Equipment & technology
US clears sale of MH-60R helicopters to South Korea
The US state department has approved the sale of twelve MH-60R multi-mission helicopters to the Republic of Korea. The country earlier seemed poised to acquire 12 Leonardo AW159 Wildcat anti-submarine helicopters but South Korea’s defense procurement agency (DAPA) announced earlier this year it woul
US aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan arrives in Philippines
The US Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan arrived in Manila, the Philippines, for a port call on August 7. The carrier arrived together with ships from its carrier strike group, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and USS Antietam (CG 54). T
Raytheon delivers first next generation jammer for US Navy Growlers
US defense contractor Raytheon has delivered the first next generation jammer mid-band engineering and manufacturing development pod to the US Navy to begin ground and aircraft integration testing. Raytheon will deliver 15 EMD pods for mission systems testing and qualification as well as 14 aeromech
Royal Thai Navy launches second Krabi-class OPV
Thailand’s Bangkok Dock has launched the Royal Thai Navy’s second Krabi-class offshore patrol vessel, the future HTMS Prachuap Khiri Khan (552). The ship, which was built under a licensing agreement with UK’s BAE Systems, was launched on August 2. It is based on the River-class OPVs currently being
Australian LHD deploys M1A1 MBT for first time
Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra has completed trials to transport an M1A1 main battle tank and large vehicle loads ashore using an LHD landing craft. The tests, carried out with the Australian Army’s 3rd Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 3rd Combat Service Support Battali
US Navy tests unique vertical take-off UAV
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
HMS Duncan arrives in the Gulf to bolster merchant shipping protection
Royal Navy destroyer HMS Duncan has arrived in the Persian Gulf where it is set to ensure the safe passage of British-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz following Iran’s seizing of tanker Stena Impero on July 19. Last week the government confirmed that the Royal Navy has been tasked to accom
US Navy Independence-variant LCS starting surface-to-surface missile module testing
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
US Navy picks Northrop Grumman as AN/SPQ-9B radar design agent
The US Navy has selected Northrop Grumman Corporation to be design agent for the AN/SPQ-9B surface search and fire control radar. As design agent, the company will provide support to existing and future systems, troubleshoot issues, perform redesign efforts as parts go obsolete and add new capabilit
US Navy commissioning destroyer Paul Ignatius (DDG 117)
The US Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, the future USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), is set to enter service in a ceremony at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 27. Built in the Flight IIA configuration, the ship was launched in November 2016 and delivered in
BAE Systems completes P950 autonomous RIB trials
UK defense technology company BAE Systems has completed “one-of-a-kind” trials of the autonomous Pacific 950 rigid inflatable boat (RIB) demonstrator. The company now says that the autonomous technology will allow navies to go beyond the limits of human endurance with unmanned vessels that can trave
Singapore, Indonesia mark 25th edition of exercise Eagle Indopura
Ships from the navies of the Republic of Singapore and Indonesia are taking part in the 25th edition of exercise Eagle Indopura from July 18 to 25. The exercise is conducted in three phases – the harbor phase in Surabaya, Indonesia; the sea phase in the Java Sea, Karimata Strait and Singapore Strait
US Navy issues RFP for medium unmanned surface vehicle
The US Naval Sea Systems Command has released a request for proposals (RFP) for the development of the medium unmanned surface vehicle (MUSV). Similarly to the Sea Hunter, MUSV will be a pier-launched, self-deploying modular, open architecture surface vehicle capable of autonomous navigation and mis
Indian Navy commissions fifth Dornier squadron
The Indian Navy has commissioned its fifth Dornier aircraft squadron in a July 22 ceremony at Naval Air Enclave, Meenambakkam. The newest squadron, INAS 313, will operate 12 Dornier 228 aircraft built by Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) under a production licence from former German aircraft manufacturer