Vessels
Australia could benefit from shorter warship service life, study suggests
Reducing the service life of major Royal Australian Navy ships from 30 to 20 years could prove beneficial both for the navy and the Australian shipbuilding industry, a study carried out by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) suggests. The study was done in light of current Australian Na
US Coast Guard to refit Navy training craft
The U.S. Navy is joining forces with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to refit and modernize up to five of the Yard Patrol (YP) 676 class training craft. Work will be performed at the USCG Yard in Baltimore, Maryland, and will allow the midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) to continue training onb
BAE Systems gets post shakedown contract for two US Navy destroyers
The U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair a $19.4 million contract to perform post shakedown availability (PSA) work on the U.S. Navy’s two new Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers. The contract will see BAE Systems perform maintenance and eventual rep
US Navy ships conduct floating pier deployment drills in Korea
U.S. Navy’s Maritime Prepositioning Force ships USNS Pililaau (T-AK 304) and USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo (T-AK 3008) recently tested their skills in deploying the Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS), a floating pier-like causeway system. The INLS is a sea state three (SS3) capable system comprised
US Coast Guard commissions fast response cutter John McCormick
The U.S. Coast Guard commissioned its newest fast response cutter John McCormick during an April 12 ceremony at the Alaskan Ketchikan Base. Built under the Coast Guard’s Sentinel-class FRC program, the CGC John McCormick is the first of six fast response cutters that will homeport in Alaska and the
Fincantieri signs deal with France for STX France take over
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri announced on April 12 that it has signed a heads of terms agreement with France for the acquisition of STX France. The French state was represented by the Agence des Participations de l’Etat (APE), Fincantieri said. STX France is owned by South Korean STX Offshore and
US Navy surface action group makes first stop in Hawaii
The U.S. Navy’s Sterett-Dewey surface action group (Sterett-Dewey SAG) arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, April 11, for the first stop of the group’s Western Pacific deployment. The group is composed of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Dewey (DDG 105) who
Germany pulls tanker from NATO group after engine failure
German Navy tanker ‘Spessart’ had to be towed home from UK waters after experiencing problems with its engine during the Joint Warrior drill off Scotland. The 40-year-old ship broke down on March 27 and the extent of damage is yet to be determined, German Kieler Nachrichten reported. Spessart withdr
Japan plans to join US carrier group heading to North Korea
Japan Maritime Self Defense Force ships might join the U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson for naval drills as the group of ships centered around the aircraft carrier heads for the Korean Peninsula. Japan would dispatch its destroyers when the U.S. ships enter the East China Sea, Reuters re
US Navy MQ-8C Fire Scout completes initial littoral combat ship testing
The U.S. Navy’s MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter completed the initial testing phase aboard a littoral combat ship returning from USS Montgomery (LCS-8) on April 11. The Fire Scout test team along with USS Montgomery sailors conducted dynamic interface testing to verify the MQ-8C launch and reco
Philippine fishermen allowed off Scarborough Shoal under close Chinese Coast Guard watch
Filipino fishermen are once again allowed to fish in the contested waters off Scarborough Shoal under Chinese Coast Guard supervision, China’s foreign ministry spokeswoman confirmed during a regular press conference on Monday. China has given Filipino fishermen access to the waters, based on the “fr
French Navy receives fourth FREMM frigate ‘Auvergne’
French shipbuilder DCNS delivered the Marine Nationale’s fourth FREMM multi-mission frigate Auvergne on April 11, in Toulon. Auvergne is also the fourth anti-submarine warfare (ASW) variant ship. The French Navy has a total of eight frigates in the class on order, six ASW and two anti-air warfare va
Pacific Partnership 2017 reaches Malaysia
The U.S.-led humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission Pacific Partnership 2017 has arrived in Malaysia. Embarked aboard Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4), servicemen arrived in Port Klang on April 8. The arrival marks Malaysia’s 1
Makin Island concludes Hong Kong visit
U.S. Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) wrapped up a four-day visit to Hong Kong setting sail from port on April 11. The visit allowed nearly 2,500 sailors and marines assigned to the ship and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit the opportunity to experience Hong Kong’s cult