Shipbuilding
USNS Fall River Launched at Austal USA
USNS Fall River (JHSV 4) hit the water successfully at Austal USA on January 16, 2014. The high-speed catamaran, which is part of a 10-ship program worth over USD 1.6 billion, was recently christened at Austal shipyard. The launching was a multi-step process. The ship was first tranferred from the
BAE Systems Pens USS Wasp Deal
BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair has received a 13.89 million contract for the planned maintenance work on USS Wasp (LHD 1). The dry-docking planned maintenance availability will update and improve USS Wasp’s military and technical capabilities. Under the contract, BAE Systems will plan and execute d
USA: BAE Systems Lands MK 41 VLS Contract Options
BAE Systems, Land & Armaments L.P. was awarded a $19.2 million contract modification by the U.S. Navy to exercise options for fiscal 2014 MK 41 vertical launching system canister production requirements. Production requirements will include 89 MK 21 MOD 3 (SM-6) canisters, coding plug assemblies, ex
British Final Type 45 Destroyer Enters Service Ahead of Schedule
The UK’s sixth and final Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Duncan has entered into service with the Royal Navy four months ahead of schedule. The 7,500 tonne vessel will now head for trials to ready for operational deployment. Despite being scheduled to enter service in early 2014, due to the hard work of both
BAE Systems: Record Intake of Apprentices to Meet Submarine Workload
Driven by high-demand for predominantly submarine engineers, UK defence specialist BAE Systems plans to hire a record number of apprentices. The new recruits will work at sixteen of sites in the UK and join the Company in September 2014. As reported by BAE, the increase can in part be attributed to
UK: Fifth Astute Class Sub Moves to Next Construction Stage
The front section of the fifth Astute class submarine, Anson, took her place alongside her sister submarines. Anson’s forward end construction was transported to the Devonshire Dock Hall at BAE Systems Submarines site in Barrow-in-Furness. She took her place inside the giant construction hall alongs
Australian Navy’s Second LHD Hull Heads to Melbourne
The hull of the second and last of the Royal Australian Navy’s new amphibious ships has departed from Vigo in northern Spain, Australian Defence Minister Senator David Johnston today announced. The Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) hull will be transported to Melbourne, Australia, by the Heavy Lift Ship
UK to Invest USD 128.9 Million in Next Generation Nuclear Subs
The Defence Secretary has announced £79 million (USD 128.9 Million) of investment in the next generation of Royal Navy submarines. “This £79 million investment is another important milestone in our preparations to build these world leading submarines.” The Successor submarines, which will carry the
US Navy Takes Early Delivery of 13th Production P-8A Poseidon
Boeing has delivered the 13th production P-8A Poseidon ahead of schedule to the U.S. Navy, marking a perfect on-time record for the year. The aircraft’s arrival at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., on Dec. 4 follows the Navy’s announcement of initial operational capability and first P-8A deploym
LHD Ship Prepares for Transit to Australia
On Monday, Australia’s second Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ship departed the Navantia Ferrol Dockyard in Spain for a short trip south to Vigo, where she will be loaded onto the Dockwise Heavy Lift Ship (HLS) Blue Marlin for transit to Australia. Weather permitting, Blue Marlin is scheduled to depar
UK MOD Hires QinetiQ to Upgrade SMERAS Software
QinetiQ, a long established partner for SMERAS research, test and evaluation for the UK Royal Navy, has been contracted by the UK MOD to upgrade and provide on-going maintenance for a specialist software tool designed to aid in the decision making process of submarine escape and rescue systems. The
UK: Babcock Begins HMS Sutherland Upgrade Project
Babcock has begun work to deliver an upgrade and maintenance programme on HMS Sutherland, which will see the Type 23 frigate receive extensive upgrades and improvements that will significantly increase the ship’s sustainability and fighting capability. Sutherland docked down on Friday, 22 November,
Top News of the Week November 18 – 24, 2013
USS Chancellorsville Finishes Combat Systems Upgrades Naval Sea Systems Command completed the first-ever Air Defense Cruiser Aegis Baseline 9 combat systems upgrade for USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), March 29. The upgrade, part of the Navy’s Cruiser Modernization program, began in April 2012 at BAE S
HMS Collingwood Welcomes Ghana Navy Chief of Naval Staff
Rear Admiral Geoffrey Biekro, Ghana Navy Chief of Naval Staff, visited the MWS recently as part of a wider visit to the UK. During his time at HMS Collingwood the Admiral visited the Close Range Training Simulator, the Bridge Simulator, met with Ghana Navy students on the International Warfare Offic