Indian Navy receives first Hawk Mk132 trainer aircraft from HAL
The Indian Navy has taken delivery of the first Hawk Mk132 advanced jet trainer (AJT) aircraft from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The delivery forms part of previously awarded contract to HAL by the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 2010, for production and delivery of 17 Hawk aircraft for the Indian Navy and 40 aircraft for the Indian Air Force, under the license from BAE Systems.
HAL is scheduled to deliver the first five AJT aircraft in the current fiscal, followed by remaining aircraft to Indian Navy in next three years.
US Navy begins MZ-3A blimp airship operations in DC region
The US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and the US Navy have began operations of the MZ-3A lighter-than-air blimp, in regions surrounding Washington DC, in the US.
Operated by the US Navy’s science and technology research squadron, Scientific Development Squadron ONE (VXS-1), the MZ-3A is conducting aerial mapping operations under special approval of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Powered by two Lycoming engines, the 178ft-long MZ-3A has been designed to use as a testbed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) sensors, requiring a stable and vibration free test eninronment.
DCNS launches French Navy’s third FREMM frigate
DCNS has rolled out the French Navy’s third Aquitaine-Class FREMM multimission ship, Provence, from the building dock at its Lorient facility in France.
Construction on the vessel began in December 2010 and it is due to be fitted with masts, sensors, radars, antennas, cameras and jammers by DCNS specialists and subcontractor teams.
DCNS is under contract to build 12 FREMM ships, of which 11 vessels are for the French Navy, with one reserved for the Royal Moroccan Navy.
Babcock to upgrade Royal Navy’s Trafalgar-Class submarine system
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a contract to Babcock to design and develop the first phase of the communications coherency for submarines (CCSM) system’s obsolescence update, in support of the UK Royal Navy’s Trafalgar-Class nuclear-powered submarine.
Upgrades to the CCSM system will address near-term obsolescence issues, while enhancing the system’s life over the operational service of the final four Trafalgar-Class submarines.
The CCSM modernisation programme will be performed in two stages, with the first involving an update to the hardware and software handling the military signal messages, while the second phase will address the legacy communications equipment routing infrastructure.
Swedish Maritime Administration receives first AW139 helicopter
The Swedish Maritime Administration has received the first AW139 intermediate helicopter from AgustaWestland, during a ceremony held at Vergiate plant, Italy.
The aircraft has been delivered as part of a contract awarded by the Swedish Maritime Administration to AgustaWestland, in 2012, to deliver seven AW139 intermediate twin-engine helicopters.
Configured to support the administration’s search-and-rescue (SAR) missions, all the aircraft will be delivered by within 2014.
Russia defers Borei-Class sub trials following Bulava launch failure
The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has deferred the trials of second and third Borei-Class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, Alexander Nevsky and Vladimir Monomakh, following an unsuccessful launch of a Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), a Russian defence ministry spokesman said.
RIA Novisti cited a spokesman as saying the Bulava SLBM had been launched from the Alexander Nevsky submarine to hit the Kura test site in Kamchatka during state trials.
Following its launch off the White Sea, the missile underwent a malfunction in one of its systems during the second minute of the flight.
US Senate Committee approves military strike against Syria
The Obama administration has been authorised by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee to carry out military strike on Syria, in response to an alleged chemical weapons attack last month.
The committee, which reached ten majority votes in favour and seven against, permitted US President Barak Obama to launch the limited military strike on the Syrian regime, provided it did not exceed 90 days and would not involve the deployment of US troops on the ground for combat missions.
The vote follows objections to an earlier draft, which were raised by the proponent of US military action in Syria and US Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.).
Australian Navy’s radar and combat management system completes trials
The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Australian-designed phased array radar and combat management system upgrades to the Anzac-Class ship anti-ship missile defence (ASMD) system has successfully completed the final operational acceptance trial.
During the trials, the team fired the evolved sea sparrow missile (ESSM) from the Anzac-Class ship HMAS Perth (FFH 157) and hit one of the world’s most advanced supersonic targets off the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Hawaii, US.
The testing, which also involved ESSM engagements of multiple sea-skimming targets, has been conducted by RAN and the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), as part of the Anzac-Class frigates’ ASMD modernisation programme.
.gif)
