Equipment & technology
HMS Charger patrol boat completes refit ahead of Arctic Convoy commemorations
HMS Charger, Liverpool URNU’s affiliated P2000 patrol boat, returned to her home port in October following a year-long major refit – and just in time to escort HMS Dragon into harbour to play her part in the Arctic Convoy commemorations being held in the city. Charger welcomed some bleary-eyed stude
UK finally starting work on Type 26 frigates
UK’s Defence Secretary announced on Friday that first steel for the Royal Navy’s new Type 26 frigates would be cut in summer 2017. Michael Fallon made the announcement during a visit to Govan in Scotland and added that the deal was subject to final contract negotiations. Fallon also announced a £100
HMS Albion a step closer to joining Royal Navy next year
HMS Albion – the Royal Navy amphibious assault ship that has been mothballed in 2011, just eight years after she joined the fleet – is gradually coming to life one step at a time. In her latest milestone, the amphibious command ship been placed in long term lay-up with her own generators now powerin
UK Royal Marines first Merlin MK4 helicopter takes flight
The UK Royal Marines first improved Merlin Mk4 performed its maiden flight earlier in the week at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton. Working under a 2014-contract worth £330 million (€400), engineers from Leonardo are converting 25 Royal Air Force AW101 Merlin Mk.3 and Mk3A helicopters to replac
Australian Navy’s new replenishment ships to feature Saab’s combat systems
Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has contracted Swedish defense contractor Saab to deliver an integrated combat system for the two new Royal Australian Navy replenishment ships. According to Saab, the contract is worth SEK 226 million (approx US$25 milion). Helicopter control radar and decoy system are
US destroyer departs French aircraft carrier group fighting ISIS
U.S. Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) wrapped up its mission of supporting the French Charles de Gaulle carrier strike group. Ross was part of a destroyer squadron in charge of protecting the aircraft carrier from attacks thereby enabling it to launch fighter jets to carry out airst
France starts deconstruction of Redoutable-class nuclear submarines
The French Government Defense procurement agency Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) has contracted submarine specialist DCNS to deconstruct its decommissioned Redoutable-class ballistic missile submarines. Built between 1964 and 1982, the SSBNs were gradually replaced by the four Triomphant-clas
Croatian Navy fast attack craft fires RBS15 missile
The Croatian Navy fired an RBS15 missile in the waters of Dugi Otok and Žirje on October 19. The RBS15 was fired from the fast attack craft RTOP-42 Dubrovnik while another two fast attack craft performed gun firing at land and air targets during Harpun 16, a live fire exercise held between October 1
Northrop Grumman hails AQS-24B demonstration at Unmanned Warrior a success
U.S. based defense contractor Northrop Grumman Corporation demonstrated its AQS-24B mine hunting system at the Royal Navy-sponsored Unmanned Warrior exercise in Scotland marking the first time the AQS-24B towed mine hunting sensor has been deployed from an unmanned surface vessel in British waters.
MAN to provide GenSets for Italian PPAs
MAN Diesel & Turbo has received a contract to supply the first shipset (plus an option for six more, to be confirmed) of GenSets for the Italian Navy multipurpose, offshore patrol vessel program. Each vessel will feature four 12V175D GenSets, each delivering 1,640 kW. The newbuilds have been ordered
Raytheon, Diehl get $28M for work on RAM missile systems
The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Raytheon Missile Systems a $28 million contract for the production of Navy Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) MK 49 Mod 3 guided missile launching systems. RAM is a guided-missile system designed to destroy anti-ship missiles. The latest version of the syst
USS Carney enters Black Sea
U.S. Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64) entered the Black Sea, October 24, to conduct maritime security operations in the region. Carney entered the Black Sea to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO allies and partners in Europe as part of the U.S. oper
Russia to lay keel for first vessel of new class of corvettes
The Russian Navy said it was ready to lay the keel for the first ship in a new class of corvettes also referred to as Project 20386. The ceremony is scheduled to take place in St. Petersburg on October 28. Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Vladimir Korolyov ordered the first vessel to be named
Russian Navy to commission fifth diesel-electric submarine Veliky Novgorod
The Russian Ministry of Defence announced it would commission the fifth Project 636.3 diesel-electric submarine Veliky Novgorod during a ceremony on October 26. Veliky Novgorod was launched on May 31 at the Admiralty Shipyards in in Saint Petersburg. It is the fifth of overall six Improved Kilo clas