French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian on Friday authorized shipbuilder DCNS to start the construction of five FTI (Fregate de Taille Intermediaire) medium-size frigates for the French Navy. The 4,000-tonne front-line frigates, equipped for anti-submarine warfare with widened self-defence and
The Italian Navy received its sixth FREMM frigate from Fincantieri during a ceremony held at the shipbuilder’s Muggiano (La Spezia) shipyard on April 20. The Carlo Bergamini-class frigate Luigi Rizzo is the second general-purpose variant with the previous four vessels being built for the anti-submar
A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft squadron completed a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations (AOO) as the last P-8A Poseidon returned to Naval Air Station Jacksonville on April 8, 2017. The “Pelicans” of Patrol Squadron 45 (VP-45), attached to Commander, Ta
The Royal Australian Navy has retired the Seahawk helicopter ‘Skeletor’ after more than 28 years of service and a career logging 6,200 airframe hours. Navy took the opportunity to retire the anti-submarine helicopter S-70B-2, serial N24-011 during HMAS Arunta’s recent maintenance period in Bahrain w
U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class submarine USS Providence (SSN 719) returned to the fleet on April 7 after completing a maintenance period that will allow her to complete her remaining scheduled deployments before being retired. The submarine started her pre-inactivation restricted availability (PIRA)
The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded BAE Systems Land & Armaments a $40 million contract ordering more Mk 41 vertical launch system (VLS) canisters for its guided missile cruisers and destroyers. The contract modification also includes orders for ally navy platforms. Mk 41 VLS is used to l
The U.S. Navy wants to increase the anti-air warfare capabilities of the future frigate and is looking at having more than the current two hull designs for consideration, according to several media reports. The new plans would break away from previous ones that included simply up-gunning and up-sizi
French shipbuilder DCNS delivered the Marine Nationale’s fourth FREMM multi-mission frigate Auvergne on April 11, in Toulon. Auvergne is also the fourth anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant ship. The French Navy has a total of eight frigates in the class on order, six ASW and two anti-air warfare va
U.S. Navy sailors assigned to the Eisenhower carrier strike group have been ready to deploy on short notice ever since they returned from their 2016 deployment. Now, approximately 6,000 sailors are conducting a sustainment exercise (SUSTEX) to maintain their readiness and capability to deploy should
The Royal Thai Navy has contracted German defense contractor Rheinmetall for the delivery of an additional training simulator. Under the contract, Rheinmetall’s Simulation and Training unit will supply Thailand with a turnkey system known as the Naval Warfare Training Simulator (NWTS). Worth several
L3 Technologies announced on April 4th, that it has acquired OceanServer Technology, Inc. The acquisition was completed on March 17, 2017, and the terms were not disclosed. The business was renamed L3 OceanServer and will be integrated into the company’s Sensor Systems segment. Based in Fall River,
Raytheon Anschütz announces the successful integration of Warship Electronic Chart Display Information System (WECDIS) into their Integrated Navigation and Bridge Systems (INBS) for the UK Royal Navy Type 26 Global Combat Ships. In support of the Type 26 Global Combat Ship program, Raytheon Anschütz
U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-Class fast attack submarine USS Pasadena (SSN 752) completed a six-month deployment and returned to her homeport in San Diego, March 30. According to Cmdr. Ken Douglas, Pasadena’s commanding officer, the submarine steamed more than 40,000 miles, completed two major missions v
French shipbuilder DCNS has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indonesian shipyard PT PAL to increase cooperation in the fields of submarine and surface ship construction. The MoU confirmation comes following the visit of French president François Hollande to Indonesia. Indonesia wants
