NOVEMBER 2020 news

Naval Forces, Defense Industry, Navy Technology, Maritime Security


According to a press release published on November 30, 2020, the VSR700 optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) has successfully achieved fully autonomous takeoff and landing (ATOL) approaches, validating its autonomy to and from a moving platform and advancing the VSR700 program towards its end goal: offering a tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS) with ATOL capacities for global navies. The landing zone: a pitching, yawing platform, mounted on a trailer to simulate the conditions of a moving ship deck.

According to information published by the Russian press agency TASS, on November 30, 2020, the Russian Navy Project 885M Yasen-M class nuclear-powered submarine K-561 Kazan successfully test-fired a P-800 Oniks supersonic anti-ship cruise missile from the White Sea as part of the final stage of state trials, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Monday, November 30, 2020.

According to information published by the Defesa Aerea Naval website on November 26, 2020, the Brazilian navy has reclassified its PHM Atlântico (A140) landing platform helicopter ship as a multipurpose aircraft carrier under the name of NAM Atlântico. The ship is now able to operate with fixed-wing medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles as well as crewed tiltrotor VTOL aircraft.

According to a contract released on November 27, 2020, by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Lockheed Martin Corp., Rotary and Mission Systems, Syracuse, New York, was awarded a $14,108,019 cost-plus-fixed-fee and cost-only modification to previously awarded contract N00024-18-C-5300 to exercise options for AN/SLQ-32(V)6 design agent engineering services.

According to a press release published by the UK Government on November 26, 2020, Speaking at the Franco-British Council Defence Conference, the British Defence Secretary announced a £184 million investment in the joint Maritime Mine Counter Measure (MMCM) program for British Navy, which will create new systems to combat sea mines and keep ships and personnel away from danger.

According to a press release published by the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines on November 25, 2020, the Philippine Navy receives its first-ever, advanced fixed-wing unmanned aerial system (UAS) ScanEagle. It was acquired through the Maritime Security Initiative Program of the United States. Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Kelly from the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines and JUSMAG (Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group) officials delivered this Php710-million ($14.79 million) system to the Philippine Navy to increase the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)’s maritime domain awareness and border security capabilities.

According to information published on November 27, 2020, on 25th November 2020 in La Spezia, the Contract Amendment N° 4 for the LSS Logistic Support Ship “Vulcano” was signed between OCCAR-EA (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d'Armement/Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) (on behalf of the Italian Participant State) and the Temporary Consortium, consisting of Fincantieri and Leonardo Company.

According to information published by the United States Africa Command on November 23, 2020, USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) Expeditionary Sea Base ship class from the U.S. Navy and Tunisian Navy partners with its OPV Sophonisbe (P613) conducted joint maritime operations to enhance maritime security, critical lifesaving capabilities, force readiness, and Tunisia's ability to protect its maritime borders, November 23-24, 2020.

BAE Systems opened the first Visualization Suite for the Canadian Surface Combatant (CSC) officially on 26 November at its offices in Ottawa. BAE Systems were honoured to mark the occasion with Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan, and Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy Vice Admiral Art McDonald in attendance for a tour of the suite.

Naval Group, a world leader in naval defense, announces the opening of a representation office in the Philippines to be operated in Manila. The opening signifies the first step of a long-term commitment of cooperation and partnership in developing naval capabilities for the country.

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