Vessels
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
CP Technologies contracted for work on Greek P3B Orion upgrades
CP Technologies (formerly known as Chassis Plans) announced it has been awarded a contract to modernize and update the mission control computers in the P3B Orion aircraft used by the Hellenic Navy and Air Force. The contract was awarded to CP Technologies last year and was prototyped in 12 weeks. CP
France officially orders four FLOTLOG replenishment ships under €1.7 b contract
The French defense procurement agency “Direction Générale de l’Armement” (DGA) on January 30 signed a €1.7 billion contract for the procurement of four new Logistic Support Ships (LSS) for the French Navy as part of the country’s FLOTLOG (Flotte logistique) program. The contract signing comes three
AMSC to deliver degaussing system for Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28)
Energy solutions provider AMSC announced it has been contracted to deliver a high temperature superconductor (HTS) based ship protection system (SPS) for the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28). This contract follows a long lead order from the US Navy for a ship prot
Seventeenth Virginia-class submarine entering service this week
The US Navy is scheduled to commission fast attack submarine USS South Dakota (SSN 790) in a ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, on Saturday, February 2. The principal speaker will be US Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota. The submarine’s sponsor is Mrs. Deanie Demps
US Navy issues RFP for TH-XX helicopter trainer
The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on January 28 issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the procurement of new TH-XX helicopter training aircraft. The new TH-XX aircraft will replace the TH-57B/C aircraft currently used by the US Navy for advanced helicopter training for undergraduate pilot
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
US Navy contracts Vigor for dry docking overhaul of USS Coronado
The US Navy awarded Vigor Marine a contract worth up to $60 million with all options exercised to complete the drydocking selected restricted availability (DSRA) of USS Coronado (LCS-4). Work will be performed at Vigor’s Portland shipyard. Vigor will begin work on the USS Coronado (LCS 4) in March a
Construction starts on first US Coast Guard offshore patrol cutter
Construction on the first ship in a new class of US Coast Guard cutters started with a steel cutting ceremony at Eastern Shipbuilding Group’s facilities in Panama City, Florida, on January 7. The steel cutting for offshore patrol cutter (OPC) Argus (WMSM-915) was a significant milestone for the comp
US Navy lays keel for future USNS Newport (EPF 12)
Austal USA hosted a keel laying and authentication ceremony for the US Navy’s twelfth Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel, the Newport (EPF 12), at its Alabama shipyard on January 29. The keel was said to be “truly and fairly laid” as it was authenticated by Charlotte Dorrance Marshall, signin
NNS delivers first 3-D printed metal part for aircraft carrier installation
Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division announced it has delivered the first 3-D-printed metal part to the US Navy for installation on an aircraft carrier. The milestone was recognized during a brief ceremony on Monday at Naval Station Norfolk. The part was presented to Rea
Davie Shipbuilding: Canada should reconsider need for second AOR
Quebec-based shipbuilder Davie Shipbuilding has urged Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau to reevaluate the government’s decision not to order a second supply ship for the Royal Canadian Navy. Speaking in Quebec last Friday, Justin Trudeau told an audience that the Canadian Armed Forces did an as