DefenceTalkThe MQ-8C Fire Scout completed a three week operational assessment period Nov. 20 at Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu, California. The OA included 11 flights totaling 83.4 flight hours where Fire Scout was tested against maritime and surveyed land targets to assess system performance, endurance and reliability of the unmanned helicopter. “MQ-8C is […]https://www.defencetalk.com/mq-8c-fire-scout-completes-operational-assessment-65946/

DefenceTalkFLEET ACTIVITIES YOKOSUKA, Japan: The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) arrived alongside the USS Emory S. Land (AS-39) in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia for a port visit as part of its Indo-Asia-Pacific deployment Nov. 14. With a crew of approximately 165, Ohio will conduct a multitude of missions and showcase the latest capabilities of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/indo-asia-pacific-exercise-reveals-us-navy-special-forces-submarine-65867/

DefenceTalkA US warship began a week-long port call in China Monday, a moment of cooperation as the two Asia-Pacific powerhouses jockey for position in the disputed South China Sea. The USS Stethem, a guided missile destroyer, arrived in Shanghai ahead of planned drills with the People’s Liberation Army Navy that include communications exercises and a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-chinese-navies-train-together-despite-tensions-65854/

DefenceTalkSOUTH CHINA SEA: The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) transited the Straits of Malacca and conducted routine operations in the South China Sea as part of a deployment to the Western Pacific Nov. 7-10. The ARG’s flagship, the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), conducted the patrol as the amphibious transport dock USS […]https://www.defencetalk.com/essex-amphibious-ready-group-operates-in-south-china-sea-65840/

DefenceTalkThe US military will continue to operate “wherever” international law allows, including in the South China Sea, a top US admiral said in Beijing on Tuesday, a week after America infuriated China by sailing close to artificial islands it is building in the contested waters. “International seas and airspace belong to everyone and are not […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-to-operate-wherever-law-allows-in-south-china-sea-65735/

DefenceTalkNavy destroyer USS Carney arrived at its new home in southern Spain on Friday (25 September, 2015), the fourth American multi-mission ship to be stationed in Europe and contribute to NATO’s ballistic missile defence shield. “The arrival of the USS Carney marks an important step for European security and for transatlantic cooperation,” said NATO Secretary […]https://www.defencetalk.com/fourth-us-missile-defence-ship-arrives-at-its-new-home-port-in-spain-65503/

DefenceTalkWeapon system tracks and engages target in LCS 4 exercise For the first time, the U.S. Navy successfully fired a tactical missile from a SeaRAM launcher on an Independence variant littoral combat ship. The missile was launched Aug. 14 during a live-fire exercise at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division sea range off the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/first-searam-missile-fired-us-navy-littoral-combat-ship-65403/

DefenceTalkOrbital ATK announced today that it has been awarded a $119 million contract by the U.S. Navy for the fourth full-rate production lot of the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) and a fifth lot for up to $141 million. The contract covers All-Up Round missiles and captive air training missiles for the U.S. Navy and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/orbital-wins-order-advanced-anti-radiation-guided-missile-aargm-65308/

DefenceTalkMaybe it’s time to build new big battleships, American scholar Robert Farley suggests, adding that he expects the return of the era of big warships. Although big ships went out of style decades ago maybe it’s time to bring back legendary battleships, Professor Robert Farley of the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce notes, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-us-china-returning-to-battleships-era-65251/

DefenceTalkNaval Postgraduate School (NPS) Assistant Professor Timothy Chung met with members of NPS’ Advanced Robotic Systems Engineering Laboratory (ARSENL) during a field exercise at Camp Roberts, Aug. 27. Members of ARSENL flew 50 autonomous UAVs breaking their previous record of 30, set just five weeks ago. “I’m very proud of reaching our goal of successfully […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-navy-lab-50-autonomous-uavs-in-flight-65240/