Vessels
Fincantieri launches Italian Navy logistic support ship ‘Vulcano’
The Italian Navy’s LSS logistic support ship Vulcano was launched in a June 22 ceremony at Fincantieri’s Muggiano (La Spezia) shipyard. The ceremony was attended by Italian Minister of Defence, Elisabetta Trenta, the Chief of Defense, General Claudio Graziano, and the Chief of the Navy, Admiral Valt
Canadian Coast Guard to acquire three interim icebreakers
The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is to receive three icebreakers to support its operations during the upcoming icebreaking season. As explained, the ships would provide interim capability for the coast guard, while replacement vessels are being built under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. Specifica
SM-2 missile fails to launch after booster burns out inside German air defense frigate VLS
A Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) failed to leave the MK. 41 vertical launch system after the rocket booster burned out while the missile was still inside its canister during a live-firing drill conducted by German air defense frigate FGS Sachsen. Nobody was hurt during the accident, the German Navy said
Aerojet Rocketdyne contracted to develop prototype MK48 torpedo propulsion system
The US Office of Naval Research recently awarded Aerojet Rocketdyne a $2.6 million contract to start work on developing a prototype torpedo propulsion system under the agency’s Torpedo Advanced Propulsion System (TAPS) program. The primary goal of the program is to improve the engine efficiency of t
Kearsarge ARG ships get underway for first East Coast SWATT
US Navy ships from the amphibious ready group assembled around USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) got underway from Morehead City, North Carolina, June 21, to start the navy’s first East Coast surface warfare advanced tactical training (SWATT) exercise. In addition to Kearsarge, ships taking part in the first Ea
European Maritime Force shapes up for Portuguese drill Swordfish 2018
Warships from Italy, France, Portugal, Spain and Great Britain gathered in the Portuguese port of Lisbon on June 18 for the activation of the European Maritime Force (EUROMARFOR). The non-standing force was activated after a meeting of the political-military working group of EUROMARFOR concluded in
USS Farragut forced into maintenance in Norway
US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class USS Farragut (DDG 99) was underway as part of the Harry S. Truman carrier strike group when a cooling fan failure forced the US Navy to carry out underway repairs on the destroyer in Norway. USS Farragut was scheduled to take part in an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exer
USS Higgins returns from action-packed deployment
US Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) wrapped up a seven-month deployment to the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation, returning to its homeport of San Diego on June 21. While deployed, Higgins conducted security, stability, and freedom of navigation operations, observed foreign mili
USS Harry S. Truman visits France after short OIR stint
US Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) has arrived in Marseille, France, two months into its deployment to Europe and Africa. The aircraft carrier entered Marseille on June 21 for a regularly scheduled port visit. Truman’s France visit comes shortly after the carrier’s
Royal Navy experts train with Vietnam Coast Guard, Navy personnel
Royal Navy’s International Maritime Training Team visited Vietnam recently to help train Vietnam Coast Guard personnel. As part of a program to support and enhance the ability of the Vietnam Coast Guard to monitor and police Vietnam’s internationally-recognized Exclusive Economic Zone, instructors f
HMS Queen Elizabeth aces first refueling at sea
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has recently completed her first ever operational refueling at sea. After a dry run earlier in the year, HMS Queen Elizabeth now successfully took on fuel from RFA Tidespring, another brand new ship purposely built to support the two new aircraft carri
Atlas Elektronik, Thales to deliver combat systems for new German K130 corvettes
German maritime technology firm Atlas Elektronik and Thales Deutschland have been contracted to deliver combat systems for the five new K130 corvettes that are to be built for the German Navy. In addition to combat systems, the contract will see the two companies set up and deliver a test and traini
Kongsberg gets $27m for German, Norwegian Naval Strike Missile deliveries
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace AS has been awarded a 220 million NOK (approx. US$26.8m) contract to deliver its Naval Strike Missile (NSM) to the navies of Germany and Norway. The contract was awarded to Kongsberg by the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency following a February 2017 agreement between No
USS Coronado begins underway operational testing of MQ-8C Fire Scout
US Navy littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) started the underway operational testing phase of the MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter. The latest set of trials began June 15, off San Diego. The operations are a continuation of MQ-8C operational testing that began in April. This next phase is