prominent systems that was tested was the V-BAT vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial v
The US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Modules (MM) program is cleared to begin developmental testing following a successful structural test firing of the Surface-to-Surface Missile Module (SSMM) on an Independence-variant LCS. Developmental testing is set to start in August after the test
The US Navy has ended its search and rescue efforts for a sailor believed to have gone overboard from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the morning hours of July 17. The sailor, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, is still listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN). The ca
A Venezuelan SU-30 Flanker fighter jet came dangerously close to a US Navy EP-3 Aries II aircraft in international airspace on July 19, the navy said. “After reviewing video documentation, we have determined the Russian-made fighter aggressively shadowed the EP-3 at an unsafe distance in internation
The US State Department has cleared Greece to buy MH-60R multi-mission helicopters with support equipment under a deal estimated to be worth $600 million. The US approval comes less than six months after the Greek government announced its intention to buy the MH-60R. The Hellenic Navy is expected to
The UK’s first Poseidon MRA Mk1 (P-8A) maritime patrol aircraft has completed its first flight, marking another milestone ahead of delivery in early 2020. Following this first test flight, the aircraft will transfer from Boeing Commercial Airplanes to Boeing Defense, Space and Security to be fitted
MQ-8C Fire Scout, the US Navy’s new unmanned helicopter, has reached initial operational capability (IOC) after some six years of flight trials. The navy declared IOC on June 28, after the MQ-8C clocked in over 1,500 flight hours with more than 700 sorties. The sea-based, vertical lift unmanned syst
The US Navy released a request for proposals (RFP) for the guided missile frigate FFG(X) detail design and construction contract on June 20. Now Austal, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Fincantieri Marinette Marine and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works will compete for the contract to build the first 1
The US Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Eight (HSC 28) used the Baltic Sea exercise BALTOPS to test the service’s new Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) and Airborne Mine Neutralization System – Archerfish (AMNS-AF) in the region. “You should not underestimate the significance of
Sikorsky has received a a $542 million contract to build six VH-92A helicopter for the presidential lift mission. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, was awarded the $542 million contract by the navy’s presidential helicopter program. “The team has efficiently leveraged a proven platform with cutti
Russian Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Vinogradov came within 15 meters (50 feet) of US Navy cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) in a close encounter in the Philippine Sea on June 7. The US Navy has released video footage of the incident, which it labeled as an unsafe action that put the safety of
The US Navy intends to start replacing its four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, with newer platforms in 2020, the US 6th Fleet has announced. The navy did not disclose which ships would be stationed in Spain to replace USS Porter (DDG 78), USS Ross (DDG
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is deploying to the US east coast this summer where it will carry out the final round of flight trials with F-35 fighter jets. The carrier’s final spell of preparations ahead of the declaration of initial operational capability in 2020 will include a p
