Vessels
Photo: Brazilian Navy’s H225M multirole helicopter unveiled in combat configuration
Airbus Helicopters’ Brazilian subsidiary Helibras recently officially presented the Brazilian Navy’s H225M multirole utility helicopter in a naval combat configuration. Developed and assembled locally by Helibras, this new H225M version is equipped with mission capabilities that include anti-surface
NASSCO gets $83M for USS Boxer modernization
The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics’ shipbuilding division NASSCO a $83 million contract for the refurbishment of the U.S. Navy’s Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4). NASSCO will perform a phased maintenance availability on the ship which includes depot-level maintenance, alt
Singapore Navy frigate comes to India for Simbex-16
Republic of Singapore Navy frigate RSS Formidable arrived to India for the bilateral naval exercise Simbex-16 which will be focused on anti-submarine warfare this year. This year’s Simbex is being held in the Bay of Bengal region and is the 23rd iteration in the series aimed at increasing interopera
Ballistic missile submarine USS Pennsylvania makes port call in Guam
U.S. Navy’s ballistic missile submarine USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) arrived at Apra Harbor, Guam, for a scheduled port visit on October 30. The U.S. constantly has ballistic missile submarines such as USS Pennsylvania on patrol, provide an important element of the U.S. nuclear deterrence force. USS
Makin Island ARG enters 7th Fleet area of operations
U.S. Navy’s Makin Island amphibious ready group (ARG) and embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations after concluding operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet. While in 7th Fleet, the Makin Island ARG/11th MEU will participate in bilateral training exercises a
Royal Navy tanker refuels French helicopter carrier on counter piracy mission
Royal Navy tanker RFA Gold Rover recently refueled French helicopter carrier FS Dixmude and joined it for a piracy patrol off the Ivory Coast. Joined by Ivory Coast patrol boat Sekongo, the ships patrolled 200 miles of coastline and waters off shore, stretching from the Ivory Coast’s principal port
Video: USS Virginia joins the fleet
The U.S Navy’s Virginia-class attack submarine USS Illinois (SSN 786) was commissioned during an October 29 ceremony at Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut. The submarine is the first Navy vessel named for the state since the battleship Illinois (BB 7) was commissioned in 1901. The firs
UK Royal Marines first Merlin MK4 helicopter takes flight
The UK Royal Marines first improved Merlin Mk4 performed its maiden flight earlier in the week at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton. Working under a 2014-contract worth £330 million (€400), engineers from Leonardo are converting 25 Royal Air Force AW101 Merlin Mk.3 and Mk3A helicopters to replac
US Navy to commission Virginia-class submarine USS Illinois
The U.S. Navy is set to christen its thirteenth Virginia-class submarine USS Illinois on October 29. The christening ceremony will take in Groton, Connecticut, where the boat was built by General Dynamics Electric Boat. What makes USS Illinois stand out is that it is a Block III Virginia ship incorp
NASSCO to upgrade USNS Lewis B. Puller for special operations forces
The U.S. Navy has awarded General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding (NASSCO) a $34.5 million contract for the post shakedown availability of USNS Lewis B. Puller (T-ESB 3). During the maintenance works, NASSCO will also upgrade the ship to allow it to support special operations forces. Lt. Cm
Canada launches design competition for Canadian Surface Combatant fleet
The Canadian government has started one of the country’s largest and most complex procurement projects by announcing the start of a design competition for the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) fleet. Irving Shipbuilding, the prime contractor for the project, released a Request for Proposal (RFP) for
Australian Navy’s new replenishment ships to feature Saab’s combat systems
Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has contracted Swedish defense contractor Saab to deliver an integrated combat system for the two new Royal Australian Navy replenishment ships. According to Saab, the contract is worth SEK 226 million (approx US$25 milion). Helicopter control radar and decoy system are
US destroyer departs French aircraft carrier group fighting ISIS
U.S. Navy’s guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) wrapped up its mission of supporting the French Charles de Gaulle carrier strike group. Ross was part of a destroyer squadron in charge of protecting the aircraft carrier from attacks thereby enabling it to launch fighter jets to carry out airst
Australian minehunter finds US WWII aircraft 44 meters below surface
The crew of the Australian minehunter HMAS Huon has found a missing American World War II plane during a mine clearance operation in the Solomon Islands. The South West Pacific nation was the scene of bitter fighting between US and Japanese forces from 1942 until 1945. At the request of the United S