March 2016 News - Naval Forces, Defense Industry, Navy Technology, Maritime Security
 
 

US Coast Guard commissioned its 16th fast response cutter
 
The United States Coast Guard commissioned its 16th fast response cutter, Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 11. The cutter is the fourth FRC stationed in San Juan. The other 12 FRCs in service are stationed in Florida – six in Miami and six in Key West.
The United States Coast Guard commissioned its 16th fast response cutter, Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 11. The cutter is the fourth FRC stationed in San Juan. The other 12 FRCs in service are stationed in Florida – six in Miami and six in Key West.
 

Russian Navy’s auxiliary fleet to receive 14 support vessels in 2016
 
The Russian Navy’s auxiliary fleet will receive 14 new support vessels in 2016, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov said on Tuesday. "In all, 14 support vessels will join Russian fleets this year," Bulgakov said on the occasion of Auxiliary Fleet Day.
The Russian Navy’s auxiliary fleet will receive 14 new support vessels in 2016, Russian Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov said on Tuesday. "In all, 14 support vessels will join Russian fleets this year," Bulgakov said on the occasion of Auxiliary Fleet Day.
 

First Compartments of HMS Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier Handed Over to Royal Navy Crew
 
The Aircrft Carrier Alliance has successfully signed over the first compartments of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH to her crew, over a year ahead of when the ship is due to be delivered to the Royal Navy. The six large compartments are the first sections of the ship the crew has taken ownership of and marks an important step towards delivering the nation's flagship.
The Aircrft Carrier Alliance has successfully signed over the first compartments of HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH to her crew, over a year ahead of when the ship is due to be delivered to the Royal Navy. The six large compartments are the first sections of the ship the crew has taken ownership of and marks an important step towards delivering the nation's flagship.
 

ROC Navy to Build Three Air Defense Catamaran Corvettes based on Tuo River-class
 
The ROC Navy (Republic of China - Taiwan) has ordered three air defense catamaran corvettes based on the existing Tuo River-class. It is rumored the corvettes are expected to be fitted with Mk 41 VLS for a new naval variant of the Sky Bow III (Tien Kung III) surface to air missiles. It remains to be seen however if such large missiles can fit on a small platform like this catamaran corvette. Same thing goes for long range radar sensors.
The ROC Navy (Republic of China - Taiwan) has ordered three air defense catamaran corvettes based on the existing Tuo River-class. It is rumored the corvettes are expected to be fitted with Mk 41 VLS for a new naval variant of the Sky Bow III (Tien Kung III) surface to air missiles. It remains to be seen however if such large missiles can fit on a small platform like this catamaran corvette. Same thing goes for long range radar sensors.
 

Russian Navy to Fit All its New & Upgraded Vessels With Paket-NK Weapon and Decoy System
 
All the Russian Navy’s new and heavily upgraded ships will be equipped with advanced antisubmarine weapons, CEO of the Region Scientific and Production Enterprise Igor Krylov told TASS on Monday. The Region Scientific and Production Enterprise is a subsidiary of Russia’s Tactical Missiles Corporation.
All the Russian Navy’s new and heavily upgraded ships will be equipped with advanced antisubmarine weapons, CEO of the Region Scientific and Production Enterprise Igor Krylov told TASS on Monday. The Region Scientific and Production Enterprise is a subsidiary of Russia’s Tactical Missiles Corporation.
 

U.S. Navy Pacific Commander Praises Littoral Combat Ship & Expeditionary Fast Transport
 
When responding to questions from Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) Commander Admiral Harry Harris outlined his strong support for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) programs during a House Armed Services Committee this morning. The Independence class LCS and EPF are built by Austal USA in Mobile.
When responding to questions from Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL), U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) Commander Admiral Harry Harris outlined his strong support for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) programs during a House Armed Services Committee this morning. The Independence class LCS and EPF are built by Austal USA in Mobile.
 

Australia's Special Forces Training in the Air Drop of Zodiac Milpro RHIB
 
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) released pictures showing Special Forces training in the air drop of Zodiac Milpro RHIBs. RAAF C-130J Hercules is undergoing a series of capability upgrades and role expansions as it continues to serve the Australian Defence Force as a medium tactical airlifter. This has included increases to its communications and situational awareness systems, aircraft self-protection suite, and increased airdrop capability.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) released pictures showing Special Forces training in the air drop of Zodiac Milpro RHIBs. RAAF C-130J Hercules is undergoing a series of capability upgrades and role expansions as it continues to serve the Australian Defence Force as a medium tactical airlifter. This has included increases to its communications and situational awareness systems, aircraft self-protection suite, and increased airdrop capability.
 

Russia in Talks With India to Sell Three Project 11356 Frigates to Complement Talwar Class
 
Russia is in talks with India to sell three Project 11356 frigates originally intended for the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Vice-President of the United Ship-Building Corporation for Warship Construction Igor Ponomaryov told TASS on Friday. "We are fulfilling the state defense order and building these frigates. At the same time, we are holding talks on the possibility of selling these vessels to India," Ponomaryov said.
Russia is in talks with India to sell three Project 11356 frigates originally intended for the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Vice-President of the United Ship-Building Corporation for Warship Construction Igor Ponomaryov told TASS on Friday. "We are fulfilling the state defense order and building these frigates. At the same time, we are holding talks on the possibility of selling these vessels to India," Ponomaryov said.
 

Project 11356M Admiral Grigorovich Frigate Commissioned with Russian Navy
 
The Project 11356 lead frigate Admiral Grigorovich has joined the Russian Navy. The St. Andrew’s flag has been hoisted on the vessel, a TASS correspondent reports from the scene. "This day is, indeed, an important event for the Black Sea Fleet. We are receiving a frigate that can operate in distant waters. This is the first vessel built at the Russian rather than Soviet wharves," Black Sea Fleet Commander Alexander Vitko said.
The Project 11356 lead frigate Admiral Grigorovich has joined the Russian Navy. The St. Andrew’s flag has been hoisted on the vessel, a TASS correspondent reports from the scene. "This day is, indeed, an important event for the Black Sea Fleet. We are receiving a frigate that can operate in distant waters. This is the first vessel built at the Russian rather than Soviet wharves," Black Sea Fleet Commander Alexander Vitko said.
 

L-3 to Provide Depot-Level Maintenance for the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 A/B/C/D Fleet
 
L-3 Communications announced today that it has been awarded a contract to provide Depot-Level Maintenance (DLM) for the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 A/B/C/D fleet. The F/A-18 DLM contract provides the Navy with the additional capacity it needs to carry out F/A-18 A/B/C/D structural life-extension modifications and inspections that will significantly improve the availability of strike fighter assets to meet ongoing operational commitments. L-3’s Platform Integration division in Waco, Texas, will serve as the prime contractor, while L-3 MAS in Quebec, Canada, will be responsible for inspection and modification of the aircraft structure, as well as associated engineering support.
L-3 Communications announced today that it has been awarded a contract to provide Depot-Level Maintenance (DLM) for the U.S. Navy’s F/A-18 A/B/C/D fleet. The F/A-18 DLM contract provides the Navy with the additional capacity it needs to carry out F/A-18 A/B/C/D structural life-extension modifications and inspections that will significantly improve the availability of strike fighter assets to meet ongoing operational commitments. L-3’s Platform Integration...
 

Royal Australian Navy Fifth ANZAC class Frigate ASM Defence Upgrade Almost Complete
 
HMAS Parramatta, the fifth Anzac class frigate built for Australia and the sixth to enter the Anti-Ship Missile Defence Upgrade programme has commenced preparations to undock in mid April. While the most obvious and striking changes are the addition of a ‘cupola' mast to house the CEA Phased Array Radar, and a coat of the new Royal Australian Navy 'haze grey' paint, these are just two of a complex web of engineering changes and maintenance tasks delivered by BAE Systems, Saab Australia and Naval Ship Management, at the BAE Systems shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia over the past 12 months.
HMAS Parramatta, the fifth Anzac class frigate built for Australia and the sixth to enter the Anti-Ship Missile Defence Upgrade programme has commenced preparations to undock in mid April. While the most obvious and striking changes are the addition of a ‘cupola' mast to house the CEA Phased Array Radar, and a coat of the new Royal Australian Navy 'haze grey' paint, these are just two of a complex web of engineering changes and maintenance...
 

Liquid Robotics' Wave Gliders USVs Surpass One Million Nautical Miles at Sea
 
Liquid Robotics, the pioneer of wave and solar powered ocean robots, today announced that its fleets of Wave Gliders have reached 1 million nautical miles at sea—an important milestone for the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) industry. The Wave Glider is the first USV to complete missions from the Arctic to the Southern Ocean, operate through 17 hurricanes/typhoons, and achieve a Guinness World Record for the “longest journey by an autonomous, unmanned surface vehicle on the planet”. One million nautical miles is the equivalent to 1.29x round trip journey to the moon (at the moon’s furthest point) or approximately 46 times around the world.
Liquid Robotics, the pioneer of wave and solar powered ocean robots, today announced that its fleets of Wave Gliders have reached 1 million nautical miles at sea—an important milestone for the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) industry. The Wave Glider is the first USV to complete missions from the Arctic to the Southern Ocean, operate through 17 hurricanes/typhoons, and achieve a Guinness World Record for the “longest journey by an autonomous...
 

Project 11356M Admiral Grigorovich Frigate Handed Over to Russian Navy
 
The Baltic Shipyards shipbuilding plant (a subsidiary of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, USC) has handed over 'Admiral Grigorovich' Project 11356 frigate (Krivak-V/Admiral Grigorovich-class type ship) to Russian Navy, according to the plant`s official spokeperson, Sergei Mikhailov.
The Baltic Shipyards shipbuilding plant (a subsidiary of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, USC) has handed over 'Admiral Grigorovich' Project 11356 frigate (Krivak-V/Admiral Grigorovich-class type ship) to Russian Navy, according to the plant`s official spokeperson, Sergei Mikhailov.
 

Boeing Echo Voyager Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Can Operate Autonomously for Months
 
Boeing today introduced Echo Voyager, its latest unmanned, undersea vehicle (UUV), which can operate autonomously for months at a time thanks to a hybrid rechargeable power system and modular payload bay. The 51-foot-long vehicle is not only autonomous while underway, but it can also be launched and recovered without the support ships that normally assist UUVs. Echo Voyager is the latest innovation in Boeing’s UUV family, joining the 32-foot Echo Seeker and the 18-foot Echo Ranger.
Boeing today introduced Echo Voyager, its latest unmanned, undersea vehicle (UUV), which can operate autonomously for months at a time thanks to a hybrid rechargeable power system and modular payload bay. The 51-foot-long vehicle is not only autonomous while underway, but it can also be launched and recovered without the support ships that normally assist UUVs. Echo Voyager is the latest innovation in Boeing’s UUV family, joining the 32-foot Echo Seeker and the 18-foot Echo Ranger.
 

French Navy Detected a Russian Navy SSBN in the Bay of Biscay in January
 
According French weekly news magazine L'Obs citing a senior French source, the French Navy (Marine Nationale) would have spotted a Russian nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) in the Bay of Biscay, off the French coast in early January. Contacted by L'Obs, the French Ministry of Defence didn't deny the information.
According French weekly news magazine L'Obs citing a senior French source, the French Navy (Marine Nationale) would have spotted a Russian nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) in the Bay of Biscay, off the French coast in early January. Contacted by L'Obs, the French Ministry of Defence didn't deny the information.
 

US Navy ROK Navy and Marines Kicked Off Ssang Yong 2016 Large Amphibious Exercise
 
The Project 971 (Akula-class) nuclear-powered submarine Kuzbass (K-419) under repairs and upgrade at the Zvezda Shipyard in Russia’s Far East since 2009 will become operational with the Navy before the end of March, the Russian Defense Ministry’s press office said.
Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are participating in exercise Ssang Yong 16 (SY16), March 8-18, in and around Pohang, Republic of Korea (ROK). Ssang Yong, which means "twin dragons," is a biennial exercise hosted by the ROK to strengthen interoperability and working relationships with partner nations. This year's exercise will include Navy and Marine Corps participants from the ROK, the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.
 

Russian Navy Akula-class submarine Kuzbass (K-419) to Re-Enter Service by Late March
 
The Project 971 (Akula-class) nuclear-powered submarine Kuzbass (K-419) under repairs and upgrade at the Zvezda Shipyard in Russia’s Far East since 2009 will become operational with the Navy before the end of March, the Russian Defense Ministry’s press office said.
The Project 971 (Akula-class) nuclear-powered submarine Kuzbass (K-419) under repairs and upgrade at the Zvezda Shipyard in Russia’s Far East since 2009 will become operational with the Navy before the end of March, the Russian Defense Ministry’s press office said.
 

Video: USS Porter is the First US Navy Burke-class Destroyer to Test Raytheon's SeaRAM CIWS
 
The US Navy released a video and pictures showing the first ever live-fire tests of the SeaRAM weapon system from an Arleigh Burke class (DDG 51) destroyer. The successful tests were conducted with USS Porter (DDG 78) during Combat Systems Ship Qualifications Trials at El Arenosillo Test Range off the coast of Huelva, Spain.
The US Navy released a video and pictures showing the first ever live-fire tests of the SeaRAM weapon system from an Arleigh Burke class (DDG 51) destroyer. The successful tests were conducted with USS Porter (DDG 78) during Combat Systems Ship Qualifications Trials at El Arenosillo Test Range off the coast of Huelva, Spain.
 

Russian Navy Aircraft Carrier Admiral Kuznetsov Slated for Cruise to Mediterranean Sea
 
The Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier is scheduled for a cruise to the Mediterranean this summer, a ranking source in the Russian Navy told TASS on Wednesday. "A cruise to the Mediterranean is planned for the Kuznetsov this summer. The carrier will lead the standing naval force in the region," the source said.
The Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier is scheduled for a cruise to the Mediterranean this summer, a ranking source in the Russian Navy told TASS on Wednesday. "A cruise to the Mediterranean is planned for the Kuznetsov this summer. The carrier will lead the standing naval force in the region," the source said.
 

PIRIOU Shipyard Launched the Second B2M Multi Mission Vessel for the French Navy
 
The second D'Entrecasteaux class B2M (batiment multi-mission) vessel for the French Navy, Bougainville, was launched at Piriou shipyard in Brittany on February 26 2016. Kership (a joint Piriou DCNS company) won a contract award for 3 vessels of the class (with option for a fourth one) in December 2013.
The second D'Entrecasteaux class B2M (batiment multi-mission) vessel for the French Navy, Bougainville, was launched at Piriou shipyard in Brittany on February 26 2016. Kership (a joint Piriou DCNS company) won a contract award for 3 vessels of the class (with option for a fourth one) in December 2013.
 

Three More Type 072A LST Tank Landing Ships Join PLAN's East China Sea Fleet
 
Following the commissioning of Tianmushan in January, three more Type 072A Tank Landing Ships (LST) joined the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) on March 7. Named Wuyishan, Culaishan and Wutaishan the LST have joined the PLAN's East Sea Fleet.
Following the commissioning of Tianmushan in January, three more Type 072A Tank Landing Ships (LST) joined the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy) on March 7. Named Wuyishan, Culaishan and Wutaishan the LST have joined the PLAN's East Sea Fleet.
 

Italian Navy Special Forces Unit Operational Raiders Group Trains in Monte Romano Range
 
In the last few days, the Comsubin Operational Raiders Group completed one of the most intensive training periods within its annual exercise programme, consisting in a complex activity aimed at training the Italian Navy Special Forces and enhancing the San Marco Marine Regiment combat support capabilities.
In the last few days, the Comsubin Operational Raiders Group completed one of the most intensive training periods within its annual exercise programme, consisting in a complex activity aimed at training the Italian Navy Special Forces and enhancing the San Marco Marine Regiment combat support capabilities.
 

Norway MOD Seeking Submarine Cooperation With Other Nations for Ula class Replacement
 
Norway is working towards establishing an extensive submarine cooperation with other nations in order to reduce cost and secure a robust submarine capability for the future. The current Norwegian Ula-class submarines will gradually reach their end-of-life in the 2020s. The Ministry of Defence is currently leading the work looking at procurement of new submarines. The project is in its definition phase. This phase will be completed in the first half of 2016, when the external quality review is completed.
Norway is working towards establishing an extensive submarine cooperation with other nations in order to reduce cost and secure a robust submarine capability for the future. The current Norwegian Ula-class submarines will gradually reach their end-of-life in the 2020s. The Ministry of Defence is currently leading the work looking at procurement of new submarines. The project is in its definition phase. This phase will be completed in the first half of 2016, when the external quality review is completed.
 

US Navy awards Raytheon $270 million contract for Standard Missile-6 production
 
The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon Company $270 million to exercise fiscal 2016 options for Standard Missile-6 production and spares requirements. "U.S. Navy commanders want both capability and flexibility to meet a wide variety of missions, and that's exactly what SM-6 offers," said Mike Campisi, Standard Missile-6 senior program director. "Its use is transforming defense."
The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon Company $270 million to exercise fiscal 2016 options for Standard Missile-6 production and spares requirements. "U.S. Navy commanders want both capability and flexibility to meet a wide variety of missions, and that's exactly what SM-6 offers," said Mike Campisi, Standard Missile-6 senior program director. "Its use is transforming defense."
 

Page 3 of 5