Submarines
UK: HMS Westminster’s Crew Raise Awareness of Men’s Health Issues
HMS Westminster saved the best ‘Movember’ moustache for last. On the final day of the month urging men to grow ‘taches to raise awareness of men’s health issues, the crew unveiled the ship’s Lynx helicopter complete with a giant moustache… and bushy eyebrows. If you thought the RAF had the monopoly
Royal Navy Praises ASW Capability of Thales UK’s Sonar
The Royal Navy has described how the combination of a Type 23 frigate fitted with Thales UK’s Sonar 2087 and a Merlin helicopter equipped with the Thales FLASH dipping sonar has delivered an outstanding anti-submarine warfare capability. HMS Northumberland, sailing as part of the UK’s Response Force
UK: RFA Wave Knight Refuels HMS Westminster
Sailors on HMS Westminster were treated to a meteorological phenomenon as their frigate took on fuel from tanker RFA Wave Knight in the Western Approaches. The two ships linked up in rough seas for the second time in little over a week as Westminster continued exercising and training, this time in c
French Navy Takes Delivery of First FREMM Multimission Frigate
On 23 November, European Joint Armament Cooperation Organisation OCCAR formally signed acceptance documents on behalf of French defence procurement agency DGA following the delivery of FREMM frigate Aquitaine in compliance with all contractual requirements. Aquitaine is the first FREMM multimission
Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center Starts Sea Trial Program of SSBN Verkhoturye
Zvezdochka Ship Repair Center started shipyard’s sea trial program of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine… [mappress] Source: Russian Navy, November 23, 2012; Image: tsushima
UK: World Powers to Discuss Underwater Defence, Security
With the underwater environment posing an ever increasing threat for navies worldwide, with particular emphasis on submarine developments, legal challenges, innovative technologies, weapons and unmanned systems, a key event is being held in February 2013 to discuss exactly how nations can work toget
HMS Northumberland Conducts Final Training before Heading through Suez
Sailors and Royal Marines from HMS Northumberland have carried out final boarding training before they head through the Suez canal to deal with international piracy, terrorism and smuggling. The Devonport-based frigate is making use of NATO ranges and training complex in Crete after completing her d
Russia: Sevmash Shipyard Celebrates Commissioning Anniversary of SSBN Leninets
On Nov 5, 1967, governmental board commissioned lead submarine of Project 667A into Soviet Navy. K-137 Leninets opened the series of second-generation nuclear-powered submarines armed with 16 ballistic missiles and capable to launch them from under water. As was said at the ceremony on occasion of t
France: DCNS Completes First Pressure Hull Ring for SSN Tourville
DCNS’s Cherbourg centre has completed the first pressure hull ring for the third Barracuda-type nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) almost one month ahead of schedule. This is an important milestone for a particularly ambitious DCNS-led programme. The first ring of Barracuda No. 3 SSN Tourville w
Russia: Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine Tula Celebrates 25-th Anniversary
On Nov 6, crew of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Tula celebrated 25-th anniversary since hoisting of the national naval ensign… [mappress] Source: Russian Navy, November 7, 2012
SSBN Yury Dolgoruky Presented to Russian Navy for Commission
Lead Borei-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Yury Dolgoruky has finished state acceptance trials and is… [mappress] Source: Russian Navy, October 30, 2012; Image: Sevmash
France: Thales Sonars Pass Qualification Sea Trials for FREMM Frigate Programme
The official qualification trials of the sonars for the FREMM frigate programme took place over a six-week period in June and July 2012 on the FREMM frigate Aquitaine in the Bay of Biscay. The successful trials are the culmination of nine months of testing with the UMS 4110 CL bow-mounted sonar and
France: DCNS Celebrates Launch of FREMM Multimission Frigate Normandie
On 18 October 2012, DCNS celebrated the launch of FREMM multimission frigate Normandie in the presence of Jean-Yves Le Drian, French Minister for Defence, and Pierre Moscovici, Minister for the Economy and Finance. This latest success is a further demonstration of DCNS’s industrial vigour and vitali
Two Royal Navy Ships to Visit Belfast, UK
Two Royal Navy ships will visit Belfast this weekend in support of the Armed Forces Careers Exhibition taking place at Holywood. Type 23 frigate HMS Kent and River Class fisheries protection vessel HMS Severn will both berth alongside at Pollock Dock. Arriving first, HMS Severn will sail into port a