Training & Education
USS Green Bay arrives in Thailand for exercise Cobra Gold
The US Navy’s forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) arrived in Thailand ahead of the start of multi-national exercise Cobra Gold 2019. The ship arrived in Sattahip with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) on February 7. Cobra Gold is the largest theater
France’s Naval Group joins forces with Royal IHC on Dutch submarine replacement project
French defense contractor Naval Group has joined forces with Dutch shipbuilder Royal IHC in a bid to secure a contract for the Royal Netherlands Navy’s submarine replacement project. The two companies are combining their experience and expertise in designing and manufacturing complex maritime and de
USS Gerald R. Ford completes Ship Self Defense System live fire test
US Navy’s newly-commissioned aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) recently wrapped up the first-ever live fire test of the latest generation of the Ship Self Defense System, or SSDS, Integrated Combat System on the Self Defense Test Ship. The test successfully engaged an unmanned aerial vehi
Germany issues RFI for new radars for Sachsen-class air defense frigates
Germany’s defense procurement agency BAAINBw is seeking to replace the current SMART-L radars aboard the German Navy’s Sachsen-class (F124) air-defense frigates, according to a request for information (RFI) issued on January 28. As stated in the RFI, the goal is to replace the Dutch-built radars cur
Sunken Norwegian frigate nearly ready for salvage as all torpedoes detonated
All torpedoes from the Royal Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Helge Ingstad have been removed and detonated over a course of two days as navy and civilian crews finalize preparations for the lifting of the ship. The country’s defense ministry did not specify exactly how many Sting Ray torpedoes were det
HMS Montrose visits Darwin on second Asia Pacific port visit
After becoming the first Royal Navy ship to visit Auckland, New Zealand, in 20 years, Type 23 frigate HMS Montrose visited Darwin, Australia. Continuing a trend, the frigate became the first Royal Navy warship in a decade to visit Australia’s northernmost and remotest city. The Plymouth-based warshi
Leonardo to deliver electronic warfare training technology to NATO
NATO’s Joint Electronic Warfare Core Staff (JEWCS) agency has awarded Leonardo a contract worth approximately €180 million to provide new electronic warfare training equipment. According to an announcement from Leonardo, equipment will cover air, land and maritime domains and also includes a capabil
US 2nd Fleet assumes control of first forces at sea after 2018 reestablishment
US Navy Vice Adm. Andrew “Woody” Lewis, the US 2nd Fleet (C2F) Commander, embarked the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), marking the first time the fleet has executed command and control over forces at sea. Lewis was aboard the carrier from January 31 through February 1. Un
US, Spanish, Italian warships start drills with French aircraft carrier off Toulon
Ships form the navies of Spain, Italy, and the US got underway from the French naval base in Toulon on February 3 to join the French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle and ships form its carrier strike group on their final pre-deployment exercise. The carrier is on the final leg of deployment pre
NATO’s SNMG1 readies for exercise Dynamic Guard
Ships from NATO’s Standing Maritime Group ONE (SNMG1) are on a scheduled port visit in Bergen where thy are finalizing planning for Allied Maritime Command led exercise Dynamic Guard 19-1. Hosted by Norway, Dynamic Guard is a multi-national exercise, merged with Norwegian led exercise TG 19-1 and ai
RFA Mounts Bay nets first drugs in the Caribbean
Just weeks after Royal Navy support ship RFA Mounts Bay embarked US Coast Guard personnel for counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean, the team found their first contraband. The Bay-class ship embarked a Dolphin helicopter from the US Coast Guard’s HITRON – Helicopter Interdiction Tactical squ
US, Japan hone maritime patrol coordination
Maritime patrol squadrons from the US Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force met up for a coordinated maritime patrol operational procedures (CMPOP) exercise in Okinawa, Japan, recently. US Navy’s “Golden Swordsmen” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 47 were joined by JMSDF’s Fleet Air Wing (FAW) 5 for
Northrop Grumman gets $55m to deliver additional five MQ-8C Fire Scouts
The US Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Northrop Grumman Systems a $55 million contract to deliver an additional five Fire Scout MQ-8C unmanned air systems and two lightweight fuel cells. The company is expected to complete work on the contract by August 2021. The MQ-8C is the larger of two Fir
US Navy farewells last operational F/A-18C Hornets
The US Navy is set to retire its last F/A-18C Hornet fighters in a final flight ceremony at Naval Air Station Oceana on February 1. The final single-seat, twin-engine, carrier-capable legacy Hornets are still operational with Strike Fighter Squadron 34 and the “Blue Blasters” are the only squadron f