In a move which marked a new step in the U.S. Navy’s Next Generation Jammer electronic warfare system, the U.S. Navy has awarded Raytheon a $1 billion contract for Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) of NGJ prototypes. The contract will see Raytheon deliver 15 Engineering Development Mod
U.S. Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Comand has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract modification for work on the integrated surface ship Undersea Warfare System (USW) systems. The AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 provides surface warships with an integrated undersea/anti-submarine warfare detection, localization, classifica
Australian-based shipbuilder Austal has laid the keel for the eighth U.S. Navy Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel Yuma (EPF 8) at its Mobile, Alabama facility during a ceremony held March 29. The ship is built under a 10-ship, $1.6 billion block-buy contract awarded to Austal in 2008. Laying the ke
The U.S. Navy’s 6th Fleet operating in Europe and Africa has established a new task force that will be solely responsible for ballistic missile defense in Europe. On March 24, Commodore Jeffrey Wolstenholme assumed command of the newly established Commander, Task Force 64, as the unit was named. U.S
U.S. Navy’s Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) departed Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor March 13, for its first strategic deterrent mission since 2011. Kentucky recently completed a 40-month Engineered Refueling Overhaul (ERO) to extend the life of the submarine for another 20 y
Two U.S. Navy amphibious assault ships, USS Kearsarge and USS Boxer have received Battle Effectiveness (Battle “E”) awards. The officers and crew of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) were awarded March 3, while USS Boxer received its Battle E for the fifth consecutive year on March 6
U.S. Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), took the Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7 aboard for a patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Bonhomme Richard arrived in White Beach, Okinawa February 28 to r
Indian shipbuilding company Goa Shipyards has launched the first fast attack vessel for The Mauritius Police Force – National Coast Guard in a ceremony on February 29. The 50-meter vessel, named MCGS Victory, is designed for coastal patrolling, anti-piracy, anti-smuggling, anti-drug surveillance, an
U.S. Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), and amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42), arrived in White Beach, Okinawa after completing a 9-day certification exercise (CERTEX) in the East China Sea, February 28. The ships embarked the 31st Marine Expeditionary Un
The Royal Australian Navy’s new weapon system training platform for the Hobart-class destroyers has recently recently been certified. A leading seaman electronics technician took to the firing panel recently during a weapons certification firing trial of the Mk 25 25mm Typhoon at West Head Gunnery R
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri announced February 9 that it has started construction works on the Italian Navy’s logistic support ship which will be built under the Navy’s fleet renewal plan. The steel cutting ceremony of the ships stern section was held yesterday at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Riva
HMS Ceres, Leeds’ first Royal Naval Reserve Unit has been formally commissioned by The Princess Royal at a dedication ceremony February 6. Ceres has existed in various forms as a naval establishment in Yorkshire over the past 70 years and, until last year, was a satellite unit of HMS Calliope on Tyn
The crew of the U.S. Navy’s next aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) held their first all-hands general quarters (GQ) damage control drill February 4. General Quarters, Battle Stations, or Action Stations is an announcement made aboard a naval warship to signal the all hands aboard a s
Sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) tested the carriers catapult one by performing a ‘no-load’ test on January 28. The success of this firing marked another milestone in the ship’s Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) process. Captain Ron L. Ravelo, Lin
