Vessels
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 names third towing, salvage, and rescue ship
The third unit in the US Navy’s new class of towing, salvage, and rescue ships will be named Saginaw Ojibwe Anishinabek in honor of the history, service and contributions of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan, the US Navy secretary has announced. The Saginaw Chippewa people are comprised
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
US Navy commissioning destroyer Paul Ignatius (DDG 117)
The US Navy’s newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, the future USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), is set to enter service in a ceremony at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on July 27. Built in the Flight IIA configuration, the ship was launched in November 2016 and delivered in
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
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
Italian aircraft carrier Cavour docks for F-35B upgrades
The 2008-built carrier will be fitted with capability to operate the Joint Strike Fighter.
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
US Navy issues RFP for medium unmanned surface vehicle
The US Naval Sea Systems Command has released a request for proposals (RFP) for the development of the medium unmanned surface vehicle (MUSV). Similarly to the Sea Hunter, MUSV will be a pier-launched, self-deploying modular, open architecture surface vehicle capable of autonomous navigation and mis
Austal launches 12th littoral combat ship Oakland (LCS 24)
Austal USA has launched the US Navy’s 12th Independence-variant littoral combat ship Oakland (LCS 24) at its Mobile, Alabama, shipyard. The ship was launched on July 21 and is scheduled for delivery next year. The future USS Oakland is one of 19 Independence-variant LCSs that will join the fleet. Fo
F-35B-ready amphibious assault ship Tripoli (LHA 7) completes builder’s trials
The US Navy’s amphibious assault ship Tripoli (LHA 7) has completed sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico, testing the ship’s main propulsion and other systems before returning to Huntington Ingalls Industries’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division. The second ship in the America-class spent four days at sea in