Vessels
UK F-35Bs start vertical landing pad training
The UK’s short take off vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B jets have started training on the first of three vertical landing pads at RAF Marham. The VLPs are built for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation by a joint venture between Galliford Try and Lagan Construction. The Norfolk site is the main op
Saab receives US Coast Guard OPC radar order
The US Navy has awarded Saab a second contract for the delivery of its Sea Giraffe AMB multi mode radar (MMR) for the US Coast Guard’s offshore patrol cutters (OPC). Saab received the initial order worth $16.8 million for the MMR for the OPCs in October 2017. Options for further deliveries could bri
Spanish Navy deploys LPD Castilla to counter-piracy operation Atalanta
Spanish Navy’s Galicia-class landing platform dock ESPS Castilla got underway from her homeport at Rota Naval Base on July 19 to join the counter-piracy operation Atalanta off the Horn of Africa. ESPS Castilla will operate two SH-60 helicopters from the 10th aircraft squadron during the deployment a
UK MoD suspends Type 31 frigate program
The UK defense ministry’s project of acquiring “low-cost” Type 31 frigates has been brought to a halt due to what the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) office described as a lack of “compliant bids”. The process is now being streamlined, according to a IHS Jane’s report, and will be restarted in
US Coast Guard issues RFI for Polar Star icebreaker life extension
The US Coast Guard has issued a request for information (RFI) for a service life extension project (SLEP) for heavy icebreaker ‘Polar Star’. The service life extension project (SLEP) is being undertaken as part of the In-Service Vessel Sustainment Program (ISVS) and will extend the service life of t
NAVCAD contracts Insitu for more ScanEagle UAS deliveries to Afghanistan
The US Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAVCAD) has awarded Insitu Inc. a $10.8 million contract to deliver an additional 27 ScanEagle unmanned aircraft systems to Afghanistan. In addition to the systems, the contract includes 37 payloads and spares in support of the government of the Isl
USNS Spearhead deploys for Southern Partnership Station
The US Navy’s expeditionary fast transport USNS Spearhead (T-EPF 1) got underway from Virginia to join Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2018 – an annual series of US Navy deployments focused on exchanges with regional partner nation militaries and security forces. Spearhead will conduct subject ma
BNS Godetia becomes NATO SNMCMG1 flagship
Belgian Navy command and support ship BNS Godetia assumed the role of NATO Standing Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) flagship on July 22, taking over from Dutch submarine support ship HNLMS Mercuur (A900). Despite having 780,000 nautical miles on the clock, Godetia brings a wealth of capabilit
US Coast Guard commissioning 28th fast response cutter ‘Nathan Bruckenthal’
The US Coast Guard is set to commission its newest fast response cutter, the Nathan Bruckenthal, in a ceremony on July 25. The commissioning ceremony at Alexandria City Pier, will be attended by Coast Guard Commandant, Adm. Karl Schultz, and the crew of the coast guard’s 28th fast response cutter. T
French Jeanne D’Arc task group returns from five-month Asia-Pacific deployment
Mistral-class amphibious assault ship Dixmude and La Fayette-class frigate FS Surcouf wrapped up the French Navy’s annual Jeanne D’Arc mission returning to naval base Toulon on July 19. The two ships got underway in late February and sailed a total of 26,500 nautical miles over a period of 145 days.
Canadian frigate HMCS St. John’s returns from SNMG1 deployment
Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS St. John’s returned to her homeport in Halifax on July 23 after spending six months deployed to NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2). Joining SNMG1 on January 18, 2018, the frigate contributed to NATO operations as part of the Canadian operation Reassurance. Duri
Royal Navy survey ship HMS Enterprise returns from year-long NATO deployment
Enterprise spent the year as flagship of SNMCMG2
USS Ronald Reagan back in Japan after Indo Pacific patrol
US Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and ships from its carrier strike group returned to Yokosuka, Japan, on July 24, after three months of operations. During the three months, Ronald Reagan was joined by Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Antietam (CG 54
Fire breaks out aboard under-construction Italian Navy support ship Vulcano
A fire broke out late Sunday aboard the logistic support ship Vulcano which is under construction at Fincantieri’s Mugiano shipyard in La Spezia. According to Italian media reports, the fire broke out around 22:30, local time, and originated in the ship’s engine room. The Italian National Firefighte