Vessels
General Dynamics gets funds for additional two Arleigh Burke destroyers
The US Navy has awarded General Dynamics Bath Iron Works a contract modification fully funding the construction of two new Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, DDG 126 and DDG 127. DDG 126 was awarded under the contract that was part of a multi-year competition for DDG 51-class destroyers in 2013. DDG 12
USS Chicago arrives to Hawaii, completing homeport change
US Navy’s Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721) has completed her homeport change, arriving to Hawaii from Guam on September 28. “The crew and I were sad to leave Guam, but at the same time we’re excited to see our new home and start the next chapter for Chicago,” said Cmdr.
Hospital ship USNS Comfort heading for Puerto Rico
US Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 19), with over 700 navy medicine personnel aboard, is set to sail for Puerto Rico and hurricane relief efforts on April 29. A total of approximately 750 navy medicine staff is what it is needed to complete the medical manning needs to support the 250-bed ship
Canadian frigate HMCS Halifax returns to service after docking maintenance
The ship’s company of the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Halifax marched to Halifax Shipyard on September 27 to accept their frigate after a docking work period (DWP). HMCS Halifax entered the graving dock at Halifax Shipyard on October 20, 2016, for routine maintenance and upgrades to ensure the
US Navy’s first laser-equipped ship returns to US ahead of retiring
The US Navy’s afloat forward staging base-interim USS Ponce (AFSB(I) 15) returned to Naval Station Norfolk September 27 after spending over five years overseas. The navy’s first laser-weapon system fitted ship returned from the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations and is set to be decommissioned and di
Chinese Navy task group heads for deployment’s 19th country visit
A Chinese Navy three-ship task group has concluded a three-day visit to Brunei Darussalam and is currently en route to Cambodia. Composed of Type 052C destroyer Changchun, Type 054A frigate Jingzhou and Type 903 replenishment ship Chaohu, the task group started its deployment on April 23 and has vis
Italy, France announce possible merger of Naval Group and Fincantieri
Whether Europe sees the creation of a “naval Airbus” will be known by June 2018. That is the date by which French and Italian shipbuilding giants Naval Group and Fincantieri are to define “a roadmap detailing the principles of the future alliance”. The announcement of the possible merger was made in
USS Nimitz achieves 100,000th aircraft launch milestone
The lead ship of the US Navy’s Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers launched the 100,000th aircraft from catapult two, marking the second time the ship has achieved this milestone. Catapult one launched its 100,000th aircraft on October 7, 2009. An F/A-18E Super Hornet, from the “Blue Diam
US Navy lays keel for 10th expeditionary fast transport vessel ‘Burlington’
The US Navy has marked the construction start for its 10th expeditionary fast transport (EPF) vessel, Burlington (EPF 10), with a keel laying ceremony on September 26. The keel was said to be “truly and fairly laid” as it was authenticated by William Pfister, vice president emeritus of Austal USA, b
GE signs MoU with RJE Global for Australian Navy turbine assembly
Gas turbines for the Royal Australian Navy’s Future Frigate program could be built by Australian RJE Global under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with GE’s Marine Solutions. GE’s Marine Solutions said in an announcement on September 27 that RJE would assemble GE LM2500 gas turbine modules
SEA links Boeing’s Chinook with its SAIF simulation software
Prior to the Chinook helicopter starting sea trials aboard the Royal Navy’s first MARS tanker, UK company SEA has performed a successful simulated flight trial. The company is providing modelling and simulation support to the UK MoD Chinook project team as a method of assessing key aircraft handling
Peruvian Navy decommissions ‘Almirante Grau’, picks frigate ‘Montero’ as new flagship
The Peruvian Navy decommissioned its long-time flagship B.A.P. Almirante Grau after 45 years of service during a ceremony on September 26. B.A.P. Almirante Grau was replaced as fleet flagship by B.A.P. Montero, a Carvajal-class frigate built by Servicio Industrial de la Marina (SIMA) and commissione
Royal Navy’s third Type 26 frigate to be named Belfast
The Royal Navy’s third Type 26, or City-class, frigate will be named Belfast, First Sea Lord Admiral Philip Jones announced on September 27. Whilst the second to be named, HMS Belfast is Ship 3 in the Type 26 programme. Ship 1 is called HMS Glasgow and Ship 2 is yet to be named. The future […
Australia facing submarine capability gap, report suggests
The complicated process of designing and building new submarines from scratch could leave Australia with no submarines in its fleet over a period of several years, an independent report has warned. The Insight Economics report, commissioned by Gary Johnston from Submarines for Australia, suggests th