Navy Lookout – The RN’s frigates are supposed to be the backbone of the fleet but it has become increasingly difficult to keep the ageing Type 23s going while their replacements are some years away from commissioning. Here we look at the current situation and the implications for future fleet strength.
America’s ‘Air Wing Of The Future’ Takes Shape In The Pacific
Naval News – Making its Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) debut, the USS Carl Vinson’s CVW-2 Advanced Air Wing is bringing unmatched capabilities to the front lines of U.S. Naval Aviation in a way not seen since the Cold War.
US deploys jets and warships as Iran threatens Israel
BBC – The United States will deploy additional warships and fighter jets to the Middle East to help defend Israel from possible attacks by Iran and its proxies, the Pentagon said.
Silent Swarm Exercise Accelerates Navy’s Path To Distributed Electronic Warfare Future
The War Zone – The Navy recently experimented with hundreds of electronic warfare technologies mounted on aerial drones and swarms of uncrewed boats.
The US says it has successfully practiced using a low-cost bomb to sink a major surface ship. China is taking note
CNN – A very specialized part of the world’s largest naval drills off the northern Hawaiian island of Kauai is gaining attention on both sides of the Pacific. Earlier this month, the US and allies practiced taking out a large surface ship with long-range weapons, including, for the first time, a US Air Force B-2 bomber.
Secretive Guided Missile Submarine USS Florida’s Leadership Talks About Their 727-Day Deployment
The War Zone – The 41-year-old prized submarine traveled more than 60,000 miles while packed with special operators and fired Tomahawk cruise missiles at Houthi targets.
July Red Sea recap: Houthis continue to target commercial vessels
Defense News – U.S. forces took down dozens of Iran-backed Houthi drones in the Red Sea and in Yemen this month, as Houthi rebels continue to target civilian and commercial vessels in the region.
Russia Launches New Variant Of Tarantul-Class Corvette
Naval News – On July 29, the Stupinets missile corvette, formerly known as a large missile boat (Bol’shoy raketnyy kater), was launched for the Russian Navy. This vessel of Project 12418 Molniya (Lightning) showcases a design distinct from its export variant, the well-known “Tarantulas,” despite sharing the same design number. Notably, the first Project 1241 ship was commissioned into the Russian Navy in 1979, marking a continuation of this class of vessels in the Russian Navy.
Australia Inks $2.2B Deal to Extend Collins-class Submarines into 2030s
USNI News – The Australian government signed a $2.2 billion four-year contract with national submarine builder ASC last week to keep Canberra’s existing Collins-class submarines in service through the 2030s.
Explosives-Packed Jet Ski Drone Appears Off Turkish Coast
The War Zone – A highly-modified jet ski loaded with explosives has been found off the Turkish coast near Istanbul. The uncrewed vehicle is likely part of a growing armada of Ukrainian kamikaze drone boats that have been notably effective in disrupting Russian Navy activities in the Black Sea and have sunk or damaged multiple warships.
(Thanks to Alain)
Nuclear submarine Knyaz Pozharsky begins sea trials in White Sea
Army Recognition – According to information published by Sputnik on July 29, 2024, the Borei-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine Knyaz Pozharsky has commenced sea trials in the White Sea.
(Thanks to Alain)
China’s Latest Submarine Features X-Shaped Stern
The War Zone – With a longer hull and possible vertical launch cells, the new design is further evidence of China’s rapid submarine developments.
INS Brahmaputra Severely Damaged In Fire, Lying On Its Side; Sailor Missing
NDTV – The fire broke out on board the multirole frigate INS Brahmaputra while she was undergoing refit at the Mumbai naval dockyard, the navy said, adding the ship is lying on its side.
(Thanks to Alain)
Russia Deploys Three Submarines Armed With Cruise Missiles To Sea For The First Time
Naval News – According to Ukrainian Navy spokesmen Dmytro Pletenchuk, Russian Navy deployed three submarines armed with cruise missiles at the same time in the Black Sea. He posted the news on social media.
The Puzzle of Chinese Escalation in the South China Sea
War on the Rocks – Tensions between China and the Philippines have escalated dramatically in recent months around Second Thomas Shoal, a submerged reef in the eastern Spratly Islands…But while China has been escalating with the Philippines at unprecedented levels around Second Thomas Shoal, it has exercised striking restraint toward Vietnam’s far larger and more militarized expansion of its South China Sea outposts.
The evolving approach to maximising Royal Navy warship availability in Portsmouth
Navy Lookout – BAE Systems’ Maritime Services business is responsible for looking after 19 vessels based in Portsmouth. We were invited to see how the company is working to improve its methods, upgrade facilities and develop its people to maximise warship availability and provide greater choice to fleet planners.
Australian admiral warns AUKUS effort may be ‘at risk’ if dry dock issue not solved soon
Breaking Defense – The Royal Australian Navy admiral in charge of readying military facilities for a key port call by nuclear-powered submarines, including the future SSN AUKUS boat, warned this week that Australia’s generational effort to buy and deploy nuclear powered submarines is “at risk” if the government does not take quick, decisive action on infrastructure.
The threat from China and Russia’s space-based SIGINT satellites
The Space Review – China and Russia have extensive space-based sigint capabilities, which can geolocate transmissions from the radars of UK and NATO allies’ navies. This tracking information is then linked to land and naval-based missiles to ensure that they can target the UK and US Navy.
UK First Sea Lord: Joint Crewing Of SSN-AUKUS Submarines Likely
Naval News – The United Kingdom and Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS (SSN-A) submarines will probably be operated by an integrated crew made of Australian and British sailors, the UK’s First Sea Lord said at the Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference in Perth.
General Atomics proposes its Gambit UCAV concept for Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers
Navy Lookout – At the Farnborough Airshow this week, GA-ASI unveiled its GAMBIT 5 catapult-launched Uncrewed Combat Air Vehicle concept for aircraft carriers. Here we look briefly at the idea and its potential for use by the Royal Navy.
Russia completed the dock repair of Ukraine-hit Rostov-on-Don sub
Bulgarian Military – The Project 636.3 Rostov-on-Don diesel-electric submarine, which suffered damage during a missile attack on Sevastopol last year, is now out of the dock and continues its repair work. According to a source from the Russian defense industry, repairs are progressing.
(Thanks to Alain)
U.S. Navy Tests Underway VLS Reloading Mechanism
Naval News – The U.S. Navy’s Transferrable Rearming Mechanism (TRAM), a system capable of reloading missile cells while underway, successfully completed its first ground-based test last week.
Taiwan’s first indigenous submarine appears in Kaohsiung Harbor
Taiwan News – Taiwan’s first indigenous submarine, the “Narwhal,” attracted onlookers as it docked at a pier in Kaohsiung harbor Saturday.
(Thanks to Alain)
UK Eyes Carrierborne Mission For Protector UAVs
Aviation Week – The UK is investigating options to give its new fleet of General Atomics Protector uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) sea legs, with a vision to operate the platform from the country’s two aircraft carriers.
More than 100 Royal Navy submariners sacked for taking drugs in the past five years, shock stats show
The Sun – MORE than 100 Royal Navy submarine crew have been booted out for taking drugs in the past five years, stats show. They tested positive for cocaine, cannabis, ecstasy, and steroids and benzodiazepine.
(Thanks to Alain)
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