With four new participants, the number of countries taking part in RIMPAC, the world’s largest international maritime exercise, rose to 27. 45 ships, five submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 30 t
Sailors aboard the Italian Navy’s Horizon-class air-defence destroyer Andrea Doria launched their first MU90 torpedo in the Gulf of Taranto, May 24, 2016. During the exercise, a fictional sonar contact is included on the combat system management computer (CMS). Once the contact appears, the weapon s
The United States Committee on Appropriations has approved the FY2017 Defense Appropriations Bill which includes $1.0 billion in Navy shipbuilding funds to build the first USCG-operated icebreaker since FY1990. The United States currently relies on just one heavy vessel and one medium vessel, one of
In a close cooperation with EU’s counter-piracy operational headquarters, Chinese Navy warship CNS Xiangtan escorted World Food Programme vessel, Evangelia L, to the port of Berbera, Somaliland. Evangelia L had been chartered by the WFP to carry humanitarian aid to the Somali port. After phone calls
The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Lockheed Martin Sippican a $72,8 million contract for the procurement of MK 48 Mod 7 heavyweight torpedo guidance and control sections. Under the contract, Lockheed will also provide MK 48 Mod 7 Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System upgrade kits, test
Australia’s first P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft recently completed its maiden flight. The aircraft flew a short distance from Renton Airfield to Boeing Field in Washington State USA, to where the P-8A’s mission systems will be installed as part of project AIR 7000. The $5.4 billion P-8A pro
Explosives Ordnance Disposal personnel from Australia, US, Singapore and New Zealand have completed training at Guam Naval Base during Exercise Tricrab 2016. Hosted by US Navy Explosives Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Five, the technicians developed their explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) skills whil
The U.S. Navy christened the amphibious transport dock Portland (LPD 27) on May 20 in front of approximately 1,000 guests. Ship’s sponsor, Bonnie Amos, smashed a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow of the ship, officially christening Portland. U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Christopher Owens, direc
The Royal Navy of Oman has taken possession of the first High Speed Support Vessel, RNOV Al Mubshir. The RNOV Al Mubshir is the first of two 72 metre High Speed Support Vessels (HSSVs) to be delivered to the Royal Navy of Oman under a US$124.9 million design, construct and integrated logistics suppo
The EU Political and Security Committee on May 18 appointed Brigadier Robert Magowan, an officer from the British Royal Marines, as Operation Commander for the EU Naval Force Somalia, Operation Atalanta. Brigadier Magowan is taking the place of Major General Martin Smith. He is expected to take up h
Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, welcomed his French counterpart, Admiral Bernard Rogel, in Canberra, Australia last week for a series of meetings aimed at strengthening the relationship between the two navies. The visit comes in the wake of the Australian Government’s de
EU NAVFOR’s Operation Atalanta has welcomed back the Spanish Navy frigate ESPS Santa Maria. The ship was previously deployed on Op Atalanta in 2011 and will be conducting counter-piracy patrols over the coming five months. ESPS Santa Maria has an embarked Seahawk helicopter on board, allowing her to
Rear Admiral Ken Cheong, Commander of Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, recently visited the EU NAVFOR’s operation Atalanta flagship, FGS Bayern in Salalah in the Gulf of Aden. Radm Cheong, who works for Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), met the Force Commander EU NAVFOR, Radm Jan Kaack, onboard FGS Baye
Huntington Ingalls Industries delivered the U.S. Navy’s newest amphibious ship, the USS John P. Murtha. The 10th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock to be built by HII, John P. Murtha (LPD 26) was delivered during a ceremony at Pacasgoula, Mississippi, May 13. LPD 26 is named in honor of the
