April 2020 news

Naval Forces, Defense Industry, Navy Technology, Maritime Security


The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of India of 10 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air-launched missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $92 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

HMS Tamar is a Batch 2 River-class offshore patrol vessel of the Royal Navy currently undergoing Sea Trials. Named after the River Tamar, she will be the fourth Batch 2 River-class vessel to be commissioned. Tamar was lowered into the water on 10 October 2018. The vessel began operational sea trials in late 2019. This is the seventh ship to be named HMS Tamar.

China is about to resume work to further test the first of four planned prototypes of its AG600 “Kunlong”, the world’s largest amphibious aircraft whose technical characteristics will enable it to cover all of the South China Sea. The AG600 is bigger and has a greater take-off weight than Japan's US-2, the world's most advanced flying boat.

On April 9, 2020, "S43" as the third of four HDW Class 209/1400mod submarines was officially handed over by German company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems to the Navy of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Following the very strict corona prevention measures at the shipyard, the handover took place in Kiel without a ceremony, amongst only the inner circle of project managers.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) recently completed testing of vital combat systems while underway in the Atlantic Ocean. These tests, conducted during Ford’s post-delivery test and trials (PDT&T) phase, are designed to stress the ship’s combat system capabilities and demonstrate the successful integration of new technologies, which the crew employs to defend the aircraft carrier.

U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) recently completed testing of vital combat systems while underway in the Atlantic Ocean. These tests, conducted during Ford’s post-delivery test and trials (PDT&T) phase, are designed to stress the ship’s combat system capabilities and demonstrate the successful integration of new technologies, which the crew employs to defend the aircraft carrier.

HMS Audacious, the fourth of seven Astute-class attack submarines being built by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy, set sail from our Barrow-in-Furness site on 6 April. The submarine was guided into open water for the first time before setting off on her inaugural journey to Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde, the home of the UK’s Submarine Service.

Page 4 of 5