Naval Systems

Israel Shipyards is expanding the SAAR class of missile boats, extending the range from missile boats into ‘Mini Corvette’ class vessels. The new class is addressing the growing requirements of Israel and other nations in extending maritime control and sovereignty far from their territorial waters. Defense-Update reports from IMDEX 2013. [...]

The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator (UCAS-D) completed its first ever carrier-based catapult launch from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) off the coast of Virginia May 14, 2013. “Today we saw a small, but significant pixel in the future picture of our Navy as we begin integration of [...]

Changi Naval Base, Singapore: 15 warships from nine countries around the world, including the latest patrol vessels, frigates, corvettes and destroyers, sailed into Singapore for the Warships Display at IMDEX Asia 2013 this week. The US Navy’s first ever littoral combat ship, USS Freedom, in its maiden overseas deployment, was [...]

RAFAEL is unveiling at IMDEX 2013 a new missile-carrying variants of the Typhoon marine stabilized weapon system. Defense-Update reports from IMDEX Asia 2013. Two systems – MLS-ER and MLS-NLOS represent two modular evolutions of the combat proven Typhoon, enhancing the operational capabilities of small and medium naval crafts, responding to [...]

RAFAEL is unveiling new missile-carrying variants of the Typhoon marine stabilized weapon system at IMDEX 2013. Two systems – MLS-ER and MLS-NLOS represent two modular evolutions of the combat proven Typhoon, enhancing the operational capabilities of small and medium naval crafts, responding to evolving requirements of navies facing new asymmetric [...]

As domestic economies change into a global market, dependent on the ocean for energy, food and transportation, the open seas becoming contested areas, and pirates, outlaws and terrorists using isolated littorals as safe haven, prowling waterways and the open sea along international merchant routes, no wonder that governments are looking [...]

Fighting modern warfare doesn’t mean you face the most sophisticated weapons or strongest enemies. In fact, combat in asymmetric warfare means facing an illusive enemy that, sometime can be equipped with superior weapons, challenging even the strongest armor and most sophisticated platforms. This article addresses countermeasures to a different type [...]

The U.S. Navy’s X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator performed its first arrested landing at Patuxent River, Naval Air Station in Maryland, on May 4. The landing using arresting gear was a key step in maturing the system for its upcoming carrier-based tests later this month. The X-47B is [...]

The Royal Navy conducted a test firing of Harpoon anti-ship missile from HMS Montrose at the Scottish exercise areas in the Northern sea.

Israel aerospace industries (IAI) Heron and Searcher UAVs of the Indian Navy’s air squadron No. 342 deployed on maritime surveillance missions along with Do-228 and helicopters, during Gemin-2 exercise

The Russian Amphibious Support Ship Azov arrived yesterday at the port of Haifa, in northern Israel, on a three day visit, it is the first time a Russian warship calls at an Israeli port. Defense-Update reports. The Azov is one of six Russian naval vessels deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean, [...]

Israel received today the fifth Dolphin-Class submarine. “INS Rahav” will arrive in Israel during the course of 2013, upon the completion and installation of its relevant systems.

Airbus Military and MBDA have successfully demonstrated the release of an instrumented Marte MK2/S anti-ship inert missile installed under the wing of the C295 maritime patrol aircraft.

India successfully carried out the maiden test firing of a submarine-launched BrahMos missile, lunching the 290 km-range supersonic missile from a submerged ponton simulating a submarine launcher.

Atlas Elektronik and Thales Deutschland have jointly been commissioned to modernize the combat system of the German Class F124 frigates. The modernization will include the hardware replacement and software upgrades of the vessel’s Combat Direction System (CDS). It is scheduled to be completed in 2017.

Integration of Thales SMART-L radar with AEGIS/SM-3 based missile defense systems was recently demonstrated as part of evaluation of integration of European based sensors into the US European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) missile defense initiative.

Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers could join future missile intercept testing conducted by the U.S. missile defense agency (MDA). The tests wille valuate the role the British Type 45 destroyers could take in ballistic missile defense networks, particularly with its and its primary Sampson radar, the main sensor supporting the Sea Viper missiles.

The Royal Navy’s latest, most advanced attack submarine was commissioned into the Royal Navy on Friday, 1 March 2013, during a ceremony at Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde.

DARPA wants to introduce a new class of MALE UAS that will be able to deploy from destroyer and frigate size vessels, such as the Independence Class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS-2),extending the Naval ISR and strike capabilities to deploy faster and farther, anywhere in the world

Russia is considering deploying a permanent naval task force in the Mediterranean Sea. Such a task force will be commanded by the Black Sea Fleet and could consist of up to 10 combat and auxiliary ships deployed on rgathered from three Russian fleets. These vessels could rely on ports in Cyprus, Montenegro, Greece as resupply points, in addition to Syria.

The US Navy’s sixth San Antonio-class amphibious landing platform dock (LPD), USS San Diego (LPD 22), has been declared ready for combat operations following the successful completion of final contract trials (FCT). Conducted by the US Navy Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), the FCT helps ensure that the USS San Diego [...]

The latest Aircraft-Carrier operated Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft – the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye – has been approved to enter full-rate production by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).

Elbit Systems Electro-optics-Elop Ltd. from Israel and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) of India will jointly develop a navalized, stabilised, multi-sensor electro-optical observation system based on ElOp’s ‘Compact Multi Purpose Advance Stabilisation System’ (CoMPASS).

Elbit Systems is launching a maritime configuration of its Hermes 900 medium altitude long endurance drone, aiming at the growing demand for UAS in maritime missions worldwide, and particularly in Asia. The company is unveiling the new configuration at the Aero India 2013 event in Bangalore this week. Maritime surveillance [...]

Eurocopter is proposing the AS565 MBe Panther to the Indian Navy’s planned acquisition of utility helicopters and the Indian Coast Guard’s anticipated purchase of ship-based light/medium helicopters. The Panther naval helicopter is displayed equipped with full armament complement.

Moving a step closer to completing its nuclear triad, India today successfully test-fired a submarine launched ballistic missile, with a strike range of around 750 kilometres. The K-15 Sagarika missile was launched from an underwater pontoon simulating a submarine launcher, in Bay of Bengal. Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) chief VK Saraswat [...]

The Saab group has signed a framework agreement with Italian Piaggio Aero Industries for the integration of surveillance systems in the Multirole Patrol Aircraft – a new surveillance aircraft based on Piaggio Aero’s business plane.

In three years the US Navy could have a prototype of an autonomous anti-submarine warfare vessel that will be able to detect, track and shadow any type of submarine, including ultra-quiet diesel-electric subs, turning these undersea beast from predators into targets.

The UK MOD has committed £2.7 billion for continued work on the Royal Navy future attack submarines. The programme, which has been beset by difficulties since it was commissioned in 1997, is expected to cost up to £10bn for a seven-submarine fleet that is already years late. The lead submarine of this [...]

Much as they did in April of this year, the United States Navy and the Japanese Self-Defense Force (SDF) have deployed missile batteries and Aegis-equipped warships in advance of North Korea’s next rocket launch scheduled for some time between 10 and 22 December. US Navy has also deployed its Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX-1) seaborne radar platform to monitor the North’s launch.

China’s Xinhua News Agency, commonly recognized as the nation’s official news service, announced on 25 November that a J-15 carrier-based fighter-bomber of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) made a successful landing aboard the nation’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning. This landing represents the first known landing of a jet [...]

The new issue of Asia pacific Defense Update is here! This digest of 26 articles highlighting recent defense news events from the region is based on the full version (premium content) from Defense Update and other sources, brought to you in a concise, pdf edition you can store on your desktop, read on tablets and smartphones.

Scheduled to take place at the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth between the 23rd and 25th April 2013, Offshore Patrol & Security 2013 will offer a meeting point for nations wishing to decide upon the future of their maritime security policies along with discussion based presentations focusing on key alliance policies such as NATO and the European Union.

The US Navy has test fired the Israeli Spike Electro-Optically Guided Missile from an unmanned boat last week, on Oct. 24th, as part of an operational demonstration of the weapon conducted as part of an international agreement between Israel Ministry of Defense and the US Combating Terrorist Tactics Support Office.

After decades of relying exclusively on laser and GPS for precision attack, the military and US special operations community is slowly opening to consider Electro-Optically (EO) guided weapons, gaining strike precision at extended range.

The Israel navy has awarded IAI Elta a first contract for the development and integration of the Advanced Lightweight Phased Array (ALPHA) Naval Radar on the Hetz Class Saar 4.5 Missile Boats.

After decades of unchallenged naval supremacy in the Pacific and Indian Ocean, new naval powers are looming in the area, and new alliances are formed.

Australia has invested $73.9 million to complete its investment and enter the US Navy P-8A Poseidon development program as a partner. Once deployed, the Poseidons are likely to be based in RAAF Edinburgh South Australia where the Orions are currently stationed.

The Government of Bangladesh has signed a contract with the Chinese Wuchan Shipyard, for the construction and delivery of two 64 meter corvettes based on the Houjian Class missile boat. The first vessel will be completed in 2013.

The lead ship of a new class of missile frigates was launched last month at Iran’s Southern port city of Bandar Abbas. The new vessel – IRI Sahand was described at the official announcement as the largest, most modern naval vessel built by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The new vessel utilizes a new radar absorbing hull structure, although the design itself is based on the current 1,500 ton Moudge Class light frigate.

Major issues reported during the recent sea trials at the Barnets Sea are delaying the completion and handover of the refurbished Russian built Admiral Gorshkov, aircraft carrier to the Indian Navy at least until July 2013

China’s first aircraft carrier “Liaoning” was commissioned to China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) on September 25, 2012 – fourteen years after the hull ‘Varyag’ was recovered from the naval scrapyard in the Ukraine

The Philippine Navy plans to upgrade its two Hamilton-class cutters with Harpoon anti-ship missile and systems radar systems, converting the former coast guard cutters into combat vessels.

Australian Minister for Defence Stephen Smith announced today that the Government is committed to acquiring 12 new submarines to be assembled in South Australia. He added that this commitment will be reinforced as part of the 2013 Defence White Paper.

North Sea Boats launched the first of four advanced, stealthy, 63 meter trimaran patrol boats for the Indonesian Navy on August 31, 2012. Following the completion, extensive sea trials and testing commencing next month, the KRI KLEWANG is is expected to be fully operational 2013.

The X1 hybrid airborne system, currently in a concept development phase in Rheinmetall Airborne Systems and Swiss UAV, will combine the capabilities of a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft, thus lending itself to a wide variety of missions.

Australia publicly rejected a basing proposal announced by a Washington-based “think tank” that called for basing a United States’ nuclear aircraft carrier strike group at Australia’s naval base near the city of Perth on 23 August. The basing concept, developed by an independent research group, has not been endorsed by the US government.

The third Varshavyanka class submarine was laid down today at the Admiralty Shipyard in St. Petersburg. Upon completion the ‘Stary Oskol’ submarine will join the Russia’s Black Sea Fleet by 2016.

The Swedish Defence and security company Saab has received an order from its German partner Diehl BGT for the Surface-to-Surface Missile RBS15 Mk3. The order value is SEK 168 million, ($25 million, €20 million) and includes options with a total value of SEK 83 million ($12.5 million, €10 million). Deliveries will take place during the period 2014 to 2016.