Vessels
US Marines’ F35 head for first operational overseas deployment
A U.S. Marines’ F-35B squadron from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, will become the first F35B squadron on an overseas deployment after heading for the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, on January 9. Iwakuni, Japan is thereby becoming the first location to receive the Marine Corps’ F-
SNA National Symposium starts in Virginia
A video displaying the technology and warfare of the United States Navy fleet kicked off the Surface Navy Association’s (SNA) 29th annual National Symposium on January 10 in Crystal City, Virginia. The theme this year is “Distributed Lethality: Enabling Sea Control” to highlight the doctrine of dist
US Navy’s Amphibious Squadron 11 changes command
U.S. Navy’s Amphibious Squadron 11 held a change of command aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) in Sasebo, Japan, on January 9. During the ceremony, Capt. George Doyon relieved Capt. Ed Thompson as Commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11. The ceremony’s guest speaker,
India’s second Scorpene submarine ready for launch
INS Khanderi, the second of six Indian Navy Scorpene-class submarines, is scheduled to be launched on January 12. Built by the Indian shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Limited, the diesel-electric submarine is being launched some 22 months after the launch of INS Kalvari, the lead ship in the class, in April
US Navy orders more UAS from Insitu
The U.S. Navy has awarded Insitu a $70.8 million contract modification under which it is procuring six Blackjack unmanned aircraft systems. Three of the full rate production Lot I RQ-21A UAS will go to the navy and the other three to the marines. The UAS consists of air vehicles, ground control stat
Australian frigate HMAS Anzac changes command
HMAS Anzac, the lead ship of the Australian Anzac-class frigates, changed command in a ceremony onboard the ship as she was alongside in Sydney. Commander Belinda Wood formally handed over command of HMAS Anzac to Commander Michael Devine. Commander Wood thanked her crew for all their efforts in a t
Lockheed contracts Airbus for US Coast Guard cutter radar
Lockheed Martin has contracted Airbus DS Electronics and Border Security to deliver the TRS-3D Baseline D multi-mode radar for the U.S. Coast Guard’s ninth National Security Cutter (NSC). The TRS-3D Baseline D, designated AN/SPS-75, utilizes gallium nitride (GaN) technology to deliver traditional TR
On this day: Aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush launched in Virginia
U.S. Navy’s final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush was launched on this day, January 10, at the Newport News shipyard, Virginia. The 332-meter-long, nuclear-powered ship was laid down on May 19, 2003 and launched on October 9, 2006 with Dorothy W.B. Koch, daughter of President Bush
Royal Navy Portsmouth base opens new service family accommodation flats
Three new service family accommodation flats were opened in Portsmouth Naval Base on January 9. The official opening was attended by defence minister Mark Lancaster, naval base commander Commodore Jeremy Rigby and the chief executive of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) Robert Robson.
USS Mahan fires warning shots in first US-Iran run in of 2017
U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Mahan fired three warning shots at Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps vessels after they came within 800 meters of the ship on January 8. The incident took place in the Strait of Hormuz and involved the U.S. Navy destroyer and four Iranian vessels,
UK signs £271M deal for Wildcat helicopter support
The UK Ministry of Defense has signed a five-year deal worth £271 million with Leonardo Helicopters to continue support work on the Wildcat helicopters. The MOD hailed the deal as one that would sustain approximately 500 jobs, primarily at Leonardo’s facilities in Yeovil and Royal Naval Air Station
Royal Navy patrol vessel set to return from ‘huge’ deployment
Royal Navy’s River-class patrol vessel HMS Mersey is preparing to return to the UK from what will be a lengthy 13-month deployment. A remarkable achievement considering the fact that the ship has a company of just 52. The patrol vessel left Portsmouth in January 2016, heading for the Caribbean befor
US Navy bids farewell to longest serving secretary
The U.S. Navy bid farewell to Ray Mabus, the navy’s longest serving secretary since World War I, in a ceremony in Washington on January 6. During his eight-year tenure, Mabus led the navy through a period of often controversial changes with social and energy reforms at the forefront. Seeking to mini
HMS Clyde docks for maintenance
Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Clyde recently entered the dry dock for her fist dry-docking period in five years. The patrol ship has been almost constantly on duty in and around the Falkland Islands since her last overhaul in 2011. Those patrols have taken their toll of the hull and machinery inside,