Equipment & technology
Chief of Russian General Staff Explains Bulava Faults
Unsuccessful test launches of Bulava ballistic missile are associated with human factor, said Chief of Russian General Staff Gen. Nikolai Makarov on Feb 18. “You must be aware of a number of Bulava’s faulty test launches. We stopped test program trying to puzzle out the problem. Generally, the reaso
USS Montpelier Returns to Naval Station Norfolk
The Los Angeles fast-attack submarine USS Montpelier (SSN 765) returned to Naval Station Norfolk from a regularly scheduled deployment Feb. 17. Under the command of Cmdr. Thomas A. Winter, Montpelier is returning from the European Command area of responsibility where it executed the nation’s maritim
USS Houston Holds Change of Command Ceremony
A time-honored change of command ceremony was held for the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Houston (SSN 713) aboard the former U.S. Navy Iowa-class battleship USS Missouri (BB 63) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Feb.17. Cmdr. David Schappert, commanding officer of Houston, was relieved by Cmdr. P
Russia: Mistral-Class Amphibious Landing Ships to Obtain Home-Made Arms
French Mistral-class amphibious landing ships built for Russian Navy will be equipped with weapon systems made in Russia, reported Interfax referring to Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief ADM Vladimir Vysotsky. “We’re going to mount close-in missile systems with the view to improve the ship’s protectio
USA: Office of Naval Research Scientists Bring Undersea Vehicles to Light
Scientists from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) will convene in Salt Lake City for an international gathering of marine science experts Feb. 20-24. Attendees of the 2012 Ocean Sciences Meeting can visit the ONR-sponsored exhibit booth to view unmanned underwater systems, see video demonstrations
UK: Construction of HMS Prince of Wales Starts at BAE Systems
Production on HMS PRINCE OF WALES, the second Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier, has started today at BAE Systems in Portsmouth Naval Base – the future home of the Queen Elizabeth Class. Work on the forward section of the hull, known as Lower Block 02, commenced as Commander-in -Chief Fleet Adm
USS Bonhomme Richard Sailor Visits BHR After 50 Years
As USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) steams west from San Diego to Pearl Harbor en route to a scheduled hull-swap with USS Essex (LHD 2), Sailors onboard may notice a couple of unique passengers. One of them is a 1960’s A3 aircraft from the Vietnam War era; the other is a retired master chief, […]
Russia: Amur Shipyard Holds Construction-Starting Ceremony of Second Serial Project 20380 Corvette
A festive construction-starting ceremony of second serial Project 20380 corvette took place at Amur Shipyard on Feb 17; the ship was christened Gromky and is expected to join Pacific Fleet, city administration of Komsomolsk-on-Amur told Central Navy Portal. The ceremony was attended by Khabarovsk Go
UK: Royal Navy’s Next Generation Helicopter Completes Trials Aboard HMS Iron Duke
The Royal Navy’s next generation helicopter, Wildcat, has completed 20 days of demanding trials aboard HMS Iron Duke, laying the groundwork for future operations. Wildcat landed nearly 400 times on the frigate’s flight deck by day and night in various weather conditions as the ship sailed off the co
Italy: CTF 69 Holds Change of Command Ceremony at Naval Support Activity Naples
Commander, Task Force (CTF) 69 held a change of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Naples Feb. 16. Capt. Wesley Guinn relieved Capt. Mark Davis as commander. During the ceremony, Vice Adm. Frank C. Pandolfe, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, spoke about Davis’ many accomplishments during his tour.
Russia: Admiralteyskie Verfi Shipyard Completes Strength Hull Sections for SSK Novorossiysk
JSC Admiralteyskie Verfi shipyard has completed manufacturing of strength hull sections for Project 636.3 submarine. The first serial submarine named Novorossiysk is built under Russian Navy’s order and will be commissioned into Black Sea Fleet in 2014. Construction of the submarine under modernized
US Navy Names Forward Deployed Ships to Spain
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced Feb. 16 the four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers which will be forward deployed to Rota, Spain. The four include three from Norfolk, Va; USS Ross, USS Donald Cook, and USS Porter, and one from Mayport, Fla., USS Carney. The ships are in support
USA: Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group Begins Air Missions in Support of OEF
The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (ALCSG) launched its first combat sorties this deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Feb. 16. The ALCSG, which was last in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) in March 2011, is comprised of the most effective collection of ass
Belgian Navy Purchases Two Additional REMUS 100 Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
The Belgian Navy has added to its fleet of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) from Hydroid, Inc., a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime and the leading manufacturer of AUVs. Two new REMUS 100 AUVs will enable the Belgian Navy to detect underwater mines, improvised explosive devices and other undeton