Contracts
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
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
MBDA opens new UK plant
European missile manufacturer MBDA has opened a new facility in Bolton, Great Britain, in a ceremony attended by UK defense secretary Gavin Williamson. During the ceremony, the defense secretary unveiled a plaque to mark the completion of five years of work and £50 million worth of investment into t
Rheinmetall to upgrade decoy systems on Canadian Halifax-class frigates
German-based defense contractor Rheinmetall Defence has been awarded a follow-on contract to upgrade the MASS countermeasure systems it previously installed on Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigates. The existing Multi Ammunition Softkill System automated decoy system will be upgraded under a contract
Royal Navy frigate deploys to Asia with new Sea Ceptor missile system
Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll became the third Royal Navy ship to deploy to Asia as she got underway from her Devonport Naval base on June 18. The frigate will be spending the next nine-months in Asia, sailing as far as Japan as part of a national push to strengthen military and diplomatic ties in [&he
Swedish AIP submarine HSwMS Gotland completes mid-life upgrade
HSwMS Gotland, the lead boat in the Swedish Navy’s Gotland-class of air-independent propulsion submarines has completed her mid-life upgrade, the company in charge of the overhaul announced. According to submarine builder Saab, HSwMS Gotland is relaunched and ready to start her sea trials. The compa
GE contracted for Royal Navy destroyer power improvement project work
BAE Systems has recently contracted GE’s Marine Solutions to deliver a number of marine electrical solutions to support the upgrade of Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers as part of the UK defense ministry’s Power Improvement Project (PIP). The PIP will see BAE Systems and its partners replace the existin
Ex HMS Ocean receives Brazilian pennant number
Former Royal Navy helicopter carrier HMS Ocean has received a new pennant number as the ship prepares to start a journey to her new home in Brazil. The new pennant number was painted onto the ship’s hull last weekend at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport where it is being prepared for delivery to th
First British F-35Bs arrive home
The Royal Navy and Air Force welcomed their first F-35B Lightning II fighter jets as they landed at RAF Marham in Norfolk on June 6. The aircraft arrived in the UK following a one-day delay caused by adverse weather conditions over the Atlantic which complicated the necessary aerial refueling proced
Kongsberg to deliver ST2400 variable depth sonars for Finnish Hamina-class missile boats
The Finnish defense ministry has awarded Kongsberg Maritime a contract to deliver its ST2400 variable depth sonar (VDS) for the Hamina-class missile boats. The contract was awarded to Kongsberg as part of the Squadron 2000 mid-life upgrade (MLU) program which will extend the missile boats’ service l
Thales joins BAE Systems, CGI for Royal Navy electronic warfare upgrades
French and UK defense contractors Thales and BAE Systems have teamed up with Canadian consulting company CGI for the second phase of the Royal Navy’s Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme (MEWP). MEWP is a UK defense ministry procurement program that aims to provide upgraded electronic warfare capab
Arrowhead 140 design for UK Type 31e frigate revealed
A Babcock-led industry team has officially unveiled the Arrowhead 140 concept as their design for the UK defense ministry’s Type 31e general purpose light frigate program. Babcock, Thales, OMT, BMT, Harland and Wolff and Ferguson Marine are all part of the team bidding for the UK MoD’s £1.25 billion
Royal Navy receives first upgraded Merlin Mk4 helicopter
The Royal Navy has taken delivery of the first upgraded Commando Merlin Mk4 which has been designed for Royal Marine aircraft carrier operations. The helicopters are being upgraded to a faster and more powerful aircraft than their predecessors. With a new maritime grey coat, a folding main rotor and
Italian FFG(X) contender arrives in Norfolk
The Italian Navy’s FREMM frigate ITS Alpino (F594) has arrived in Norfolk, Virginia, for the first stop of her North American tour. The tour will help Fincantieri, and the Italian industry, showcase the FREMM frigate design Fincantieri is offering for the US Navy’s next frigate, dubbed FFG(X). Alpin