S70b News

The Royal Australian Navy’s Amphibious Ship, HMAS Canberra, has completed a graduated operational test and trials program to achieve a key milestone towards Initial Operating Capability. The program included integration of landing craft as well as trials for both the crew, ship and aviation systems. The Navy’s S70B Seahawk, Army’s S70A Blackhawk and the joint MRH-90 Taipan helicopters have now all been evaluated for operations from the Canberra class ships. Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, AO, CSC, RAN, said the milestone meant that Canberra had successfully conducted the required training and evaluation to undertake specific Government directed operations.

Families, friends and well-wishers joined Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AO, CSC, RAN at Garden Island, Sydney to welcome home HMAS Melbourne from a successful Middle East mission. Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert congratulated the 232-strong ship’s company of HMAS Melbourne on her successful deployment, which saw her intercept more than $1 billion in illegal drugs. Commanding Officer HMAS Melbourne…

Vosper Thornycroft (VT) Group will open its naval shipbuilding facility in this spring. The $63M development is located within Portsmouth Naval Base, home of the U.K. Royal Navy’s surface fleet, and will help VT to consolidate its reputation as one of the world’s leading suppliers of naval vessels for overseas navies and the Royal Navy. “The new facility will enable VT and its customers to benefit from major increases in productivity and reductions in costs,” said VT Shipbuilding Managing Director Andrew Bunney. Initially, the facility will be used to build blocks for all the Royal Navy’s new 7,500 tonne Type 45 destroyers. VT will build the forward section, funnel and mast sections for these large ships. VT is also hoping to secure further orders from the U.K.