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

BAE Systems to Upgrade & Digitize Mk 45 Naval Guns on U.S. Navy Burke-class Destroyers
 
The U.S. Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $50 million contract option to upgrade four additional Mk 45 Naval Guns on guided missile destroyers (DDG 51s), converting the guns to a fully-digital Mod 4 configuration. The option, exercised under an initial 2015 award, brings the full value of the contract to $130 million for a total of 10 modernized gun systems.
The U.S. Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $50 million contract option to upgrade four additional Mk 45 Naval Guns on guided missile destroyers (DDG 51s), converting the guns to a fully-digital Mod 4 configuration. The option, exercised under an initial 2015 award, brings the full value of the contract to $130 million for a total of 10 modernized gun systems.
 

Australia chooses Lockheed Martin as Combat System Integrator for DCNS Submarines
 
Australia's Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne and the Minister for Defence Industry, The Hon Christopher Pyne MP announced that Lockheed Martin Australia has been selected as the preferred Combat System Integrator for Australia’s Future Submarine Program, subject to further discussion on commercial matters.
Australia's Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne and the Minister for Defence Industry, The Hon Christopher Pyne MP announced that Lockheed Martin Australia has been selected as the preferred Combat System Integrator for Australia’s Future Submarine Program, subject to further discussion on commercial matters.
 

Airbus Helicopters delivers first AS565 MBe Panther to the Mexican Navy
 
The Mexican Navy yesterday took delivery of the first of the ten AS565 MBe Panther helicopters it purchased in 2014, becoming the first customer in the world to receive the new version of this multi-role, medium-class military rotorcraft. The Navy will receive three other units before the end of the year and the remaining six by early 2018.
The Mexican Navy yesterday took delivery of the first of the ten AS565 MBe Panther helicopters it purchased in 2014, becoming the first customer in the world to receive the new version of this multi-role, medium-class military rotorcraft. The Navy will receive three other units before the end of the year and the remaining six by early 2018.
 

China Delivered "NNS Unity" Second P18N Offshore Patrol Vessel to Nigerian Navy
 
Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, Chief of the Nigerian Navy, was at the China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Company (CSOC)'s Wuchang Shipyard in Wuhan, China in early September to receive the second P18N offshore patrol vessel (OPV). CSOC is part of the part of the State Shipbuilding Corporation, China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC).
Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, Chief of the Nigerian Navy, was at the China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Company (CSOC)'s Wuchang Shipyard in Wuhan, China in early September to receive the second P18N offshore patrol vessel (OPV). CSOC is part of the part of the State Shipbuilding Corporation, China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC).
 

UK MOD and ASV Global sign licence agreement for unmanned surface vehicle software
 
The UK Ministry of Defence has signed a licence agreement with ASV Global allowing for the use of its Advanced Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Capability technology. The contract has been signed through Ploughshare Innovations, the technology transfer arm of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
The UK Ministry of Defence has signed a licence agreement with ASV Global allowing for the use of its Advanced Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Capability technology. The contract has been signed through Ploughshare Innovations, the technology transfer arm of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
 

Russia's Project 955 SSBN Yuri Dolgoruky Test Launched Two Bulava Ballistic Missiles
 
The Project 955 Borei (NATO reporting name: Dolgorukiy) Yuri Dolgoruky nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) has conducted an experimental salvo launch of two Bulava (SS-NX-32) ballistic missiles from the White Sea, according to the press office of the Russian Defense Ministry.
The Project 955 Borei (NATO reporting name: Dolgorukiy) Yuri Dolgoruky nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) has conducted an experimental salvo launch of two Bulava (SS-NX-32) ballistic missiles from the White Sea, according to the press office of the Russian Defense Ministry.
 

Lockheed Martin Launches Vector Hawk UAV from Marlin UUV for the First Time
 
In a testament to the versatility and adaptability that its unmanned systems bring to complex missions, Lockheed Martin successfully launched Vector Hawk, a small, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), on command from the Marlin MK2 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) during a cross-domain command and control event hosted by the U.S. Navy. In addition to Marlin and Vector Hawk, the Submaran, an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) developed by Ocean Aero, provided surface reconnaissance and surveillance.
In a testament to the versatility and adaptability that its unmanned systems bring to complex missions, Lockheed Martin successfully launched Vector Hawk, a small, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), on command from the Marlin MK2 autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) during a cross-domain command and control event hosted by the U.S. Navy. In addition to Marlin and Vector Hawk, the Submaran, an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) developed by Ocean Aero, provided surface reconnaissance and surveillance.
 

First Rafale M Flight for French Navy 17F Airwing Following SEM Decommissioning
 
The first flight of a Rafale M multi-role fighter belonging to fighter airwing 17F took place on September 19 2016 at the Landivisiau naval air base. The event follows the decomissioning of the Super Etandard Modernisé or SEM on July 12th.
The first flight of a Rafale M multi-role fighter belonging to the French Navy (Marine Nationale) fighter airwing 17F took place on September 19 2016 at the Landivisiau naval air base. The event follows the decommissioning of the Super Etandard Modernisé or SEM on July 12th.
 

Video: U.S. Navy Launched JSOW C-1 During Exercise Valiant Shield
 
Sailors from Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) fired the newest Joint Standoff Weapon, JSOW C-1, Sept. 13 during Valiant Shield exercise conducted in the Western Pacific. Valiant Shield is the first time the fleet conducted an operational end-to-end employment of a network enabled weapon, using both live rounds and captive air training missiles during the exercise.
Sailors from Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) fired the newest Joint Standoff Weapon, JSOW C-1, Sept. 13 during Valiant Shield exercise conducted in the Western Pacific. Valiant Shield is the first time the fleet conducted an operational end-to-end employment of a network enabled weapon, using both live rounds and captive air training missiles during the exercise.
 

Russia’s 1st Project 12700 mine countermeasures vessel Alexander Obukhov starts state trials
 
The Project 12700 Alexandrit-class lead mine sweeper Alexander Obukhov currently under construction for the Navy at the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard in St. Petersburg in northwest Russia has started undergoing state trials, the shipyard’s press office said.
The Project 12700 Alexandrit-class lead mine sweeper Alexander Obukhov currently under construction for the Navy at the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard in St. Petersburg in northwest Russia has started undergoing state trials, the shipyard’s press office said.
 

Boeing Rolls-Out the First Australian P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft
 
DCNS announced that he French Navy (Marine Nationale)’s FREMM multi-mission frigate Auvergne set sail from the Lorient naval shipyard to begin sea trials on September 26th. The FREMM Auvergne is the sixth frigate in the programme and fourth of the series ordered by OCCAr on behalf of the DGA (the French defence procurement agency) for the French Navy.
The first of twelve Australian P-8A Poseidon aircraft has been unveiled by Boeing at a roll-out ceremony in Seattle, Washington State, USA on September 27. Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Leo Davies, attended the ceremony and accepted into service the Royal Australian Air Force’s newest aircraft.
 

DCNS: Sea Trials for the Sixth FREMM multi-mission frigate, the Future Auvergne for the French Navy
 
DCNS announced that he French Navy (Marine Nationale)’s FREMM multi-mission frigate Auvergne set sail from the Lorient naval shipyard to begin sea trials on September 26th. The FREMM Auvergne is the sixth frigate in the programme and fourth of the series ordered by OCCAr on behalf of the DGA (the French defence procurement agency) for the French Navy.
DCNS announced that he French Navy (Marine Nationale)’s FREMM multi-mission frigate Auvergne set sail from the Lorient naval shipyard to begin sea trials on September 26th. The FREMM Auvergne is the sixth frigate in the programme and fourth of the series ordered by OCCAr on behalf of the DGA (the French defence procurement agency) for the French Navy.
 

French Navy Received the "Bougainville" Second of Four B2M Multi Mission Vessels
 
The Bougainville multi-mission vessel was delivered to the French Navy (Marine Nationale) on September 22 2016. It is the second B2M (for bâtiment multi-missions) vessel intended for the overseas missions of sovereignty. Bougainville will soon join its home port of Tahiti in the Pacific. First ship of the class D'Entrecasteaux recently joined its home port of Noumea in New Caledonia.
The Bougainville multi-mission vessel was delivered to the French Navy (Marine Nationale) on September 22 2016. It is the second B2M (for bâtiment multi-missions) vessel intended for the overseas missions of sovereignty. Bougainville will soon join its home port of Tahiti in the Pacific. First ship of the class D'Entrecasteaux recently joined its home port of Noumea in New Caledonia.
 

Russia’s aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov to join task force in Mediterranean Sea
 
The Project 11435 aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will join the Russian Navy’s grouping in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said. "As of today, Russia’s grouping in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea comprises no less than six warships and three or four logistic support ships from all fleets," Shoigu said at a meeting of the Defense Ministry’s board.
The Project 11435 aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov will join the Russian Navy’s grouping in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said. "As of today, Russia’s grouping in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea comprises no less than six warships and three or four logistic support ships from all fleets," Shoigu said at a meeting of the Defense Ministry’s board.
 

Russian Navy Submarine 'Vladimir Monomakh' Project 955 SSBN arrives at Pacific Fleet Base
 
The newest Project 955 'Vladimir Monomakh' (NATO reporting name: Dolgorukiy-class/Borei-class) nuclear-powered boat armed with submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SSBN) has finished the transition from the North Fleet to the Pacific Fleet and arrived at its home base, Vilyuchinsk (Kamchatka Krai), according to the press department of Russia`s Ministry of Defense (MoD).
The newest Project 955 'Vladimir Monomakh' (NATO reporting name: Dolgorukiy-class/Borei-class) nuclear-powered boat armed with submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SSBN) has finished the transition from the North Fleet to the Pacific Fleet and arrived at its home base, Vilyuchinsk (Kamchatka Krai), according to the press department of Russia`s Ministry of Defense (MoD).
 

China: Island Fitted to Second PLAN Aircraft Carrier "Type 001A"
 
Spotters photos taken in Dalian yesterday show that the second Chinese aircraft carrier, the Type 001A, has received its island. This is another step towards the lauch of the vessel expected to happen by early 2017.
Spotters photos taken in Dalian yesterday show that the second Chinese aircraft carrier, the Type 001A, has received its island. This is another step towards the lauch of the vessel expected to happen by early 2017.
 

Saab to provide AN/SPN-50 (V)1 shipboard air traffic radar systems for U.S. Navy CVNs & LHDs
 
Saab Defense and Security USA has received an order from the U.S. Navy to provide the AN/SPN-50 (V)1 Shipboard Air Traffic Radar. The first award for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the program includes the initial procurement of three radars over a four-year period.
Saab Defense and Security USA has received an order from the U.S. Navy to provide the AN/SPN-50 (V)1 Shipboard Air Traffic Radar. The first award for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the program includes the initial procurement of three radars over a four-year period.
 

U.S. Navy Approves MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System for Low Rate Initial Production
 
The United States Department of the Navy announced the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system (UAS) built for the U.S. Navy by Northrop Grumman Corporation received milestone C approval, Sept. 22. This decision by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L) Honorable Frank Kendall, allows the MQ-4C Triton program to enter into Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP), the first part of the production and deployment phase.
The United States Department of the Navy announced the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) received milestone C approval, Sept. 22. This decision by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (AT&L) Honorable Frank Kendall, allows the MQ-4C Triton program to enter into Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP), the first part of the production and deployment phase.
 

First Royal Australian Navy Air Warfare Destroyer Hobart successfully completes Builder Sea Trials
 
Today, the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance achieved a major milestone with the successful completion of Builder Sea Trials for the first destroyer Hobart following several days at sea off the coast of South Australia. AWD Alliance General Manager Lloyd Beckett said that sea trials was the commencement of an exciting new phase for the Air Warfare Destroyer project.
Today, the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance achieved a major milestone with the successful completion of Builder Sea Trials for the first destroyer Hobart following several days at sea off the coast of South Australia. AWD Alliance General Manager Lloyd Beckett said that sea trials was the commencement of an exciting new phase for the Air Warfare Destroyer project.
 

RITM-200 Nuclear Reactor Fitted Aboard Russia's Project 22220 Nuclear-Powered Icebreaker Arktika
 
Russian defense contractor Baltic Shipyard - Shipbuilding (a subsidiary of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, USC) has completed the installation of the RITM-200 reactor system, having equipped the lead ship of the Project 22220 icebreaker family with the second of the two steam generator units, according to USC’s press office.
Russian defense contractor Baltic Shipyard - Shipbuilding (a subsidiary of the United Shipbuilding Corporation, USC) has completed the installation of the RITM-200 reactor system, having equipped the lead ship of the Project 22220 icebreaker family with the second of the two steam generator units, according to USC’s press office.
 

ECA Group Delivers First Robotic / Unmanned Mine Counter Measures (MCM) Systems
 
ECA Group announces the delivery of several fully robotized underwater mine counter measure systems since the beginning of the year to two navies, Kazakhstan being one of them. They are the first unmanned mine counter measure systems ever manufactured. These highly innovative systems are a breakthrough in the underwater mine counter measures market.
ECA Group announces the delivery of several fully robotized underwater mine counter measure systems since the beginning of the year to two navies, Kazakhstan being one of them. They are the first unmanned mine counter measure systems ever manufactured. These highly innovative systems are a breakthrough in the underwater mine counter measures market.
 

Russian Navy Slava-class Cruiser Marshal Ustinov to Start Sea Trials in Late October
 
The Russian Navy Northern Fleet’s Project 1164 (NATO reporting name: Slava-class) Marshal Ustinov guided missile cruiser currently being repaired and upgraded at the Zvyozdochka Shipyard in Severodvinsk in north Russia will start undergoing running trials in late October, Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov told TASS.
The Russian Navy Northern Fleet’s Project 1164 (NATO reporting name: Slava-class) Marshal Ustinov guided missile cruiser currently being repaired and upgraded at the Zvyozdochka Shipyard in Severodvinsk in north Russia will start undergoing running trials in late October, Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov told TASS.
 

U.S. Navy Burke-class Destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) to Escort French Navy Aircraft Carrier
 
The U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) will participate to the escort of French Navy (Marine Nationale) aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" strike group (CSG). The destroyer joined the French Naval Base of Toulon on September 13th. The French CSG is currently conducting an exercise off the French coasts (named Gabian) and is likely to become operational against Daesh in a matther of days.
The U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ross (DDG 71) will participate to the escort of French Navy (Marine Nationale) aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle strike group (CSG). The destroyer joined the French Naval Base of Toulon on September 13th. The French CSG is currently conducting an exercise off the French coasts (named Gabian) and is likely to become operational against Daesh in a matther of days.
 

Admiral Wim Robberecht is the new Chief of the Belgian Navy
 
On September 20 2016, Admiral Wim Robberecht will be appointed as the new Commander of the Belgian Navy Component (Commandant de la composante Marine) during a ceremony at the Zeebrugge naval base. Admiral Robberecht succeeds to Admiral Georges Heeren. The ceremony will be attended by Belgian Minister of Defence Mr. Steven Vandeput and by the Belgian Chief of Defence (Chief of Joint Staff) General Compernol.
On September 20 2016, Admiral Wim Robberecht will be appointed as the new Commander of the Marine Component of the Belgian Armed Forces (Commandant de la composante Marine) during a ceremony at the Zeebrugge naval base. Admiral Robberecht succeeds to Admiral Georges Heeren. The ceremony will be attended by Belgian Minister of Defence Mr. Steven Vandeput and by the Belgian Chief of Defence (Chief of Joint Staff) General Compernol.
 

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