Equipment & technology
USS Makin Island Celebrates Christmas in Singapore
While there certainly wasn’t snow in the forecast for the local climate, Sailors and Marines assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) still showed signs of holiday spirit by celebrating the Christmas holiday in Singapore, Dec. 25. Most Sailors and Marines on liberty celebrate
USA: Raytheon Company Receives Standard Missile-3 Block Contract
Raytheon Company received a $122.5 million contract from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency for continued development of Standard Missile-3 Block IA and IB programs. Under this modification, Raytheon will provide SM-3 design and engineering, in service engineering support, production engineering, surve
Russia: Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center Repairs Varshavyanka-Class Subs
Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center (Severodvinsk) speeds up works on Northern Fleet (NF) Project 877 diesel submarines, told a source in the shipyard to Central Navy Portal. Two NF diesel electric submarines of this type – SSK Kaluga and SSK Vladikavkaz – are currently under repair at Zvezdochka. Kaluga
Philippine Navy Personnel Aids Burning Cargo Vessel off Misamis Oriental
Philippine Navy personnel helped fight a blaze onboard a cargo ship sailing off Misamis Oriental Thursday afternoon. Naval Forces Western Mindanao commander Rear Admiral Armado Guzman said Friday that the BRP-Emilio Liwag and BRP-Jose Loor Jr., skippered by Commander Rolando Guanzon and Lieutenant A
Russia: JSC Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center Starts Repair Works on Smolensk
JSC Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center (affiliate of United Shipbuilding Corporation) started repair works on Project 949A Antei nuclear-powered attack submarine Smolensk. The sub was taken over by the shipyard in Sept 2011, laid up and docked in Nov 2011. In the dock, experts of Zvezdochka center will p
Russia: Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine Performs Bulava Salvo Launch
Nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Yury Dolgoruky on Friday Dec 23 carried out last in 2011 test salvo launch of two SLBM Bulava missiles from the White Sea, reports RIA Novosti referring to spokesman for Russian defense ministry Col Igor Konashenkov. “The salvo launch was performed
USA: Commander, Task Force 55 Ship Visits Iraq Strengthening Partnership
A Commander, Task Force (CTF) 55 ship conducted the first port visit since the end of Operation New Dawn, and the last port visit of 2011 in Umm Qasr, Iraq, Dec. 21. Island-Class Patrol Boat USCGC Adak (WPB-1333), assigned to CTF 55, was the first U.S. military ship to visit Iraq following the offic
Iran to Conduct Naval Exercices in Arabian Sea
Iran put neighbors on notice Thursday that it was about to conduct vast naval exercises in the Arabian Sea, including war games near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for international oil traffic. The exercises, to start Saturday and last 10 days, are Iran’s first since May 2010 and were
INS Vikramaditya Carrier’s Trial Under Indian Navy to Start in May 2012
Shipyard’s sea trials of aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya being retrofitted under Indian Navy’s order will start on May 25, 2012. On that day, the 45,000-ton carrier will take the sea for the first time, said Igor E. Leonov who is in charge of the carrier’s delivery. Shipbuilders of Sevmash will ha
USS North Carolina Submarine Visits Fleet Activities Yokosuka
The Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS North Carolina (SSN 777) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka Dec. 21 for a routine visit as part of her maiden deployment to the Western Pacific. With a crew of 133, North Carolina will conduct a multitude of missions and showcase the latest capabilities
SSGN Severodvinsk Finishes Last Sea Trial in 2011 (Russia)
Lead sub of Project 885 nuclear-powered attack submarine SSGN Severodvinsk on Dec 20 returned to outfitting quay of Sevmash shipyard from the last in 2011 sea trial. The submarine was met by acting director general of Sevmash Sergei Marichev and White Sea Naval Base Commander Capt 1 rank Viktor Liin
USS Makin Island Arrives in Singapore for Port Visit
The amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), along with the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), arrived in Singapore Dec. 21 for a port visit. During the visit, Sailors and Marines will have an opportunity to experience the Singapore culture and take part in a variety of Morale,
U.S. Marines Celebrate Three-Week Partnership with Salvadoran Marines
U.S. Marines assigned to High Speed Vessel (HSV 2) Swift celebrated the conclusion of a three-week partnership with Salvadoran Marines in La Union, Dec. 20. The three-week Marine subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) and Swift’s visit to El Salvador is part of HSV-Southern Partnership Station 2012 (
USS Chicago Submarine Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary
The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721) celebrated its 25th anniversary this week at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam with events which include a visit to the submarine by members of the 721 Club of Chicago. “It is a great honor to have the 721 Club here for our 25th anniversary and to b