A spate of tests and demonstration projects are being used to advance the introduction into service of a range of uncrewed assets. Potential naval applications of uncrewed surface vessels and of unmanned underwater and above water units continues to proliferate in the US and in Europe as recent developments attest. In July 2023, the Defence […]
Dr M.J. Cianni, CEng., FRINA, FIEAust In order for the AUKUS submarines to operate for 33 years without refuelling they will need to use highly enriched uranium (HEU) at 93% to 97%, with a mass in excess of 200kg. Since HEU is highly efficient, enabling a 200kg HEU mass over 33 years would give a […]
The US Navy’s latest Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel, USNS Cody (EPF 14), was launched at Austal USA’s shipyard on 20 March 2023. Capable of transporting personnel and cargo up to 1,200 nautical miles at a speed of 35 knots, each EPF vessel has a flight deck to support day and night aircraft launch and […]
On 29 March 2023, the first of the 12 mine countermeasure vessels in the Belgian-Dutch Robotic mine countermeasure (rMCM) programme, M940 Oostende, which is intended for the Belgian Navy, was floated out in Concarneau. The launching ceremony took place in the presence of Ludivine Dedonder, Belgian Minister of Defence, Kajsa Ollongren, Dutch Minister of Defence, and […]
A contract has been awarded for ongoing support of the NATO Submarine Rescue System as other countries also invest in submarine rescue capability In December 2022, UK-based JFD was awarded a further contract in support of the NATO Submarine Rescue System (NSRS). The NSRS ‘Third In-Service Support’ (3ISS) contract is a five-year contract that is […]
British-led Team Resolute, comprising BMT, Harland & Wolff and Navantia UK, has been appointed as the preferred bidder to deliver three support ships to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). The £1.6 billion (US$1.9 billion) contract to build the vessels providing munitions, stores and provisions to the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers, destroyers and frigates deployed at […]