Weapons Systems
Chief of Russian General Staff Explains Bulava Faults
Unsuccessful test launches of Bulava ballistic missile are associated with human factor, said Chief of Russian General Staff Gen. Nikolai Makarov on Feb 18. “You must be aware of a number of Bulava’s faulty test launches. We stopped test program trying to puzzle out the problem. Generally, the reaso
Russia: Mistral-Class Amphibious Landing Ships to Obtain Home-Made Arms
French Mistral-class amphibious landing ships built for Russian Navy will be equipped with weapon systems made in Russia, reported Interfax referring to Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief ADM Vladimir Vysotsky. “We’re going to mount close-in missile systems with the view to improve the ship’s protectio
USS Bonhomme Richard Sailor Visits BHR After 50 Years
As USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) steams west from San Diego to Pearl Harbor en route to a scheduled hull-swap with USS Essex (LHD 2), Sailors onboard may notice a couple of unique passengers. One of them is a 1960’s A3 aircraft from the Vietnam War era; the other is a retired master chief, […]
Russia: Amur Shipyard Holds Construction-Starting Ceremony of Second Serial Project 20380 Corvette
A festive construction-starting ceremony of second serial Project 20380 corvette took place at Amur Shipyard on Feb 17; the ship was christened Gromky and is expected to join Pacific Fleet, city administration of Komsomolsk-on-Amur told Central Navy Portal. The ceremony was attended by Khabarovsk Go
UK: Royal Navy’s Next Generation Helicopter Completes Trials Aboard HMS Iron Duke
The Royal Navy’s next generation helicopter, Wildcat, has completed 20 days of demanding trials aboard HMS Iron Duke, laying the groundwork for future operations. Wildcat landed nearly 400 times on the frigate’s flight deck by day and night in various weather conditions as the ship sailed off the co
Italy: CTF 69 Holds Change of Command Ceremony at Naval Support Activity Naples
Commander, Task Force (CTF) 69 held a change of command ceremony at Naval Support Activity Naples Feb. 16. Capt. Wesley Guinn relieved Capt. Mark Davis as commander. During the ceremony, Vice Adm. Frank C. Pandolfe, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, spoke about Davis’ many accomplishments during his tour.
US Navy Names Forward Deployed Ships to Spain
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced Feb. 16 the four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers which will be forward deployed to Rota, Spain. The four include three from Norfolk, Va; USS Ross, USS Donald Cook, and USS Porter, and one from Mayport, Fla., USS Carney. The ships are in support
Russian Navy’s Nuclear Force to Become 2.5 Times more Effective with Modernization of SLBM Sineva
With modernization of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) R-29RMU2 Sineva, Russian Navy’s strategic nuclear force would become 2.5 times more effective, reports Izvestiya referring to a source in Russian Navy Main HQ. “The upgraded missile will obtain the name of Liner and be based in the sa
Argentine Authorities Opposes Militarization of Falkland Islands
Argentine authorities say the UK dispatched a nuclear-powered submarine capable to carry atomic warheads to the Falkland Islands, reports BBC News on Feb 11. According to Argentine foreign minister Hector Timerman, his government received information that a Vanguard-class British submarine was sent
Russia Plans to Purchase 16 Submarines by 2020
Russian defense ministry plans to purchase 8 multipurpose and 8 strategic nuclear-powered submarines by 2020, said Chief of General Staff Nikolai Makarov. “So far, we have plans to build eight subs of each project [eight Yasen-class SSGNs and eight Borei-class SSBNs]”, the general said answering the
First Turkmen Coast Guard Ship Gets Name of Arkadag
First patrol ship being built by Turkmen Frontier Service shipyard obtained the name of Arkadag (“Protector”), reports REGNUM. It was not reported at which stage of construction the ship was. Her technical characteristics are unknown either. When the construction is over, Arkadag will be the first d
Russia: BF Frigate Yaroslav Mudry Completes Deployment
Baltic Fleet (BF) frigate Yaroslav Mudry on Feb 10 left the Russian Navy carrier group led by aircraft-carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov and laid a course for Baltiysk. The ship left the homebase on Dec 7, 2011 and has covered over 15,000 nautical miles. The crew has carried out antiaircraft and an
SSBN Alexander Nevsky to Join Russian Navy this Year
The next after SSBN Yury Dolgoruky, Project 955 Borei nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine SSBN Alexander Nevsky will join the Navy this year, and the third sub – SSBN Vladimir Monomakh – in 2013, Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky told RIA Novosti. “We believe trials o
Bulava, Yury Dolgoruky to Join Russian Navy this Year
Submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Bulava and its platform – nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Yury Dolgoruky – will be simultaneously commissioned into Russian Navy this year, Russian Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Vladimir Vysotsky told RIA Novosti. SLBM Bulava is expect