By Dr MJ 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 […]
The digital era is ushering in a new phase of technological advancements that will revolutionize maritime defence. Extended reality (XR), artificial intelligence (AI), secure connectivity, and data collection are just a few of the solutions that the Royal Navy can leverage to enhance operations, maintenance, navigation, and mission management. As Fairbanks Morse Defense explains, immersive […]
The Royal Navy has teamed up with Imperial College London to test a cutting-edge navigation system that could revolutionise warship navigation and is using the prototype of a ‘quantum sensor’ developed by academics at Imperial College London on its experimentation and trials ship Patrick Blackett. According to the Royal Navy, the technology has the potential […]
In June 2023, the Denmark’s Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) signed an agreement with Danske Patruljeskibe – a consortium comprising Terma, Odense Maritime Technology and PensionDanmark – for the design for a new generation of patrol vessels for the Danish Armed Forces. In so doing, DALO has selected Danske Patruljeskibe as the party responsible […]
The Royal Navy is transitioning mine countermeasures capability from ships to unmanned, autonomous units and a distributed, disaggregated force that makes use of networking, autonomy and artificial intelligence. With a series of operational demonstrators already on contract as part of Block 1 of the Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme, the Ministry of Defence and UK […]
The US Navy has outlined plans for the upgrade of two of the oldest surface combatants still serving in the Middle East region. Acting on behalf of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) International Fleet Support Program (PMS 326), the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division (NUWC) Keyport has canvassed industry interest in the modernisation of […]
Type 26 to get fully automated ammunition system for Mk45 gun as Type 23 is upgraded with enhanced torpedo launch systems Royal Navy surface combatants including the Type 26 frigate and Type 23 frigates are to be the recipients of new weapons handling technology. BAE Systems Inc has received a US$219 million contract to equip […]
Quebec, Canada-based Chantier Davie Canada has exercised an exclusive option to acquire the assets of Finland’s Helsinki Shipyard Oy (HSO). Exercising the option does not mean an acquisition is completed. It is subject to the successful execution of thorough due diligence, including financial, regulatory and legal considerations, as well as final decision making by Davie. […]
Leonardo DRS has been awarded contracts valued at more than US$1 billion, when fully funded to provide integrated electric propulsion components for the US Navy’s next-generation Columbia-class submarine. The Columbia-class submarines will replace the fleet of Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. The integrated electric propulsion components will be manufactured in the company’s Fitchburg, Massachusetts, Menominee Falls, […]
Huntingdon Ingalls Shipbuilding (HII) says its Newport News Shipbuilding division recently received approval as a vendor to provide additive manufacturing components to Naval Sea Systems (NAVSEA) platforms. Certification enables NNS to use additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, to fabricate pipefittings or other potential components for use on aircraft carriers, submarines and other NAVSEA platforms. In […]
The Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division marked a major milestone in the new DDG(X) Land Based Test Site (LBTS) during a ribbon cutting ceremony on 21 March 2023. The test site will be used to support and improve reliability and capability and will also assist with risk reduction […]
The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) completed an 18-month docking planning incremental availability at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility on 21 March 2023. Work completed during the availability, which began on 10 September 2021, included a variety of regularly scheduled maintenance as well as modernization upgrades. The project […]