Bae Systems News

As the United States embarks on clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz, it could draw on an arsenal of drones, explosive‑laden robots and helicopters to reduce risks, though de‑mining crews could still be vulnerable to Iranian attacks.The U.S. is trying to secure the strait from mines as part of efforts to end Iran's disruption of shipping, which has severely curbed global energy supplies since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran at the end of February.But while the U.S.

Anschütz cleared a key milestone on the Royal Australian Navy’s Hunter-class frigate program, successfully completing the Critical Design Review (CDR) for its Warship Integrated Navigation and Bridge Systems (WINBS).The CDR confirms that the system design meets all technical and operational requirements, allowing the program to move into the production and integration phase. For a mission-critical system like WINBS, the milestone provides assurance that the navigation and bridge…

The Scottish Government has announced its intention to award Ferguson Marine the contracts to build four vessels. This decision provides a guaranteed five-year pipeline of work.The package of vessels as part of the proposed award includes the design and build of a new class of Marine Protection Vessel (MPV) and Marine Research Vessel (MRV) for Marine Scotland to replace MPV ‘Minna’ and MRV ‘Scotia,' originally built by Ferguson Marine and currently nearing the end of their service lives.

BAE Systems Launchpad is a new incubator program designed to take dual-use technologies beyond the defense sector and help innovations reach their full commercial potential.Launchpad directly addresses the challenge of moving defense technologies beyond prototype development by spinning them out into independent start-up businesses. This aligns with a key priority outlined in the UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy, which calls for “constant innovation at wartime pace” and highlights…

The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national association representing the U.S. shipbuilding, maintenance and repair industry, announced its new Board of Directors leadership David Carver, President of General Dynamics NASSCO, is ascending from his position as Vice Chairman to Chairman of the Board, assuming the role from Brad Moyer, Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Planning at BAE Systems.Mr. Carver has been a dedicated member of the SCA Board of Directors and has 38 years of shipbuilding and ship repair experience, bringing leadership to his new role.

France-based BIO-UV Group, a specialist in UV-, ozone-, salt-electrolysis- and AOP-based water-treatment technologies, has announced three senior appointments to support and strengthen the company’s expansion across new and existing markets.The changes include the appointment of Jean-Philippe Picard de Muller as Deputy General Manager of BIO-UV Group, the promotion of Steven Brady to Managing Director of Triogen in the United Kingdom, and the arrival of Patrice Garrigues as European Sales Director for the Group’s pool division.

Four major defense companies have proposed the establishment of an AUKUS Combat Systems Collaborative Team in contemplation of a potential role for Australia’s SSN-AUKUS conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines, under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed Wednesday, November 5.BAE Systems, Raytheon Australia, General Dynamics Mission Systems and Thales propose to lead the design and lay the foundations for manufacture and integration of combat systems for SSN-AUKUS under agreements to be negotiated with the Commonwealth of Australia and United Kingdom government.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has been awarded a contract from BAE Systems Maritime Australia (BAESMA) for Naval Classification New Construction Services for the first three Royal Australian Navy Hunter class frigates. The Hunter class frigates are based on the design of the UK Type 26 frigate and are being built at Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.Under the contract, LR will ensure that the design and construction of the anti-submarine warfare frigates are compliant with LR…

UK-based Ferguson Marine has appointed Non-Executive Director, Duncan Anderson, as Interim Chair. This comes as current Board Chair, Andrew Miller, is due to step down upon completion of his three-year term at the end of November. Anderson has served as a Non-Executive Director of Ferguson Marine since March 2025 adding demonstrable shipbuilding expertise as a Chartered Marine Engineer with over 40 years of experience in ship operations and shipbuilding.Graeme Thomson, CEO of Ferguson Marine…

Norway-based ship designer HAV Design has appointed Richard Schofield as its new managing director.Schofield has 20 years’ management experience from maritime industries. He has held leadership roles at maritime suppliers Kongsberg Evotec and Vard Electro, at aquaculture industry supplier Optimar, and at ship designer Ulstein Design & Solutions. Schofield started his career at defense industry supplier BAE Systems.He joins HAV Design from a role as head of industrial competitiveness at cross-industrial cluster organization NCE iKuben.

Babcock has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BAE Systems Bofors to offer a comprehensive package of support for the Royal Navy’s Type 31 Inspiration Class frigates multi-purpose Bofors guns.Babcock and BAE Systems Bofors will work collaboratively for the anticipated in-service support (ISS) opportunity for the Bofors 40 Mk4 and 57 Mk3 Naval Gun Systems.The companies are already working together as the Bofors guns are being installed on the fleet of five Type 31…

Davie Defense Inc. gives a first glimpse today of the “American Icebreaker Factory” – a planned $1 billion transformation of the historic Gulf Copper shipyard in Galveston, Texas.The American Icebreaker Factory concept was created in collaboration with Florida-based Pearlson, which has led major projects for leading American shipbuilders, including BAE Systems, Austal USA and Fincantieri Marinette.The American Icebreaker Factory project embodies the Trump Administration’s priorities…

Norway said on Sunday it had chosen Britain as its strategic partner for the acquisition of new frigates in its biggest ever military investment, in a deal worth some 10 billion pounds ($13.51 billion) to boost the Nordic country's maritime defence.Germany, France, Britain and the United States had offered rival frigate designs in competition."The frigates are an essential part of our defence because they are key to defend our sovereignty," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told a press conference.Norway is NATO's monitor for the vast 2 million square kilometres (772…

McCullough Engineering Services (MES) announced the successful completion of restoration efforts on the Stuyvesant, a trailing suction hopper dredge owned by The Dutra Group. The vessel suffered significant fire damage on November 2, 2024, and was returned to full operational status in less than eight months, completing sea trials on June 20, 2025.The repair work was conducted at BAE Systems Jacksonville, with MES leading the project from damage assessment through final commissioning.

Britain said on Monday it would radically change its approach to defence to address threats from Russia, nuclear risks and cyber-attacks by investing in drones and digital warfare rather than relying on a much larger army to engage in modern combat.Responding to U.S. President Donald Trump's insistence that Europe take more responsibility for its own security, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged the largest sustained increase in British defence spending since the end of the Cold War.But with limited finances…

The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA), the national association representing the U.S. shipbuilding, maintenance, and repair industry, announced its annual member safety awards for the 2024 calendar year. This year, 14 shipyards are receiving awards for their achievements in safety. The shipbuilding industry continues to improve on safety metrics year after year. This commitment to safety has allowed U.S. shipyards to address and adapt their continuing operations to any obstacles that arose throughout the year.To qualify for an SCA Safety Award…

BAE Systems has announced inauguration of a $250 million shiplift and land-level repair facility at its Jacksonville, Florida, shipyard on June 2, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Acting Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jim Kilby.The new Pearlson Shiplift system and adjacent four-acre land-level complex will expand the company’s capacity to service U.S. Navy vessels from Mayport Naval Station, as well as commercial ships entering the Port of Jacksonville. The facility…

Navantia UK has announced the appointment of Derek Jones as Chief Commercial and Business Development Officer.Jones brings over 30 years of experience in the defense sector to Navantia UK, including leadership roles at Babcock International Group, BAE Systems, and GEC Marconi. Most recently, he served as Managing Director of the Type 31 Frigate Program at Babcock, where he led a USD$2 billion (£1.5 billion) capital asset design and manufacture contract with the UK Ministry of Defence.During his time at Babcock…

Scottish shipbuilder Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) has appointed a Graeme Thomson as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).Graeme will officially take up the position on May 1, 2025, following on from former interim CEO, John Petticrew.Graeme joins Ferguson Marine from international aerospace, defense and nuclear engineering services business, Babcock, where he has been Programme Director since 2019, overseeing the delivery of the Type 31 Royal Navy frigate program.Prior to joining Babcock…

Maritime UK Solent is set to put Maritime Defense at the heart of discussions at the inaugural Solent Coastal Powerhouse Summit on March 26 - 27, 2025, at ABP’s Ocean Cruise Terminal in Southampton.The UK Government has announced the biggest sustained increase in defense spending since the Cold War, and the Solent Coastal Powerhouse Summit aims to provide a platform high-profile speakers and thought leaders from across the sector. They will provide critical insights into the vital…

Zelim, the Edinburgh-based safety and survival systems innovator, has appointed Doug Baxter as its new Chairman. Baxter has 30 years of industry experience, working as a former CEO of Survitec, as well as holding senior executive positions with BAE Systems, GEC Marconi, and Survival Systems International (3SI).He will replace the current Chair Doug Duguid, who will remain on the Zelim's Board as Investor Director. The appointment of Baxter as Chairman coincides with the appointment of David Griffiths as Non-Exec Director and Barry Park as Sales Director.

Britain said on Friday it had awarded Rolls-Royce RR.L a $11 billion eight-year contract to design, make and support the nuclear reactors that power its fleet of submarines, amid U.S. calls for higher defence spending.The deal will strengthen the Royal Navy's continuous at-sea deterrent - under which at least one nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine patrols the seas at all times - while also boosting the AUKUS defence pact with the United States and Australia, Britain's Ministry of Defence (MOD) said.Amid rising tensions with Russia…

Vigor announced that Mark Norris has joined the company as Vice President of Marine Fabrication, to be based in the company's Vancouver, Washington facility.Vigor is currently in production on the Maneuver Support Vehicle (Light), or MSVL, the U.S. Army’s new generation landing craft. He will be responsible for growing and maintaining an experienced, skilled team, while leading Vigor’s defense and commercial marine fabrication projects.“We are fortunate to have someone with Mark’s wealth of experience and knowledge joining at a critical time for Vigor’s Marine Fabrication division…