Vessels
Italian transport dock ITS San Giorgio ends Operation Sophia deployment
Italian Navy amphibious transport dock ITS San Giorgio wrapped up her participation in the EU-led operation Sophia and headed home on February 14. ITS San Giorgio had been part of the maritime group from October 22, 2016, and was in charge of training Libyan Coast Guard and Navy personnel in no-comb
Indonesian defence ministry becomes first Skeldar V-200 customer
After a period of performance tests carried out in the latter part of 2016, the Indonesian ministry of defence became the first ever Skeldar V-200 UAV customer, UMS Skeldar announced. The delivery of the V-200 vertical take-off and landing UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) marks the start of a working p
Australian, US Navy divers meet up for mine counter-measure training
Divers from the navies of U.S. and Australia met in Perth, Western Australia, for a round of mine counter measure drills recently. The United States Navy explosive ordnance disposal Mobile Unit Five flew from Guam to Perth to join Australian Clearance Diving Team Four and Australian Mine Warfare Tea
USS Carl Vinson departs Guam
The U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and its embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 departed Guam after a scheduled four-day port visit, February 14. While in Guam, Carl Vinson sailors hosted distinguished visitors, toured local sites, and participated in community relations projects
US Navy attack submarine visits the Philippines
The crew of the U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class submarine USS Louisville (SSN 724) arrived in Subic Bay for a brief port call on February 14. The submariners will participate in a series of community service projects and sporting events during the visit. Louisville will also use the stop to conduct so
Lockheed bags $540M deal for Trident II ballistic missile work
The U.S. Strategic Systems Programs office has awarded Lockheed Martin a $540.8 million contract for work on the Trident II (D5) submarine-launched ballistic missile. The contract will run through September, 2021, and will see Lockheed Martin provide missile production and deployed system support. A
Austal launches second Cape-class patrol boat for Australian Navy
Australian shipbuilder Austal launched the tenth Cape-class patrol boat for the Royal Australian Navy at its Henderson, Western Australia, shipyard on February 14. Future Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Inscription is the the second of two follow-on Cape-class boats that will be operated by the
Fincantieri starts construction of first Italian Navy multipurpose offshore patrol ship
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri marked the construction start of the first Italian Navy Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Ship (PPA) with a steel cutting ceremony at its shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia) on February 13. The shipbuilder said the first of seven offshore patrol ships would be delivered in 20
USS George H.W. Bush starts ISIS strikes from the Med
U.S. Navy’s carrier strike group centered around aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush has started air strikes against ISIL from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. The strikes, which started on February 13, are in support of the U.S. operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) aimed at fighting the Islamic State o
Ike hosts trainee pilots for carrier qualifications
U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) hosted future pilots for their first carrier qualifications (CQs). CQs are an instrumental part of the naval aviation training process and the first time these prospective pilots will execute an arrested landing on an aircraft carrie
US Navy brings exercise Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield to a close
Installations in the U.S. Navy Region Northwest (NRNW) concluded exercise Solid Curtain-Citadel Shield (SC-CS) 2017 which they carried out in coordination with local law enforcement and emergency personnel. The exercise took place between January 30-February 10. During SC-CS 2017, NSF personnel at a
Fincantieri-lead team submits US Army landing craft proposal
Fincantieri Marine Group, coupled with a number of companies involved in the project, submitted their proposal for the United States Army Maneuver Support Vessel – Light, the company announced in February. Fincantieri is at the helm of an industry team comprised of the catamaran landing craft (L-CAT
RFA Wave Ruler returns to FOST support activities
Following an operational tasking in the second part of 2016, RFA Wave Ruler returned home for a maintenance period which was completed in January. Wave Ruler returned to her tanker duties in support of Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) after setting sail on January 22. Wave Ruler is tasked to carry o
German Maritime Safety and Security Centre officially opens
German authorities have received a new centre that will allow a number of authorities to work together, integrated into the Maritime Safety and Security Centre. The centre was officially opened during a ceremony in Cuxhaven on February 9. The Maritime Safety and Security Centre has been acting as th