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February 2013 Maritime Defense Industry and World Naval Forces News
 
 

First Littoral Combat Ship, USS Freedom (LCS 1) to Deploy in March
 
During a media availability Feb. 21, Navy officials announced the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) is on track to begin its first deployment March 1. This milestone was announced by the LCS Council, a group established by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert Aug. 22, to oversee continued fleet testing and the introduction of the LCS.
During a media availability Feb. 21, Navy officials announced the littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) is on track to begin its first deployment March 1. This milestone was announced by the LCS Council, a group established by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert Aug. 22, to oversee continued fleet testing and the introduction of the LCS.
 

U.S. 4th Fleet Says Joint High Speed Vessel is a Perfect Match
 
The US Navy's first joint high-speed vessel, USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), made a brief stop at Naval Station Mayport Feb. 14 to introduce the ship to Commander, U.S. 4th Fleet on its way to its new homeport in Little Creek, Va. The port call is an opportunity for senior officials and military personnel from U.S. 4th Fleet to visit the ship and receive capability briefings for future operational planning.

The US Navy's first joint high-speed vessel, USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), made a brief stop at Naval Station Mayport Feb. 14 to introduce the ship to Commander, U.S. 4th Fleet on its way to its new homeport in Little Creek, Va. The port call is an opportunity for senior officials and military personnel from U.S. 4th Fleet to visit the ship and receive capability briefings for future operational planning.

 

Russian Navy Ilyushin Il-38 May and Tupolev Tu-142 Bear Start Arctic Patrols
 
Russian Northern Fleet aircraft have started patrolling the Arctic Ocean on a regular basis, Defense Ministry spokesman Capt. First Rank Vadim Serga said on Thursday. “So far this week, Northern Fleet aircrews have made three flights to the Arctic region,” he said. Two flights were made by an Ilyushin Il-38 May maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft and one by a Tupolev Tu-142 Bear maritime reconnaissance and ASW aircraft, he said.
Russian Northern Fleet aircraft have started patrolling the Arctic Ocean on a regular basis, Defense Ministry spokesman Capt. First Rank Vadim Serga said on Thursday. “So far this week, Northern Fleet aircrews have made three flights to the Arctic region,” he said. Two flights were made by an Ilyushin Il-38 May maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft and one by a Tupolev Tu-142 Bear maritime reconnaissance and ASW aircraft, he said.
 

MDA test marks first time Aegis uses information from satellites to track, intercept target
 
In business, time is money. When it comes to missile defense, time is even more valuable. The sooner an attack is detected the better the chances it can be destroyed. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) took a giant step in shaving that detection time on Feb. 13 when the USS Lake Erie’s Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system used remote tracking information provided by satellites to intercept a medium range unitary ballistic missile target for the first time.
In business, time is money. When it comes to missile defense, time is even more valuable. The sooner an attack is detected the better the chances it can be destroyed. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) took a giant step in shaving that detection time on Feb. 13 when the USS Lake Erie’s Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) system used remote tracking information provided by satellites to intercept a medium range unitary ballistic missile target for the first time.
 

French Navy Destroyer Chevalier Paul (D621) attached to USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) CVBG
 
Since January 28th 2013, the French Navy air defense Destroyer Chevalier Paul (2nd ship of Forbin class) is attached to CSG3 (Carrier Strike Group 3) which centerpiece is US Navy's nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). On February 6th, CSG3 sailed through Ormuz to reach the Gulf of Oman.
Since January 28th 2013, the French Navy air defense Destroyer Chevalier Paul (2nd ship of Forbin class) is attached to CSG3 (Carrier Strike Group 3) which centerpiece is US Navy's nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). On February 6th, CSG3 sailed through Hormuz strait to reach the Gulf of Oman.
 

French Shipyard SOCARENAM to deliver two "Ready Duty Ship" Patrol Vessels to Belgian Navy
 
The French shipyard SOCARENAM will build two coastal patrol vessels to the Belgian Navy. The company has won the contract to produce two Ready Duty Ships. With a contract of 26.6 million euros, SOCARENAM remains below the 34 million planned for this procurement.
The French shipyard SOCARENAM will build two coastal patrol vessels to the Belgian Navy. The company has won the contract to produce two Ready Duty Ships. With a contract of 26.6 million euros, SOCARENAM remains below the 34 million planned for this procurement.
 

Initial Operational Test and Evaluation reports E-2D Advanced Hawkeye ready for full-rate production
 
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 1 declared the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye “suitable and effective” in an Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) report, aiding the Defense Acquisition Board in approving the aircraft for full-rate production in January.
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 1 declared the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye “suitable and effective” in an Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) report, aiding the Defense Acquisition Board in approving the aircraft for full-rate production in January.
 

French Navy Aquitaine FREMM Frigate succesfully fires its first MBDA Aster 15 surface-to-air missile
 
On Monday, 4th February 2013, first of class Aquitaine, the newest class of frigate in the French Navy’s fleet, has successfully fired its first MBDA Aster 15 air defence missile in the Mediterranean from the DGA (French Procurement Agency) Missile test centre. The FREMM is the third type of ship of the French Navy equipped with Aster missiles after the Charles de Gaulle nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier (CVN) and the Forbin class air defense Destroyers (DDG).
On Monday, 4th February 2013, first of class Aquitaine, the newest class of frigate in the French Navy’s fleet, has successfully fired its first MBDA Aster 15 air defence missile in the Mediterranean from the DGA (French Procurement Agency) Missile test centre. The FREMM is the third type of ship of the French Navy equipped with Aster missiles after the Charles de Gaulle nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier (CVN) and the Forbin class air defense Destroyers (DDG).
 

Agusta Westland selects Thales to supply FLASH Compact dipping sonars
 
Agusta Westland has selected Thales as the supplier of compact dipping sonars to equip its Lynx light helicopters for export markets. The latest in Thales’s FLASH range, the FLASH Compact is designed for smaller and lighter helicopters than those already using the FLASH sonar.
Agusta Westland has selected Thales as the supplier of compact dipping sonars to equip its Lynx light helicopters for export markets. The latest in Thales’s FLASH range, the FLASH Compact is designed for smaller and lighter helicopters than those already using the FLASH sonar.
 

CMN introduces a new multipurpose Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) concept: the MRV 80
 
CMN in 2013 confirms its commitment to providing innovative concepts by introducing
CMN in 2013 confirms its commitment to providing innovative concepts by introducing
new designs demonstrating the performance of its ships. At Euromaritime, the “Marine Business Show” currently being held in Paris, French shipbuilder CMN introduces a new multipurpose Platform supply vessel (PSV) concept: the MRV 80 or MultiRole Vessel 80.
 

Elbit Systems Introduces its Hermes® 900 UAS in a New Configuration for the Maritime Mission
 
Maritime surveillance requirements are demanding specific capabilities and performance such as mission endurance, flight profiles, mission equipment and human factors. Until recently, such missions were performed exclusively by aircraft – some dedicated for the maritime surveillance mission, with others using off-the-shelf transport planes modified for the mission.
Maritime surveillance requirements are demanding specific capabilities and performance such as mission endurance, flight profiles, mission equipment and human factors. Until recently, such missions were performed exclusively by aircraft – some dedicated for the maritime surveillance mission, with others using off-the-shelf transport planes modified for the mission.
 

Russian Navy Chief Attended Mistral Keel Laying Ceremony at STX Shipyard in France
 
The Commander of the Russian Navy, Admiral Viktor Chirkov, will attend an official keel laying ceremony on Friday for the first Mistral-class amphibious assault ship being built at a French shipyard for Russia. Construction of the warship, named Vladivostok, began last year at the STX shipyard in St. Nazaire, after Russia made an advance payment as part of the 1.2-billion euro deal for two French-built Mistral vessels, which was signed in June 2011.
The Commander of the Russian Navy, Admiral Viktor Chirkov, attended an official keel laying ceremony on Friday 1st February 2013 for the first Mistral-class amphibious assault ship being built at a French shipyard for Russia. Construction of the warship, named Vladivostok, began last year at the STX shipyard in St. Nazaire, after Russia made an advance payment as part of the 1.2-billion euro deal for two French-built Mistral vessels, which was signed in June 2011.
 

People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) Destroyer and Frigates conduct high-sea training
 
A ship formation of the Navy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sailed to the West Pacific Ocean to conduct regular high-sea training on the eve of the Chinese Spring Festival. The ship formation is composed of the “Qingdao” guided missile destroyer, the “Yantai” guided missile frigate and the “Yancheng” guided missile frigate of the North China Sea Fleet of the Navy of the PLA, and all the three ships are home-made warships.
A ship formation of the Navy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) sailed to the West Pacific Ocean to conduct regular high-sea training on the eve of the Chinese Spring Festival. The ship formation is composed of the “Qingdao” guided missile destroyer, the “Yantai” guided missile frigate and the “Yancheng” guided missile frigate of the North China Sea Fleet of the Navy of the PLA, and all the three ships are home-made warships.
 

Eurocopter delivers 10th EC135 Training Helicopter to Japan Maritime Self Defense Force
 
Eurocopter Japan successfully handed over the 10th EC135 Training Helicopter (TH135, a variant of Eurocopter’s EC135 T2) to the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (MSDF) yesterday. The first TH135 was delivered in December 2009, to begin the replacement of their single-engine training helicopter fleet. The TH135s have been used by MSDF helicopter pilots since November 2011, with instrument flight training as part of the program from April 2012.
Eurocopter Japan successfully handed over the 10th EC135 Training Helicopter (TH135, a variant of Eurocopter’s EC135 T2) to the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (MSDF) yesterday. The first TH135 was delivered in December 2009, to begin the replacement of their single-engine training helicopter fleet. The TH135s have been used by MSDF helicopter pilots since November 2011, with instrument flight training as part of the program from April 2012.