April 2015 News - Naval Forces, Defense Industry, Navy Technology, Maritime Security
 
 

U.S. Navy outfitting MH-60R "Romeo" Seahawks with digital rocket launchers for APKWS
 
After integrating “smart” rocket launchers on MH-60S helicopters last year, the U.S. Navy is now equipping the MH-60R with the same modernized capability. The Navy delivered the Digital Rocket Launchers (DRLs) on March 25 as part of an Early Operational Capability (EOC).
After integrating “smart” rocket launchers on MH-60S helicopters last year, the U.S. Navy is now equipping the MH-60R with the same modernized capability. The Navy delivered the Digital Rocket Launchers (DRLs) on March 25 as part of an Early Operational Capability (EOC).
 

New Russian Navy Frigate "Admiral Gorshkov" Project 22350 to Continue Trials in Barents Sea
 
According to Russian news agency TASS, quoting an industry source, the new generation project 22350 frigate "Admiral Gorshkov" (hull number 417) will continue its sea trials with the Russian Navy Northern Fleet in the Barents Sea. So far, the ship was mostly located in St. Petersburg (where it was assembled by Severnaya Verf shipyard) and conducted initial trials in the Gulf of Finland.
According to Russian news agency TASS, quoting an industry source, the new generation project 22350 frigate "Admiral Gorshkov" (hull number 417) will continue its sea trials with the Russian Navy Northern Fleet in the Barents Sea. So far, the ship was mostly located in St. Petersburg (where it was assembled by Severnaya Verf shipyard) and conducted initial trials in the Gulf of Finland.
 

French Navy NH90 NFH Caïman Achieves IOC for the Release of Countermeasures
 
The Northern Fleet anti underwater sabotage unit specialists conducted trials of the UAV “Takhion” which was designed to conduct air reconnaissance and detecting small and nearly invisible coastal, surface and underwater objects.
The French Navy (Marine Nationale) announced this week that its NH90 Nato Frigate Helicopter (NFH) "Caïman" achieved its Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the release of countermeasures. This new IOC closely follow the IOC for anti-submarine warfare which we reported a couple weeks ago.
 

Pakistan plans to buy eight S20 Submarines from China based on PLAN's Type 039A SSK
 
According to various media, Pakistan's National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence was told on Tuesday that the government has approved the purchase of eight submarines from China. The deal which is still being negotiated is expected to be one of China’s biggest arms sales. Eventough the details on the exact type of submarine to be procured by the Pakistani Navy are still scarce, Navy Recognition strongly believes it will be S20 submarines.
According to various media, Pakistan's National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence was told on Tuesday that the government has approved the purchase of eight submarines from China. The deal which is still being negotiated is expected to be one of China’s biggest arms sales. Eventough the details on the exact type of submarine to be procured by the Pakistani Navy are still scarce, Navy Recognition strongly believes it will be S20 submarines.
 

US Chief of Naval Ops Adm. Jonathan Greenert Stresses Versatility of Independence Class LCS
 
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert and Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) stressed the versatility of the Independence-Class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) April 1 at a press conference on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. After touring the USS Independence (LCS 2) with the congressman, the CNO highlighted the value of the LCS's ability to be repackaged for multiple missions.
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert and Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) stressed the versatility of the Independence-Class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) April 1 at a press conference on board Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola. After touring the USS Independence (LCS 2) with the congressman, the CNO highlighted the value of the LCS's ability to be repackaged for multiple missions.
 

Indian Navy to Upgrade its Kamov Ka-28 Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopters
 
According to Indian English-language daily newspaper The New Indian Express, the Indian Navy will order the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of six Russian-made Kamov Ka-28 Helix-A anti-submarine warfare helicopters in addition to the complete overhaul of four helicopters of the same type. According to the Indian Defence Acquisition Council who approved the modernisation "Six helicopters will get new sensor, while the focus with the other four is on overhauling the engines".
According to Indian English-language daily newspaper The New Indian Express, the Indian Navy will order the mid-life upgrade (MLU) of six Russian-made Kamov Ka-28 Helix-A anti-submarine warfare helicopters in addition to the complete overhaul of four helicopters of the same type. According to the Indian Defence Acquisition Council who approved the modernisation "Six helicopters will get new sensor, while the focus with the other four is on overhauling the engines".
 

Elbit Systems Integrates Color Helmet Display & Tracking Systems on US Navy MH-60S Seahawk
 
Elbit Systems announced today that its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America, LLC, was awarded a contract from Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to install, integrate and support flight evaluations of the Elbit Color Helmet Display and Tracking System (CHDTS) on MH-60S Seahawk test aircraft for the U.S. Navy. The contract value, which is in an amount that is not material to Elbit Systems, will be performed over one year.
Elbit Systems announced today that its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America, LLC, was awarded a contract from Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to install, integrate and support flight evaluations of the Elbit Color Helmet Display and Tracking System (CHDTS) on MH-60S Seahawk test aircraft for the U.S. Navy. The contract value, which is in an amount that is not material to Elbit Systems, will be performed over one year.
 

US Navy funds two further Independence class Littoral Combat Ships, with option added for a third
 
Austal Limited (Austal) is pleased to announce that construction of two additional Littoral Combat Ships has been funded by the U.S. Navy. The vessels, LCS 22 and LCS 24, will be the ninth and tenth Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships built by Austal as prime contractor under its existing 10-vessel contract with the U.S. Navy. Funding for LCS 22 and LCS 24 adds approximately US$691 million to Austal’s order book, raising it to a total of A$3.1 billion.
Austal Limited (Austal) is pleased to announce that construction of two additional Littoral Combat Ships has been funded by the U.S. Navy. The vessels, LCS 22 and LCS 24, will be the ninth and tenth Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships built by Austal as prime contractor under its existing 10-vessel contract with the U.S. Navy. Funding for LCS 22 and LCS 24 adds approximately US$691 million to Austal’s order book, raising it to a total of A$3.1 billion.
 

US Navy Awards GD Bath Iron Works $610 Million for Construction of DDG 51 Class Destroyer
 
The U.S. Navy has awarded funding for the construction of DDG 122, the Fiscal Year 2015 Arleigh Burke-class destroyer under contract at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. This $610.4 million contract modification fully funds this ship which was awarded in 2013 as part of a multi-ship competition for DDG 51 class destroyers. The total value of the five-ship contract is approximately $3.4 billion. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works is a business unit of General Dynamics.
The U.S. Navy has awarded funding for the construction of DDG 122, the Fiscal Year 2015 Arleigh Burke-class destroyer under contract at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. This $610.4 million contract modification fully funds this ship which was awarded in 2013 as part of a multi-ship competition for DDG 51 class destroyers. The total value of the five-ship contract is approximately $3.4 billion. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works is a business unit of General Dynamics.
 

US Navy Issues Contract Modification to Lockheed Martin to Construct Procure Littoral Combat Ships
 
The U.S. Navy has issued a Lockheed Martin-led industry team a contract modification for one fully funded 2015 Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) valued at $362 million, along with $79 million in advanced procurement funding for a second ship. The balance of the second ship will be funded by Dec. 31, 2015.
The U.S. Navy has issued a Lockheed Martin-led industry team a contract modification for one fully funded 2015 Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) valued at $362 million, along with $79 million in advanced procurement funding for a second ship. The balance of the second ship will be funded by Dec. 31, 2015.
 

India, France to jointly develop 'Maitri' Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile SR-SAM (updated)
 
The indigenous surface-to-air missile Akash failing to inspire enough confidence for deployment on Indian Navy ships, the government has asked the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to engage with the French firm MBDA missile systems for development of short-range surface-to-air missile system (SRSAM).
The indigenous surface-to-air missile Akash failing to inspire enough confidence for deployment on Indian Navy ships, the government has asked the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to engage with the French firm MBDA missile systems for development of short-range surface-to-air missile system (SRSAM).
 

MMCM Programme integrated into OCCAR and MMCM contract awarded
 
On behalf of France and the United Kingdom (UK), OCCAR has awarded the Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) contract to Thales Underwater Systems, in collaboration with BAE Systems and their partners in France (ECA) and in the UK (ASV, Wood & Douglas, SAAB UK). Initiated in 2010 under the Lancaster House cooperation agreement between France and the United Kingdom (the Participating States), the MMCM programme will develop a prototype/ demonstrator autonomous unmanned system for detection and neutralisation of sea mines and underwater improvised explosive devices. The opportunity for cooperation between France and the UK in MMCM initially emerged through participation within the European Defence Agency on requirement definition.
On behalf of France and the United Kingdom (UK), OCCAR has awarded the Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) contract to Thales Underwater Systems, in collaboration with BAE Systems and their partners in France (ECA) and in the UK (ASV, Wood & Douglas, SAAB UK).
 

Ingalls Shipbuilding Awarded Contract to Build Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyer DDG 121
 
Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a $604.3 million contract modification to fund construction of the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) Aegis guided missile destroyer DDG 121 for the U.S. Navy. The ship is the third of five DDG 51 destroyers the company was awarded in June 2013.
Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a $604.3 million contract modification to fund construction of the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) Aegis guided missile destroyer DDG 121 for the U.S. Navy. The ship is the third of five DDG 51 destroyers the company was awarded in June 2013.
 

French Navy L'Adroit OPV Joins EUNAVFOR's Atalanta Anti-Piracy Mission in Indian Ocean
 
The French Navy (Marine Nationale) announced that the L'Adroit Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) joined the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta. For one month, the OPV will patrol the waters between the horn of Africa (Djibouti) and Madagascar.
The French Navy (Marine Nationale) announced that the L'Adroit Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) joined the European Union Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Somalia – Operation Atalanta. For one month, the OPV will patrol the waters between the horn of Africa (Djibouti) and Madagascar.
 

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