Equipment & technology
F-35B-ready amphibious assault ship Tripoli (LHA 7) completes builder’s trials
The US Navy’s amphibious assault ship Tripoli (LHA 7) has completed sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico, testing the ship’s main propulsion and other systems before returning to Huntington Ingalls Industries’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division. The second ship in the America-class spent four days at sea in
US Navy selects Lockheed Martin as FFG(X) frigate combat system supplier
The US Navy has confirmed the choice of Lockheed Martin as the combat system ship integration & test agent for its future guided missile frigate (FFG(X)) ship program. In May this year, Lockheed decided to withdraw from the race for the construction of future frigates, adding that it would provide c
Trump says USS Boxer jammed an Iranian drone to bring it down
The sailors and marines aboard US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Boxer have destroyed an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz on July 18, US president Donald Trump said during a White House event. While various media reports said the incident was confirmed by “senior defense officials”, Iranian o
Destroyer USS Stethem returns from 14-year deployment
US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) has returned to the US after spending 14 years forward-deployed to Japan as part of the US 7th Fleet. The destroyer arrived at its new homeport of Naval Base San Diego on July 18. Stethem traded Fleet Activities Yokosuka with San Diego as its n
Japan launches second Maya-class destroyer Haguro
The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force’s second Maya-class Aegis destroyer Haguro (DDG 180) was launched in a July 17 ceremony in Yokohama. Built by Japan Marine United (JMU) Corporation, the 170-meter destroyer is an improved version of the Atago-class ships that entered service in 2007 and 2008. Th
Royal Navy’s Martlet missile debuts on Type 23 frigate HMS Sutherland
The missile will defend against small boat attacks.
Brazil carries out third test of MANSUP anti-ship missile
The Brazilian Navy has carried out a third test launch of the MANSUP anti-ship missile on July 10, targeting the hull of the former tugboat Tridente. The missile was launched by Niterói-class frigate BNS Independência on July 10 and was supported by a number of naval and aerial assets. The test was
UK sending destroyer Duncan to Persian Gulf amid Iran tensions
The UK is sending Type 45 destroyer HMS Duncan to the Persian Gulf in the wake of an escalation of tensions in the region following the scrapping of the Iran nuclear deal and a spate of attacks on commercial tankers. HMS Duncan was operating in the Black Sea when the ship’s new tasking was announced
Royal Navy frigate gears for return to fleet after two-year overhaul
Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster is preparing to welcome crew back on board, two years after starting her overhaul in 2017. Upgrades to the ship included the installation of the new Artisan 3D radar, improved navigational radar and the new-generation Sea Ceptor missile system which replaces the now-
Italian Navy Special Forces receive fast boat Angelo Cabrini
Italian Navy special forces – the Operational Raiders Group (Gruppo Operativo Incursori) – received the first of two high-speed multi-purpose vessels from Intermarine on July 8. Angelo Cabrini was delivered a little over a year after it was launched and will support missions of GOI, which is part of
Royal Navy frigate prevents Iranian vessels from stopping British tanker in Persian Gulf
Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose has chased off five Iranian Revolutionary Guards vessels trying to impede the passage of tanker British Heritage in the Persian Gulf on Thursday. According to media reports, HMS Montrose positioned itself between the tanker and Iranian vessels and issued verbal warnin
13-nation naval exercise concludes in Chile
Navy ships and sailors from 13 nations completed UNITAS, the world’s longest running multinational maritime exercise, on July 3. Now in its 60th edition, the Chile-hosted maneuver saw naval forces from Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Germany, Honduras, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Turkey, Unite
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 investing in further laser weapon development
The MoD has earmarked £130m for three Directed Energy Weapons demonstrators.