The UK’s short take off vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B jets have started training on the first of three vertical landing pads at RAF Marham. The VLPs are built for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation by a joint venture between Galliford Try and Lagan Construction. The Norfolk site is the main op
Defense technology companies Leonardo, L3 Technologies and Ultra Electronics Command & Sonar Systems have teamed up to offer a “complete” anti-submarine warfare acoustic system. The system – announced by Leonardo at the Farnborough Airshow 2018 – is based on the company’s new ULISSES (Ultra-LIght So
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI) has teamed up with Leonardo to integrate SAGE electronic warfare surveillance system onto its MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicle. SAGE will be offered as an available baseline configuration for MQ-9B customers of Sky Guardian and maritime surveillance Se
UK company Systems Engineering and Assessment’s (SEA) Krait Defence Anti-Submarine Warfare system is moving forward with the final trials of the extended 150m ultra-thin towed array. Unveiled in September 2017, the new KraitArray uses multi-module assembly philosophy and is now established in-servic
The Brazilian Navy’s second upgraded Super Lynx helicopter has performed its maiden flight from Yeovil, UK. The maiden flight started from the headquarters of Leonardo Marconi Westland (LMW) and was completed on June 21, 2018, the navy said in a statement. The N-4004 aircraft, the second of the eigh
The Polish defense ministry announced on June 29 that it has awarded PGZ a contract to complete outfitting works and all trials on the offshore patrol vessel ‘Ślązak’ and subsequently deliver it to the Polish Navy. According to the announcement, Ślązak is set to start trials in July 2018 while the d
European missile manufacturer MBDA has opened a new facility in Bolton, Great Britain, in a ceremony attended by UK defense secretary Gavin Williamson. During the ceremony, the defense secretary unveiled a plaque to mark the completion of five years of work and £50 million worth of investment into t
The Royal Navy’s newest survey ship has been formally welcomed into the naval family in her home of Devonport. The commissioning ceremony for the new ship, named HMS Magpie, was held on June 28, 2018. Among the attendees was the Duke of Edinburgh, who was in charge of the previous Magpie between 195
The US Naval Oceanography’s Fleet Survey Team (FST) and Naval Oceanography Mine Warfare Center (NOMWC) recently joined the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) exercise for an opportunity to develop interoperability with European allies in mine countermeasure operations. FST and the Hydrographic Support Squa
The Italian Navy’s FREMM frigate Antonio Marceglia has been taken to sea in the Gulf of La Spezia for the first time, Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) said. During its first time at sea on June 19, 2018, several platform and combat system elements installed onboard were set up, t
Defense technology company Saab has signed a contract with an unidentified navy for delivery of the multi-role naval radar Sea Giraffe AMB and associated equipment including spare parts. As informed, the work for the initial phase of the contract will be carried out during the period of 2018-2019. T
German maritime technology firm Atlas Elektronik and Thales Deutschland have been contracted to deliver combat systems for the five new K130 corvettes that are to be built for the German Navy. In addition to combat systems, the contract will see the two companies set up and deliver a test and traini
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS has been awarded a 220 million NOK (approx. US$26.8m) contract to deliver its Naval Strike Missile (NSM) to the navies of Germany and Norway. The contract was awarded to Kongsberg by the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency following a February 2017 agreement between No
German-based defense contractor Rheinmetall Defence has been awarded a follow-on contract to upgrade the MASS countermeasure systems it previously installed on Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigates. The existing Multi Ammunition Softkill System automated decoy system will be upgraded under a contract
