Vessels
Virginia-class submarine USS Mississippi on third visit to Yokosuka
US Navy’s Virginia-class attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka on February 12, for the third visit to Japan during her deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. “This kind of visit strengthens the already positive alliance between the U.S. and Japan through the
US Navy names new EPF, LCS ships
The US Navy has unveiled the names of new expeditionary fast transport (EPF) and littoral combat ships. Richard V. Spencer, Secretary of the Navy, announced on February 13 that the next Freedom and Independence variant littoral combat ships will be named USS Nantucket (LCS 27) and USS Savannah (LCS
Australia’s ASC appoints CEO and managing director
Australian shipbuilder ASC on February 14 announced the appointment of a chief executive officer and managing director. The newly-appointed CEO Stuart Whiley has been interim CEO of ASC Pty Ltd since 2014. “Stuart brings a deep understanding of what it takes to create and sustain sovereign naval ind
DARPA looking to tap into sea life for US Navy sensor systems
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced it wants to find a way to tap into sea life and help the US Navy to monitor the world’s oceans more efficiently. The US military deploys networks of manned and unmanned platforms and sensors to monitor adversary activity, but the sca
USS Ross completes war-at-sea drill with Albanian Navy
US Navy destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) completed a war-at-sea exercise (WASEX) with Albanian Naval Brigade patrol vessel ALS Iliria (P 131) in the Adriatic Sea on February 7. The two vessels completed the drill before the US destroyer pulled into the Albanian city of Vlore for a regularly-scheduled por
The US Navy will not reach its 355 ship goal until 2050
The US Navy has submitted its long-range ship acquisition plan to Congress under which it expects to reach its 355-ship fleet by the early 2050s. Released February 12, the 30-Year Ship Acquisition Plan is a Congressionally-mandated report which describes the Department of the Navy’s long-range shipb
Vigor gets $14M contract for USNS Charles Drew dry docking
The US Navy’s Military Sealift Command has awarded Vigor Marine a $14 million contract for the overhaul and dry docking of dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10). During the 47-calendar day shipyard availability, Vigor will be furnishing general services for the ship, forward aqueous
US Coast Guard to offload 7 tons of cocaine in Port Everglades
The US Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton is scheduled to offload approximately 7 tons of cocaine worth an estimated $190 million wholesale. The cutter will offload the narcotics on February 13 in Port Everglades, Florida. The drugs were interdicted in seven separate interdictions off the coasts of Mexico,
USS Bonhomme Richard arrives in Thailand for Cobra Gold 2018
US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) pulled into Laem Chabang, Thailand, on Feb. 11, where its sailors and marines are to participate in exercise Cobra Gold 2018 (CG18). The CG 18 opening ceremony took place February 13, marking the beginning of one of the Indo-Pacific region
HMS Ocean returns to Plymouth with 203-meter decommissioning pennant
Royal Navy helicopter carrier HMS Ocean on Friday returned to Devonport Naval Base for the final time as a commissioned Royal Navy ship. The flagship entered Plymouth welcomed by well-wishers and flanked by landing craft and tugs firing water hoses high into the air. The amphibious helicopter and co
US Navy’s sub tenders sail on into the 2020s
Article by Peter Ong On January 14, 2018, the USS Frank Cable sub tender turned 40 years old since christening on January 14, 1978. Currently, the U.S. Navy (USN) has two 1970s-built submarine tenders, the USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) and the USS Frank Cable (AS 40). Both are now home-ported in Guam as
JMSDF ships call on Brunei
A task group of three Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships (JMSDF) arrived in Brunei on February 11 for a regularly scheduled port call. Asagiri-class destroyers JS Sawagiri and JS Yamagiri and Hatsuyuki-class destroyer JS Yamayuki were welcomed by the Royal Brunei Navy to the Muara Port. The hea
US Coast Guard receives 27th fast response cutter ‘Richard Snyder’
The Coast Guard received its 27th fast response cutter (FRC), Richard Snyder, in Key West, Florida, on February 8. According to the Coast Guard, the cutter will be the first FRC stationed in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, and will be commissioned in April. Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Richard T. Snyd
BAE Systems gets $22.7M for USS Chafee repairs
The US Navy has awarded BAE Systems Hawaii Shipyards a $22.7 million contract for scheduled selected repair availability (SRA) on Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90). According to the US Department of Defense, the focal point of the work is to perform main engine intake and uptake comp