The US Navy has confirmed the choice of Lockheed Martin as the combat system ship integration & test agent for its future guided missile frigate (FFG(X)) ship program. In May this year, Lockheed decided to withdraw from the race for the construction of future frigates, adding that it would provide c
The sailors and marines aboard US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Boxer have destroyed an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz on July 18, US president Donald Trump said during a White House event. While various media reports said the incident was confirmed by “senior defense officials”, Iranian o
US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63) has returned to the US after spending 14 years forward-deployed to Japan as part of the US 7th Fleet. The destroyer arrived at its new homeport of Naval Base San Diego on July 18. Stethem traded Fleet Activities Yokosuka with San Diego as its n
MQ-8C Fire Scout, the US Navy’s new unmanned helicopter, has reached initial operational capability (IOC) after some six years of flight trials. The navy declared IOC on June 28, after the MQ-8C clocked in over 1,500 flight hours with more than 700 sorties. The sea-based, vertical lift unmanned syst
The US Navy’s littoral combat ship (LCS) 17, the future USS Indianapolis, has completed acceptance trials in Lake Michigan, Lockheed Martin said. This is the ship’s final significant milestone before its delivery later this year. The trials included a full-power run, maneuverability testing, and sur
The US Navy released a request for proposals (RFP) for the guided missile frigate FFG(X) detail design and construction contract on June 20. Now Austal, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Fincantieri Marinette Marine and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works will compete for the contract to build the first 1
USNS Comfort (T-AH 20), the US Navy’s 272-meter hospital ship, got underway from Naval Station Norfolk on June 14 to begin its deployment to South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. During its deployment, Comfort will provide medical assistance in support of regional partners and in respon
DDG 132, the US Navy’s 82nd Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, will be named in honor of Coast Guard Capt. Quentin Walsh, who was awarded the Navy Cross for his service during World War II. “Capt. Walsh was a hero whose efforts during World War II continue to inspire, and his leadership in securing the
The US Navy and Raytheon have completed the final developmental test of the Ship Self Defense System, or SSDS, Integrated Combat System for the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). The test took place off the coast of California from the Navy’s unmanned self defense test ship simulating a scenario CVN 78 ma
The US Navy intends to start replacing its four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, with newer platforms in 2020, the US 6th Fleet has announced. The navy did not disclose which ships would be stationed in Spain to replace USS Porter (DDG 78), USS Ross (DDG
The Canadian Coast Guard officially welcomed icebreaker CCGS Captain Molly Kool to its fleet at the Canadian Coast Guard Atlantic Region Headquarters in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, on May 30. This marked the first of three new medium icebreakers to join the coast guard fleet. The CCGS Cap
Lockheed Martin will not be pitching an upgraded version of its Freedom-class littoral combat ship for the US Navy’s next-generation guided-missile frigate FFG(X) competition. This was first reported by USNI News, who further said the company informed the navy about its decision on May 23. Lockheed
US Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and some ships from Carrier Strike Group Nine (CSG-9) wrapped up their participation Alaska’s largest biannual joint-military training exercise on may 24. US Navy assets were joined by US Air Force, US Army, and Marine Corps service members fo
The US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and the navy’s premier science and technology research squadron, Scientific Development Squadron ONE (VXS-1), have unveiled the UV-18 “Twin Otter” as the newest addition to the squadron’s fleet of aircraft research platforms. The UV-18 is the military equivalen
