Contracts
Blue Angels finally transiting to Super Hornets
The US Navy’s Blue Angels, the famous flight demonstration squadron, are set to receive a new squadron of Super Hornet aircraft following a defense department contract announcement on August 13. The Super Hornets, nine F/A-18E and two F/A-18F, are scheduled to replace the F/A-18C/D Hornets currently
GD NASSCO gets $147.6m for USS Cowpens cruiser modernization
The US Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO) a $147.6 million contract for work on the modernization of Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cowpens (CG 63). This is a “long-term” availability which will include a combination of m
HMCS Montreal arrives at Halifax Shipyard for dry docking work
Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Montreal arrived at Halifax Shipyard August 13 for a 53-week docking work period (DWP) which will include both routine maintenance and upgrades. HMCS Montreal is the third consecutive Halifax-class frigate from the navy’s east coast fleet to enter the Halifax Shipyar
HII gets multi-million deal for USS John C. Stennis RCOH
US shipbuilder Ingalls Industries (HII) has been awarded an advance planning contract for the refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) of the US Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). As informed, the RCOH is scheduled to begin in January 2021. The contract, which is init
US Navy tests MV-22 Ospreys aboard USS George H.W. Bush
MV-22 Osprey pilots tested rolling landing and takeoffs on the flight deck of the US Navy aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) earlier this month. The testing took place a month after Bell Boeing received a contract to build the first 39 CMV-22B aircraft for the US Navy. The CMV-22B Osprey
First California-based US Coast Guard FRC arrives home
Base Los Angeles-Long Beach welcomed the US Coast Guard’s first California-based Sentinel-Class fast response cutter on August 11. USCGC Forrest Rednour arrived in San Pedro, Los Angeles, where the crew will begin training to become certified in law enforcement and rescue operations. The Forrest Red
Royal Navy frigate wraps up seven-month Asia Pacific deployment
Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland returned to her homeport at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Devonport on August 10, concluding a seven-month deployment to the Asia-Pacific. Sutherland and her crew got underway on January 9, becoming the first Royal Navy vessel to operate in Asia Pacific in rece
BAE Systems, Cammell Laird launch Leander frigate website
The Leander frigate design was offered for the Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates
Royal Navy frigate, destroyer prepare for return to operations after upgrades
Her Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth has welcomed back Type 23 frigate HMS Kent and Type 45 destroyer HMS Defender as they returned from refits and upgrades. Both have received command and control systems and weaponry upgrades over the last 18 months. HMS Defender was formally welcomed back into the
US State Department clears MK 54 torpedo, SM-2 missile sales to Dutch, Danish Navy
Raytheon and BAE Systems would be prime contractors on the proposed sales.
State Department clears $70m worth of upgrades for Bahrain Navy flagship
The US State Department has approved $70 million worth of items and services for the upgrades of Royal Bahrain Navy frigate RBNS Sabha. The approved sale includes engineering, technical, and logistics services, documentation, and modification material for US Navy supplied systems and equipment. RBNS
UK MoD suspends Type 31 frigate program
The UK defense ministry’s project of acquiring “low-cost” Type 31 frigates has been brought to a halt due to what the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) office described as a lack of “compliant bids”. The process is now being streamlined, according to a IHS Jane’s report, and will be restarted in
NAVCAD contracts Insitu for more ScanEagle UAS deliveries to Afghanistan
The US Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAVCAD) has awarded Insitu Inc. a $10.8 million contract to deliver an additional 27 ScanEagle unmanned aircraft systems to Afghanistan. In addition to the systems, the contract includes 37 payloads and spares in support of the government of the Isl
Bidders submit final proposals for Canadian Surface Combatant program
Three teams of bidders have submitted their final proposals for the construction of a fleet of new frigates for the Royal Canadian Navy under the Canadian Surface Combatant Program. The companies received feedback to revise their proposals in May and the deadline for the final bids to be submitted w