Contracts
US Navy’s MQ-8C unmanned helicopter reaches initial operational capability
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
UK Royal Marines test new Lightweight Multirole Missiles
UK’s Royal Marines have tested their ability to take out airborne targets with a new laser-guided missile system on the ranges in south Wales. Air Defence Troop of Plymouth-based 30 Commando IX Group is the first sub unit to use the fresh-out-the-packet Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) system. Th
India to acquire ships for navy, coast guard
India’s Ministry of Defence has issued four shipbuilding requests for proposal (RFP) for the acquisition of various ships and craft for the country’s navy and coast guard. As informed, the RFPs amount to INR 150 billion (around USD 2.2 billion) and are part of the Indian government’s defence moderni
US destroyer leaves 7th Fleet after 14 years forward deployed
The US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) returned to the US 3rd Fleet area of operations on June 30, following 14 years of forward-deployed service in the Indo-Pacific region operating from Japan. The destroyer is en route to San Diego, where she will be homepo
BAE Systems wins contract to modernize US Navy’s C5ISR systems
The US Navy has selected BAE Systems to provide engineering and integration support for critical communications and combat systems. BAE Systems has been awarded a five-year, $90 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to modernize and maintain C5ISR systems embedded within vehicles,
Canada’s surface combatant project will cost C$4.6B per ship, new report finds
An updated estimate of the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) program indicates that the Canadian government is poised to pay C$8 billion more than initially expected to acquire a fleet of 15 new frigates. According to the government’s new budget officer report, the total cost of the CSC program is C$
US Navy issues RFP for FFG(X) frigate contract
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
Second Swedish Gotland sub launched after mid-life upgrade
HSwMS Uppland, the second of two Royal Swedish Navy Gotland-class submarines, was launched at Saab’s Karlskrona shipyard on June 19. The relaunch of the second air independent propulsion (AIP) submarine took place almost exactly 12 months after the first unit was relaunched as part of the upgrade. T
Frigate Arunta rejoins Australian Navy fleet after AMCAP upgrade
Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Arunta officially rejoined the fleet after completing her Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) upgrade. Arunta is the first ship to undergo the program which provides significant improvements to the ship’s key sensor and communications sys
German-Norwegian Type 212 CD submarine contract to be signed early 2020
The Norwegian and German defense procurement agencies have evaluated a thyssenkrupp Marine Systems proposal for the construction of six Type 212 CD (common design) submarines and are now expecting a contract with the shipbuilder to be signed in the first half of 2020. The governments of Norway and G
US Navy names Arleigh Burke-class destroyer after Battle of Cherbourg hero
DDG 132, the US Navy’s 82nd Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, will be named in honor of Coast Guard Capt. Quentin Walsh, who was awarded the Navy Cross for his service during World War II. “Capt. Walsh was a hero whose efforts during World War II continue to inspire, and his leadership in securing the
BAE Systems buys UUV maker Riptide
Shipbuilder and defense contractor BAE Systems announced it has acquired key assets of Riptide Autonomous Solutions (Riptide), the maker of small unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) technology and solutions. “Adding Riptide’s technological capabilities will position us to provide customers unmatched f
CAE secures work on design phase of Canadian Surface Combatant program
Montreal-based CAE announced it has received a contract from Lockheed Martin to begin work on the design phase of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) ship program. During the design phase over the next several years, CAE will support combat systems training needs analysis and
Lockheed withdraws its LCS from US Navy’s FFG(X) frigate competition
Lockheed Martin will not be pitching an upgraded version of its Freedom-class littoral combat ship for the US Navy’s next-generation guided-missile frigate FFG(X) competition. This was first reported by USNI News, who further said the company informed the navy about its decision on May 23. Lockheed