Training & Education
Indian Navy commissions sixth landing craft utility
The Indian Navy has commissioned its sixth landing craft utility (LCU 56) in a milestone for both the navy and shipbuilder Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE). LCU 56 is the sixth of eight units in the class and the 100th navy ship to be delivered by the shipbuilder since 1961. Th
US Navy tests unique vertical take-off UAV
The US Military Sealift Command’s expeditionary fast transport vessel USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) headed out to sea recently to test a range unmanned systems during a two-day underway. One of the less prominent systems that was tested was the V-BAT vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial v
HMS Duncan arrives in the Gulf to bolster merchant shipping protection
Royal Navy destroyer HMS Duncan has arrived in the Persian Gulf where it is set to ensure the safe passage of British-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz following Iran’s seizing of tanker Stena Impero on July 19. Last week the government confirmed that the Royal Navy has been tasked to accom
US Navy Independence-variant LCS starting surface-to-surface missile module testing
The US Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Modules (MM) program is cleared to begin developmental testing following a successful structural test firing of the Surface-to-Surface Missile Module (SSMM) on an Independence-variant LCS. Developmental testing is set to start in August after the test
US Navy picks Northrop Grumman as AN/SPQ-9B radar design agent
The US Navy has selected Northrop Grumman Corporation to be design agent for the AN/SPQ-9B surface search and fire control radar. As design agent, the company will provide support to existing and future systems, troubleshoot issues, perform redesign efforts as parts go obsolete and add new capabilit
Special Operations Forces drill Trojan Footprint expanding from the Baltic
Personnel from ten nations rehearsed the rapid deployment of special operations and armed forces in a drill that is no longer confined to the Baltic region. Taking place this June in Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania, exercise Trojan Footprint 19 was led by Special Operations Command Europe and included
BAE Systems completes P950 autonomous RIB trials
UK defense technology company BAE Systems has completed “one-of-a-kind” trials of the autonomous Pacific 950 rigid inflatable boat (RIB) demonstrator. The company now says that the autonomous technology will allow navies to go beyond the limits of human endurance with unmanned vessels that can trave
German minehunter Weilheim joining NATO mine warfare group SNMCMG1
German Navy Frankenthal-class minehunter FGS Weilheim is set to join the Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) for over four months of joint operations. The vessel will depart its Kiel homeport on July 29 for a two-week at-sea phase before heading to the German Navy’s fire and damage
German NH90 wraps up mission demonstrations ahead of first deliveries
The German Navy’s new NH90 Sea Lion helicopter performed mission demonstrations for its relevant roles earlier this month, ahead of first unit deliveries later this year. The demonstrations included SAR missions, checking navy reconnaissance capabilities, and dropping off commandos and special force
Singapore, Indonesia mark 25th edition of exercise Eagle Indopura
Ships from the navies of the Republic of Singapore and Indonesia are taking part in the 25th edition of exercise Eagle Indopura from July 18 to 25. The exercise is conducted in three phases – the harbor phase in Surabaya, Indonesia; the sea phase in the Java Sea, Karimata Strait and Singapore Strait
French submarine La Minerve found 50 years after disappearance
A French Navy submarine that disappeared over 50 years ago in the Mediterranean Sea has just been discovered, according to an announcement from French defense minister Florence Parly. La Minerve went missing on January 17, 1968, with 52 crew on board. The diesel-electric submarine was taking part in
Royal Navy landing ship Albion ends two-month Baltic Sea mission
Royal Navy landing platform dock HMS Albion returned to her home port of HM Naval Base Devonport in Plymouth, after leading an international task group on two months of exercises in the Baltic Sea. This was Albion’s first Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Maritime Task Group mission that demonstrated
Australia leads its “largest amphibious assault since WWII”
A multinational amphibious landing and offensive assault was part of exercise Talisman Sabre.
Kearsarge amphibious ready group returns from Middle East deployment
Ships from the US Navy’s Kearsarge amphibious ready group (ARG) are set to return to Norfolk on July 18, after eight months of operations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. More than 4,500 sailors and marines are embarked aboard amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), the amphibious trans