Combat Equipment News

Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) operates hundreds of boats all the way from a 7-meter Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) to a 78-foot patrol boat, as well as construction equipment such as cranes, bulldozers, pumps, cranes, vehicles and chain saws and Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) equipment.Maintaining all of it comes under the watchful eye of Force Maintenance Director Dave Noel.“I’m the guy that fixes the equipment we buy,” Noel said. “Once it’s fielded, it’s our job to keep it operational…

Indian Navy commissioned LCU L52 - a landing craft - which will be deployed for a variety of activities including transporting battle tanks and other heavy weapons systems. "Dr. Jagdish Mukhi, Lieutenant Governor, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, commissioned IN LCU L52 into the Indian Navy on 21 August 2017 at Port Blair. IN LCU L52 is the second Landing Craft Utility (LCU) Mk-IV class to be inducted into the Indian Navy," said a press release from the Navy. The ship has been indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata. The commissioning of L-52 is yet another manifestation of the potential of the country’s indigenous design and ship building capability.

In keeping with India’s national objective of ensuring a secure and stable regional environment to allow unhindered economic and social development, not just in India, but also in the Indian Ocean Region, Indian Naval Ship Shardul is on a two month long deployment in the South Indian Ocean with an aim to provide surveillance support in the region. The warship during the initial phase of deployment carried out joint EEZ surveillance of Mauritius from 08 – 26 March 2017 in close coordination with National Coast Guard, Mauritius. Post successful completion of joint EEZ Surveillance of Mauritius, the warship entered EEZ of Seychelles on 27 March 2017 for Phase I of EEZ surveillance. The warship under the command of Commander Rohit Mishra entered Port Victoria on 28 March 2017 for OTR.

Seaspan joined Harjit S. Sajjan, Canada’s Minister of National Defense, at an official ceremony today to celebrate the completion of the Halifax-Class Modernization/Frigate Life Extension (HCM/FELEX) Refit Program on the West Coast, and transfer of the HMCS Regina from Seaspan’s Victoria Shipyards (VSL) to the Department of National Defense (DND) Dockyard. HMCS Regina is the fifth and final frigate to undergo modernization on the West Coast for the $4.3 billion HCM/FELEX Program. VSL has served as Canada’s capability partner on the West Coast under HCM/FELEX since 2008, providing mid-life maintenance activities, machinery control and combat equipment upgrades for the HMCS Calgary, HMCS Winnipeg, HMCS Vancouver, HMCS Ottawa and HMCS Regina.

After a seven-decade odyssey, PT-305 is back home in New Orleans, Louisiana, preparing to serve her country again. Built by Higgins Industries in 1943 for the U.S. Navy, this 78' patrol torpedo vessel sank three enemy craft in the World War II Mediterranean Theater of Operations. PT-305 is now in the final stages of refurbishment at the National WWII Museum's John E. Kushner Restoration Pavilion. Engine room ventilation expert Delta "T" Systems plays a role in this historical vessel's return to service through its donation of 110V fans and DC blowers for PT-305.

The imperative for a holistic United States maritime strategy has never been greater. This is not news to many of you, but the call must be raised more persistently, more vocally and by many more of us, in order to drive action beyond rhetoric. The National Strategy for the Marine Transportation System was published in July 2008 by the previous administration. We are now in the second iteration of leadership changes at the Department of Transportation and Maritime Administration since the strategy was issued. The White House, the Congress, and the maritime industry should collectively and collaboratively address the evermore pressing…

Thales U.K. signed a 10-year contract with the Ministry of Defense (MOD), worth up to £600 million, for the in-service support of the Royal Navy’s major sensor systems. The new Sensors Support Optimization Project (SSOP) builds on the Thales’s Contractor Logistics Support contract, originally signed in 2003, which has provided support to the Royal Navy’s sonar and electronic warfare systems for the past 10 years. Under the terms of SSOP, the in-service support contract has been extended to include all of the Royal Navy’s submarine visual systems…

Davie Yards Inc. (TSX:DAV) introduced its proposal for the implementation of a National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy aimed at renewing the federal fleet and building world-class shipbuilding capability in Canada, while providing more predictable work for the maritime industry. "Davie's proposal is based on our belief that Canadian yards can achieve a competitive position vis-à-vis European yards in building complex ships. In order to create such competitiveness, we are proposing that major federal shipbuilding projects be allocated to a select number of yards that will develop expertise and thus make it possible to secure the right costs and prices for the fleet renewal program," explained Steinar Kulen, President and Chief Executive Officer at Davie.

Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Sacagawea Boatswain's Mate Clarence Johnson (far left) and Medical Services Officer Paul Manning (third from right) helped rescue 10 Iraqi mariners (pictured) from the sinking coastal tanker MV Nadi February 22 in the Central Arabian Gulf. Military Sealift Command dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Sacagawea rescued 10 Iraqi citizens from a sinking 250-ft. coastal tanker in the Central Arabian Gulf Friday, February 22. The Bahrain…

Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Sperry Marine business unit has received the BAE Systems Bronze Chairman’s Award for Innovation in recognition of pioneering work performed on the network data system for the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyer program. Sperry Marine’s team played a critical role in developing a data communications network for the Royal Navy’s next-generation destroyer. The network control system links the ship’s electronic engine control system, electrical power management system and platform management system, ensuring uninterrupted flow of vital data among the three critical elements. Sperry Marine is supplying the platform management system for the Type 45 destroyers under contract from BAE Systems.

Lockheed Martin's advanced hullform ship Sea SLICE will participate as a littoral warfare ship in the Navy's Fleet Battle Experiment Juliet (FBE-J) this summer. Sea SLICE, designated as a High Speed Vessel (HSV) for the exercise, will demonstrate the flexibility achievable by "modularity" in a small, fast, highly maneuverable platform. Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics and Surveillance Systems (NE&SS)-Marine Systems has overall responsibility for developing Sea SLICE. Systems, NE&SS-Surface Systems, Missiles and Fire Control, Mission Systems and Information Systems, are contributing technologies that will be included in the ship. During FBE-J…

GE Marine Engines’ LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines and main reduction gears power the eighth and final Strategic Sealift ship, the USNS Soderman, recently launched by National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO). “GE is proud to have supplied the engines, gears and automation systems for the eighth Sealift ship. This brings the total number of U.S. Navy ships fitted with GE’s gas turbines to 192,” said Karl Matson, General Manager of GE Marine Engines. “Our engines continue to provide the Navy with outstanding reliability, logging over 7.5 million operating hours in service for our country,” Matson added. Two GE LM2500s are used on each gas turbine-powered Sealift vessel. The gas turbines offer 32,000 horsepower -- a special rating for the Sealift operating profile.

Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) has signed a contract with the UAE Armed Forces to complete major combat system upgrades for a series of six Missile patrol Boats in the UAE Navy's existing fleet. Valued at more than $50 million, the contract will significantly improve the capabilities of these vessels by integrating and installing new, state-of-the-art combat equipment as well as substantially upgrading the existing shipboard systems. The UAE Navy chose ADSB as the prime contractor for this project, which is known as Tarif-45. ADSB will have full responsibility for the complex upgrades that will be performed at the company's Abu Dhabi facilities.

combat equipment and supplies at four commercial ports throughout Europe. armed forces to continental Europe. In the event of a major mobilization of U.S. military cargo overseas, 95 percent would be deployed by sea. At MSC Europe, naval reservists support sealift requirements throughout the year and are key players during wartime or other contingencies. with sealift operations wherever needed. During this exercise, port offices were established at Rota, Spain; Bremerhaven, Germany; Augusta Bay, Italy; Livorno, Italy; and Rotterdam, The Netherlands. wide-variety of functions to support MSC ships, such as on-load and off-load operations, shore services, ship repairs and on-site personnel support.

Next generation technology used to wage wars of the future will be on display for two weeks off the coast of California later this month. The upcoming Fleet Battle Experiment-Juliet (FBE-J) will offer the military an unprecedented glance at how established and emerging technologies work in sync. Sea SLICE will participate as a littoral warfare ship in FBE-J, as a High Speed Vessel (HSV) for the exercise. Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics and Surveillance Systems (NE&SS)-Marine Systems — which has overall responsibility for developing Sea SLICE — shared with MR/EN some of the secrets behind its success. As the military evolves increasingly toward the collection…

"MSC has been conspicuous because its people and ships generally have been where the action has been." Rear Adm. Rear Adm. Keener made this observation on the U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command's 30th anniversary in October 1979. His words still hold true 20 years later as MSC, the ocean transportation specialists for the Department of Defense, celebrates its 50th anniversary. Today, MSC operates about 120 ships worldwide with 100 more ships in reserve status. What sets MSC ships apart from other Navy ships is all MSC ships are crewed by civil service or contract merchant mariners instead of active duty Navy people. Using civilian crews frees active duty Navy personnel for more traditional war-fighting assignments. MSC ships wear many hats for DOD.

General (Ret.) John Coburn, CEO and Chairman of VT Systems Inc., announced the appointment of Boyd E. (Butch) King as CEO of VT Halter Marine Inc. at a company event celebrating the acquisition of VT Halter Marine. “King brings tremendous experience to his new position,” stated Gen. Coburn. Most recently a senior associate with Booz Allen and Hamilton, King consulted on various logistical support projects. Among other, this included the study and recommendation to revamp the Balkan Military Support initiative for the United States Army Europe. King also played an instrumental role in developing the Capstone Training Course for the first Interim Brigade Combat Team command and staff for the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command. Prior, King had a successful 35-year career in the U.S.

Boyd E. (Butch) King was appointed CEO of VT Halter Marine Inc. at the beginning of the month. "King brings tremendous experience to his new position," said General (Ret.) John Coburn, CEO and Chairman of VT Systems Inc., in announcing the appointment. "He will be at the forefront to ensure that VT Halter Marine contributes to the profitability of our marine sector." King most recently served as a senior associate with Booz Allen and Hamilton, consulting on various logistical support projects. Among others, this included the study and recommendation to revamp the Balkan Military Support initiative for the United States Army Europe. King…

Boyd E. (Butch) King was appointed CEO of VT Halter Marine Inc. at the beginning of the month. King most recently served as a senior associate with Booz Allen and Hamilton, consulting on various logistical support projects. Among others, this included the study and recommendation to revamp the Balkan Military Support initiative for the United States Army Europe. King also played an instrumental role in developing the Capstone Training Course for the first Interim Brigade Combat Team command and staff for the Army's Training and Doctrine Command. King had a successful 35-year career in the U.S. Army, culminating in his appointment as Director of Transportation, Energy and Troop Support on the Army staff.

On August 5, MSC awarded Maersk Line, Limited, of Norfolk, Va., a five year contract that could total $400 million to operate and maintain eight large, medium-speed, RoRo ships that strategically preposition Army equipment in the Indian Ocean near Diego Garcia. MSC’s Propositioning Program has 35 strategically located ships laden with military equipment, supplies and fuel for the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Defense Logistics Agency. Fifteen ships carry combat equipment and sustaining supplies for the U.S. Army, enough to sustain two Army heavy brigades- up to 8,000 personnel- for up to 30 days.

National Steel and Shipbuilding Company has been awarded a seven-year contract for the continuous maintenance and repair of four LSD-41/49 class ships and four LPD-4 class ships for the U.S. Navy. The contract includes one drydocking and 12 non- docking availabilities and has an estimated total value of $200 million over the seven-year period. All eight ships are scheduled to be home-ported in San Diego during the contract period. They are the USS GERMANTOWN (LSD 42), USS COMSTOCK (LSD 45), USS RUSHMORE (LSD 47) and USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52); and the USS OGDEN (LPD 5), USS CLEVELAND (LPD 7), USS DUBUQUE (LPD 8) and USS DENVER (LPD 9).

A Military Sealift Command-chartered ship, MV Tor Futura, arrived in Szczecin, Poland, on March 9 to off-load nearly 20,000 square feet of Slovakian army cargo. Slovakian troops served in Iraq until January. While in Szczecin, Tor Futura also loaded nearly 85,000 square feet of Polish army cargo including trucks, trailers and various containers of combat equipment. This cargo is bound for Afghanistan where Polish troops are serving on the front lines of the global war on terrorism. Military Sealift Command (MSC), the U.S. Navy’s sea transportation command, continues to support coalition troops engaged in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. Soldiers from the U.S. Army’s Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC), MSC’s sister organization under U.S.

The first of three Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships set to carry Army cargo to Iraq this month began loading here April 3. The cargo belongs to the Third Infantry Division’s Second Brigade Combat Team and Combat Aviation Brigade of Ft. Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., which will deploy to Iraq later this year. Container ship MV American Tern, a privately owned, U.S.-flagged ship under long-term charter to MSC, is currently using three shipboard cranes to load 550 pieces of cargo consisting mostly of 20-foot containers. In addition, MSC’s large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ships USNS Watson (T-AKR 310), and USNS Charlton (T-AKR 314) will load thousands of pieces of military equipment, including helicopters, Humvees, tanks and trucks.