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
The Chilean Navy has awarded French defense contractor ECA Group a contract to upgrade the steering consoles of Scorpène-class submarines. The contract is part of the country’s wider submarines modernization program which will also see two Type-209 boats receive some features of the Scorpene-class s
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’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
An updated estimate of the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) program indicates that the Canadian government is poised to pay C$8 billion more than initially expected to acquire a fleet of 15 new frigates. According to the government’s new budget officer report, the total cost of the CSC program is C$
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
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
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
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 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
The US Coast Guard received its 34th fast response cutter (FRC), William Hart, from shipbuilder Bollinger Shipyards on May 23. The cutter was handed over in Florida and will be the third of three FRCs stationed in Honolulu. William Hart, the cutter’s namesake, received the Gold Lifesaving Medal for
The US State Department has approved sales of MK 54 lightweight torpedoes to the Royal Canadian Navy and SM-2 Block IIIB Standard missiles to the Republic of Korea Navy. The potential sale of lightweight torpedoes to Canada would be worth an estimated $387 million. A total 425 MK 54 lightweight torp
The US Marine Corps has selected the Norwegian Naval Strike Missile for a program that will allow the service to defend against enemy warships from the shore. According to a Raytheon announcement from May 7, the Kongsberg-developed Naval Strike Missile will be integrated US Marine Corps’ existing fo
The US Coast Guard commissioned its 32nd fast response cutter, USCGC Benjamin Bottoms (WPC-1132), in a ceremony in San Diego, on May 1. The 154-foot Benjamin Bottoms is the fourth Sentinel-Class FRC to be homeported at Base Los Angeles-Long Beach. Bottoms was part the Coast Guard aircrew that rescue
