New Zealand is buying four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from the United States to replace its ageing Orions, the government announced July 9. The four aircraft will replace the six P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) that have been operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force
A US Navy sailor assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) died from injuries sustained during small boat operations on July 8. According to the US Naval Forces Central Command, the sailor was medically evacuated to a hospital in Aqaba, Jordan, and was pronounced dead at 12
US Navy littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) completed the first comprehensive Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) for the MQ-8C Fire Scout on June 29. The ship’s crew worked with the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VX-1) for the IOT&E which will inform decision-makers on how be
The US Navy’s tenth expeditionary fast transport vessel Burlington (EPF 10) completed builder’s trials on June 29. The week of trials began dockside at the Austal USA Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. EPF 10 engaged in pierside dock trials with the Supervisor of Shipbuilding Gulf Coast working with the s
The Military Sealift Command’s newest expeditionary sea base USNS Hershel “Woody” Williams (T-ESB 4) completed her maiden voyage on July 5, arriving at Naval Station Norfolk from San Diego, California. USNS Hershel “Woody” Williams is the second unit of the ESB variant, delivered to the navy in Febr
The General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) proposed design for the US Navy’s MQ-25 unmanned aerial refueling aircraft is using an integrated fuel tank structure to maximize fuel offload. GA-ASI said it used its knowledge of advanced composite aircraft structures to develop integrated fuel tan
The Brazilian Navy has cancelled its participation in the multinational naval drill Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2018 due to operational schedules. This is according to a report by USNI News, which said the Brazilian Navy’s withdrawal from the exercise was confirmed by the US 3rd Fleet. Brazil was ex
The United States Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) received the new Airborne Systems Training and Research Support (ASTARS) III aircraft at Naval Air Station Patuxent River on June 29. ASTARS III is the third, and newest, generation of flying classroom for the USNTPS curriculum. The aircraft is a cu
US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) met up with the Egyptian Navy frigate El Zafer (F951) for a passing exercise (PASSEX) in the US 5th Fleet area of operations. PASSEX is an exercise in which multiple ships, operating in close vicinity, practice evolutions together to improv
The US Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Huntington Ingalls Industries another contract modification worth $27 million for work on the repairs of Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62). The destroyer was heavily damaged in a collision with Philippine-flagged merchant vessel ACX Cr
Chilean Navy’s diesel-electric submarine CS Simpson (SS 21) arrived at Naval Base Point Loma on June 26 as part of the Diesel-Electric Submarine Initiative (DESI) program. Hosted by Commander, Submarine Squadron 11 (CSS-11), the submarine and its crew will spend the next three months in San Diego, c
US Navy aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman has departed the Mediterranean Sea after three months of operations and is currently working with the French Air Force in The Atlantic Ocean. From July 2 to 6, embarked aircraft from Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) are conducting integrated flight operations
The US Navy amphibious ready group led by Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) returned to homeport on June 28, after completing the Navy’s first East Coast ARG Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise. SWATT is led by mentors and warfare tactics instructors (W
The US Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Bell Boeing JPO a $4,2 billion contract for V-22 tiltrotor aircraft construction. As informed, the contract provides for the manufacture and delivery of 39 CMV-22B aircraft for the US Navy, 34 MV-22B aircraft for the Marine Corps, one CV-22B for the Air F
