Vessels
USS George H.W. Bush dry-docks for 2.5-year overhaul
The US Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) has arrived at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) where it will spend the next 28 months, undergoing planned maintenance. The 103,000 ton, 1,092-foot aircraft carrier completed the dry docking procedure on February 21. The dry-dock
Finland buying Raytheon’s ESSM for Squadron 2020 corvettes
The Finnish defense ministry on February 21 announced it is buying Raytheon’s Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) systems for its Pohjanmaa-class corvettes of the Squadron 2020 project. The surface-to-air missile system (ITO20) will be installed on all four ships in the class. The exact number of miss
French Navy’s fifth FREMM frigate officially enters service
FS Bretagne, the French Navy’s fifth FREMM frigate, has officially entered service after completing its maiden deployment. The French Navy admits ships into active service only after they complete their first operational tasking. Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) configured FS Bretagne started constructi
Royal Navy tanker RFA Tidesurge enters service
The Royal Navy’s third Tide-class tanker RFA Tidesurge entered service in a ceremony on February 20. The 39,000-tonne fleet replenishment tanker is the latest of four new Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships. “Royal Fleet Auxiliary Tidesurge is the third of our four new fleet replenishment tankers,” said Com
GE to deliver gas turbines for new Indian Navy P17A frigates
GE Marine on February 20 announced it has been selected to deliver gas turbine auxiliary equipment for the LM2500 engines that will power the Indian Navy’s new P17A frigates. The contract was awarded to GE by India-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engin
Essex ARG visits Hawaii on return leg of 8-month deployment
Ships from the US Navy’s Essex amphibious ready group (ARG) assembled around Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) paid a two-day visit to Pearl Harbor on February 18. Transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23), amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), USS Essex and the emb
Danish frigate gets underway for deployment with French aircraft carrier
Royal Danish Navy frigate HDMS Niels Juel got underway from Naval Base Korsør en route to the Mediterranean Sea port of Toulon where it will join French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle for almost two months of training and operations. Denmark’s defense ministry expressed its interest in sendin
Royal Navy frigate joins US Navy oiler for South China Sea drills
US Navy fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200) and Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose (F236) met up in the South China Sea on February 18 for a series of maritime security and logistics training. The drills involved Royal Marine commandos, Royal Navy sailors and Guadalupe crew members. Dur
Australia’s Collins-class could need more upgrades before Future Submarines arrive
The Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of six Collins-class submarines will likely necessitate substantial upgrades to remain in service until the new SEA 1000 submarines start arriving, navy chief Vice Admiral Mike Noonan indicated at an Australian senate hearing. “We’re expecting that we will upgrade a
Ultra Electronics to lead Canadian Surface Combatant underwater systems integration
Ultra Electronics is part of the winning Canadian Surface Combatant team.
Abu Dhabi Ship Building, Italy’s Leonardo team up for naval collaboration
Abu Dhabi Ship Building has signed a memorandum of understanding with Italy’s Leonardo to step up cooperation in the naval sector at the IDEX International Defence Exhibition in Abu Dhabi. The new MoU will see the two sides collaborate to create a combat management system (CMS) integration laborator
US destroyer, NATO ships enter Black Sea after Dardanelles Strait transit
US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook and ships from NATO’s Standing Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) entered the Black Sea on February 19. Donald Cook entered the Black Sea after last visiting the region in January 2019, when it visited Batumi, Georgia and con
Dynamic Guard concludes off Norway
NATO-led exercise Dynamic Guard concluded off the coast on February 15. Ships from Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG 1), commanded by U.S. Rear Adm. Edward Cashman, were joined by other ally units in the region for ten days of evolutions. The exercise is executed concurrently with Norwegian led
In a first: Italian Navy uses new M-40 target drones in carrier protection exercise
The Italian Navy recently used the new Leonardo-developed M-40 target drones in an exercise involving the aircraft carrier ITS Cavour and Durand de la Penne-class destroyer ITS Francesco Mimbelli. The exercise saw the aircraft carrier and its complement of AV8B+ fighter aircraft training alongside t