Vessels
Gryphon Technologies bags MDA’s Sea-Based X-Band Radar support contract
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency has awarded Gryphon Technologies, LC a $57 million contract to provide mission integration services in support of the Sea-Based X-Band Radar as it conducts its strategic mission. The SBX is part of the missile defense agency’s ballistic missile defense system. The SBX
Only NATO member without army hosts anti submarine warfare drill
Having no standing army and operating just four coast guard vessels has not prevented NATO-member Iceland from hosting one of the organization’s largest anti-submarine warfare exercises. From June 26 to July 8, NATO ships and submarines will gather in Iceland for a series of drills aimed at improvin
Japan Coast Guard orders three Airbus H225 helicopters
The Japan Coast Guard has awarded Airbus Helicopters a contract for the delivery of three additional H225 Super Puma helicopters. This new order will bring the JCG’s total H225 fleet to nine units by February 2020. The JCG already placed an order for a sixth H225 in 2016, which will be delivered in
US Navy contracts Leidos for AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 ASW system installation
The U.S. Navy has awarded Leidos a $27.4 million contract modification that covers costs of waterfront support and the installation of the Navy’s AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 surface ship undersea warfare systems. The AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 is a surface ship undersea warfare combat system with the capabilities to searc
Belgian Navy picks SeeByte for unmanned systems software delivery
The Belgian Navy has selected Batelle’s SeeByte to deliver its software and personnel training for the operation of unmanned maritime systems. The company’s SeeTrack software package will be integrated onto the Belgian AUV fleet which will be deployed for mine counter measures (MCM). The announcemen
USS Essex returns to sea after maintenance
The U.S. Navy’s Wasp-class multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) departed her homeport of San Diego, June 19 to recertify the ship after its maintenance availability. Essex has undergone more than a year of planned maintenance availability and is now testing its systems to return it
EMSA picks UAVs for surveillance activities
The European Maritime Safety Agency has picked a fixed-wing and a rotary-wing unmanned air vehicle to aid its border surveillance and control activities, according to two company announcements. The Tekever and Collecte Localisation Satellites consortium announced it has been contracted by EMSA to us
Airbus starts autonomous flights of VSR700 Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV)
Starting autonomous flight trials of its VSR700 Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV) demonstrator, Airbus Helicopters has come a step closer to the first flight of the actual VSR700 prototype in 2018. A light military rotary-wing tactical unmanned aerial vehicle, the VSR700 is being developed jointly by
Australian Navy completes MRH90 multi-role helicopter trials
Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Anzac has recently completed MRH90 trials off the east coast of Australia enhancing multi-role helicopter support to the navy fleet. In a joint activity conducted during the months of May and June, HMAS Anzac embarked an MRH90 flight from 808 Squadron for a trial d
Maiden voyage: USS John Finn transits Panama Canal
Future USS John Finn (DDG 113), the U.S. Navy’s 63rd Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and the first of the DDG 51 Flight IIA restart ships, has transited the Panama Canal on her maiden voyage from Mississippi to Hawaii. Launched on March 28, 2015, and christened on May 2, 2015, John Finn sailed away fr
Boeing wins three-year contract for Indian Navy P-8I upkeep
The Indian Navy awarded Boeing a three-year contract earlier this month to continue support of the Indian Navy’s fleet of P-8I maritime patrol aircraft. In addition to field and logistics service representatives, the contract includes engineering, support and planning. The scope will also include ro
Royal Navy minehunter starts sea trials after 18-month refit
Royal Navy’s Hunt-class mine counter measure vessel HMS Brocklesby has started her sea trials after spending 18 months in refit. According to shipbuilder BAE Systems, the trials started four months earlier than usual. Despite undergoing the largest work package for a Royal Navy mine countermeasure v
USS Ronald Reagan, carrier strike group ships pull into Singapore
The U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and her accompanying ships USS McCampbell (DDG 85), USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Barry (DDG 52) arrived in Singapore for a port visit. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), with the embarked Carrier Ai
US Navy sets commissioning date for Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)
The U.S. Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), is set to be commissioned during a ceremony that will be held at Naval Station Norfolk on July 22. CVN 78 is the first new U.S. aircraft carrier design in 40 years. Despite of challenges presented by integrating a multitude