Watch: The single-engine ground-attack aircraft continues to see action
US Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier IIs have been conducting flight operations aboard the USS Wasp while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, completing their integrated naval training.
The Harrier is a legacy piece of British jump jet ingenuity that is still turning heads – despite the fifth generation F-35B Lightning II fast eclipsing its military use in the US, Spain and Italy.
Its vertical or short take-off and landing capabilities mean it can operate from small aircraft carriers, large amphibious assault ships and simple forward operating bases.
The Harrier can carry up to 4,200kg of weapons, including air-to-air, air-to-surface and anti-ship missiles, as well as unguided and guided bombs.
A series of avionics and software upgrades have allowed it to keep up with advances in technology, with the latest variant featuring the APG-65 radar – the same one that is found in an F/A-18 Super Hornet.
But the clock is ticking as the US Marine Corps slowly retires its Harriers to fully transition to the F-35 Lightning II by 2026.
The USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo, shown in March 31, 2014, in Australia, had to return to Florida following an engine room fire last Thursday. The Navy transport ship was carrying equipment for building a temporary humanitarian aid corridor in Gaza. (Scott Reel/U.S. Marine Corps)
Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2024-04-18/gaza-aid-jlots-ship-fire-13588301.html?utm_source=Stars+and+Stripes+Emails&utm_campaign=Daily+Headlines&utm_medium=email Source – Stars and Stripes
Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2024-04-18/gaza-aid-jlots-ship-fire-13588301.html?utm_source=Stars+and+Stripes+Emails&utm_campaign=Daily+Headlines&utm_medium=email Source – Stars and Stripes
Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said Anduril’s Ghost Shark is part of the Australian military’s $5.2 billion to $7.2 billion investment in undersea uncrewed maritime systems.
Pat Conroy, Australian minister for defense industry, flanked by the Anduril drone sub and Australian industry and officials. (Colin Clark / Breaking Defense)
GARDEN ISLAND — In a bright spot for Australian defense procurement, an important domestic defense program, the first Ghost Shark autonomous submarine prototype, has come in early and on budget.
“The first prototype was delivered one year early and on budget, and all three will be delivered by June 2025. So, from conception to full realization, less than three years,” an upbeat Pat Conroy, minister for defense industry, told reporters here in Sydney’s main naval base. Clearly demonstrating the government’s confidence in the program’s progress, Conroy said it will move directly from prototype to production.
The Ghost Shark, he said, is part of defense’s coming $5.2 to $7.2 billion investment in undersea uncrewed maritime systems. Of course, the program will have to continue meeting the Defense Department’s key parameters as it proceeds, but for now the sub system “is not just meeting them, it’s surpassing them,” Conroy said.
Anduril Australia, which has said it hopes to make hundreds of the “extra-large” underwater autonomous subs for export, produced the vessel near Sydney. It’s not only an ISR platform, Conroy said. The boxy black boat also “has the ability to be fitted with weapons to deter potential aggressors,” he said.
Chief of the Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said, “We are a nation girt by sea, and the Ghost Shark is one of the tools we are developing for the Navy to patrol and protect our oceans and our connection to the world.”
The boat is the first weapon being developed by the new Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), created in early July last year, Conroy said.
“So these projects started in mid-2020 to first prototype in mid-’24. And we will have the first production variant by the end of 2025,” he told a small group of reporters. “So we’ll go from an idea to production variants of this in three and a half years, demonstrating the new speed that the Albanese Labor Government is injecting into the force.”
The Labor Party government is investing $748 million in ASCA over the next four years, and $3.4 billion over the next decade — $591 million above planned spending on defense innovation.
In the last few years, many of Australia’s major weapon systems have been bought from other countries, especially from the United States through its Foreign Military Sales program. And American, Korean or German primes have dominated most of those programs.
In this case, Anduril Australia, an “independent entity” spun off from its US parent, put up $70 million of its own money, which the government matched. Few small or medium enterprises (SME), of course, can muster that kind of cash. And the ASCA makes a point of stressing it wants to work with SMEs, so Breaking Defense asked Conroy if he thought industry would come up with the same kind of co-payment that Anduril did.
Australia’s chief scientist head, head of the Defense Science and Technology Group, with which ASCA is affiliated, said the government would cover those costs for SMEs.
“Of course, when we’re working with small to medium enterprises, we need to cover costs because it’s not always possible for companies to co-invest,” Tanya Monro said at the press event. She said the government would prefer co-investment “because as the minister said, skin in the game means we together share objectives, and it’s in industry’s interest to accelerate. So we have a mixed and flexible model. What matters most is accelerating capability into the hands of the warfighter.”
The Ghost Shark milestone comes amid reports of growing dissatisfaction with the government’s defense plans among members of the Australian Defense Force, with a key outside criticism being that Australia will be unlikely to shore up deficiencies in the next three to five years. At the event, Conroy attempted to hold up Ghost Shark’s acquisition speed as just the opposite.
“We are moving at great speed with Ghost Shark behind me as an example of that,” he said. “Another example is we will be manufacturing missiles in this country next year — next year — when we’ve only been in government for less than two years. We are bringing forward the landing craft so that we’ll be delivering the first one of those in 2026. We’ve brought forward the delivery of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) so that the first one will be in country by the end of next year.
“We’re moving at lightspeed to reequip the Australian Defence Force so that we can protect the Australian people. This is all about promoting the safety of the Australian people and we’re doing that with all due haste and with increased resources,” he said.
The Gurkhas will now begin guarding the Tower of London, St James’s Palace, and Windsor Castle following their triumphant display
The Queen’s Gurkha Signals will take up ceremonial public duties after successfully passing their Fit For Role inspection.
On the Wellington Barracks parade ground on Thursday morning, they put everything they have learnt and rehearsed into practice in front of a formidable inspecting party, who would accept nothing short of excellence.
From tomorrow, Friday, the Gurkhas will begin guarding the Tower of London, St James’s Palace, and Windsor Castle following their triumphant display – they will not be at Buckingham Palace until after the London Marathon on Sunday.
Under guidance from the Household Division, the Queen’s Gurkha Signals have undergone rigorous inspections and drill practice to raise them to the highest standard ahead of the inspection.
The inspecting party consisted of the Brigade Major, Adjutant London Central Garrison, Garrison Sergeant Major and the Master Tailor of the Household Division.
During the inspection, the unit was scrutinised from head to toe to ensure excellence of bearing, discipline and uniform, ensuring they were ready to step onto the parade in front of His Majesty the King’s residences.
The inspecting party scrutinised the Queen’s Gurkha Signals from head to toe
They demonstrated their drill steps and orders for their guard mounts as well as the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London, all while being watched by the inspecting party to ensure the accuracy and timings of each movement were up to the high standards set by the Foot Guards.
Lieutenant Colonel Johnny Carey, commander of the Queen’s Gurka Signals told Forces News: “It’s very very critical and rightly so”.
He added: “This isn’t our day job. The Queen’s Gurkha Signals are not known for their drills.
“Over the last couple of weeks, they’ve been going through an intense special to-role drill package provided by Hoursgaurds and the team.”
There was also a kukri inspection (the national weapon of Nepal) along with their sheaths – which both have to be highly maintained for cleanliness and shine.
The Queen’s Gurkha Signals have their kukris and sheaths inspected
This role comes as they celebrate their 75th year, and it will be the first time they have taken on the public duty of guarding the royal palaces as a regiment.
Lance Corporal Amrit Pun spoke to Forces News about this “golden opportunity”.
He said: “I’ve been in the British Army for 5 years now. We don’t get this kind of golden opportunity often.
“I’m in the Tower of London detachment. Not in my lifetime did I imagine I would be in London serving under the King.”
Musical support was provided for the Fit for Role inspection and during the changing of the guard ceremonies by the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas.
Watch: Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas perform the Game of Thrones theme song during inspection
The Challenger 3 main battle tank has entered the final stage of production (Picture: MOD/DE&S)
The Challenger 3, one of Europe’s most lethal tanks, has rolled off the production line, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has announced.
Eight prototypes of the main battle tank have been completed and British soldiers will soon get their hands on 140 more vehicles offering advanced armour, devastating firepower and state-of-the-art technology.
“This tank will be at the heart of the British Army’s warfighting capabilities and will be integral to the UK’s deterrence,” said Mr Shapps.
The Challenger 3 is expected to be in service until at least 2040, and has been described as the most survivable tank ever used by the British Army.
“In a more dangerous world the need for vehicles such as the Challenger 3 is imperative as the threats facing the UK evolve,” added Mr Shapps.
“The hard work and dedication on show in Telford and across the country is instrumental in driving forward UK defence innovation and delivering for our forces on the frontline.”
The Challenger 3 compared with the Challenger 2 model which it will soon replace (Picture: MOD).
The vehicle has already shown its potential during initial trials.
This third iteration of the Challenger includes a state-of-the-art turret with a more capable smoothbore gun, which is compatible with Nato ammunition, as well as improved armour and sensors.
What is the Challenger 3 main battle tank and what will it bring to the battlefield (Picture: MOD)
The Army’s director of programmes, Major General Jon Swift OBE, said: “Challenger 3 will be at the heart of the Army’s armoured brigade combat teams, alongside Ajax and Boxer, and is critical to the Army’s warfighting capability and the UK’s contribution to Nato.
“The delivery of these prototype vehicles, the first of which has already started trials, marks a significant milestone on the Army’s modernisation journey.”
Director General Land for Defence, Equipment and Support, Lieutenant General Simon Hamilton CBE, said: “The Challenger 3 programme is a cornerstone of the Army’s Future Soldier modernisation.
“I am delighted to see the Army, DE&S and RBSL (Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land) collaborating together to provide our soldiers with a world-class main battle tank made here in the UK.”
Watch: Expert says he’s found the ideal tank weight – and warns Challenger 3 is too heavy
The US Navy has held a keel-laying ceremony for the first Constellation-class frigate, USS Constellation (FFG 62) in Wisconsin.
US Navy
As informed, the ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard on April 12.
US Navy
The Constellation is the first ship of the Constellation-class frigates awarded to Fincantieri Marinette Marine in 2020.
“USS Constellation and the Constellation-class frigates are a critical next step in the modernization of our surface ship inventory, increasing the number of players on the field available globally for our fleet and combatant commanders,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro.
“The Constellation-class frigate, named after the USS Constellation – the first of six frigates authorized by the Naval Act of 1794 and the first in-class designed and built by American workers – will ensure the free flow of American commerce by sea,” Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti stated.
The Constellation-class guided-missile frigate is a next-generation small surface combatant. This ship class will be an agile, multi-mission warship capable of operations in both blue-water and littoral environments, providing increased combat-credible forward presence that provides a military advantage at sea.
FFG 62 will be fielded with multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electromagnetic maneuver warfare. These capabilities include an Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR), Baseline Ten (BL10) Aegis Combat System, an Mk 41 Vertical Launch System, communications systems, countermeasures and added capability in the electronic warfare/information operations area.
The future ships will be: Constellation (FFG 62), Congress (FFG 63), Chesapeake (FFG 64), and Lafayette (FFG 65).
A New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) contingent of more than 200 personnel has been providing logistical support to Solomon Islands, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as the country geared up for today’s general election.
17 APRIL, 2024
Prior to election day, the NZDF’s Joint Task Force delivered more than 100 polling kits and more than 250 ballot boxes, and transported election officials to dozens of locations throughout Solomon Islands – including remote areas – to ensure that those who want to vote have an opportunity to do so.
The team’s work is scheduled to wrap up once ballot boxes have been collected and taken to counting centres.
Solomon Islands is comprised of six main islands and more than 900 smaller islands covering a total area of nearly 29,000km2, making it logistically challenging to ensure everyone has access and a fair chance to vote.
Two of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s No. 3 Squadron helicopters, combined with the ability to conduct flying operations from on board HMNZS Canterbury, has been invaluable for navigating those logistical challenges.
Major Matt Wall is the NZDF Liaison Officer embedded with Solomon Islands’ Electoral Commission based in Honiara, where his duties included co-ordinating logistics for the general election.
“There are people from all walks of life, representing a number of different organisations and countries, who have come together to ensure the elections are a success, and it is a privilege to be a part of,” Major Wall said.
“Working closely with Solomon Islands’ Electoral Commission and the New Zealand High Commission here in Honiara has been a fantastic experience, both professionally and personally.
“Logistically, it is incredibly challenging, but we have teamed together to ensure everyone in Solomon Islands – even in the most remote villages – has an opportunity to cast their vote.”
HMS Mersey is another step closer to her return to sea (Picture: HMS Mersey)
HMS Mersey has embarked on the final leg of her maintenance journey sporting her new Western Approaches colour scheme after spending more than five months in dry dock.
At 03:00, HMS Mersey edged her way out of dry dock at Falmouth in Cornwall, marking a significant milestone in the refurbishment process.
Currently undergoing final maintenance in partnership with BAE Systems and A&P Group, the River-class offshore patrol vessel’s journey back to operational readiness is nearing completion.
The Western Approaches colour scheme originated during the Second World War where it provided effective camouflage by hiding a vessel among the waves, making a ships harder to spot, especially in rough seas.
In contrast, the paint job seen on the dazzle ships of the First World War was designed to cause the enemy to come up with an inaccurate firing solution as they couldn’t properly track the ship’s heading or speed.
The Western Approaches paint scheme is a nod to history and a mark of respect to the sailors who fought and died in the Battle of the Atlantic.
The colours were picked to match those of the north Atlantic and UK waters, where the units assigned to the home fleet, the Western Approaches command, operated.
It took 700 litres of paint to create HMS Mersey’s colourful exterior.
Matt Weetch, director of defence at commercial ship repair and conversion specialist A&P Group Limited, explained: “First of all, there’s a high-pressure washing for the whole vessel.
“The ship is then primed, undercoated and then painted with a full topcoat of grey.
“With regards to the Western Approaches scheme, the specialist painters do it all by hand.
“So first they’ll do a chalk line to get the pattern correct, then use masking tape to put a detailed line for the paint, then they’ll use brushes and rollers to actually paint the vessel the different colours – your normal hand rollers and paint brushes you’d paint your house with.”
While the exterior was painted, the interior of the vessel also underwent maintenance, with the crew given the chance to pick the decor for the ship’s recreation space.
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Izumo-class helicopter destroyer JS Kaga (DDH 184), Indian Navy Rajput-class destroyer INS Ranvijay (D 55) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG 106) transit the Bay of Bengal as part of MALABAR 2021, Oct. 12, 2021. US Navy Photo
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will dispatch both its Izumo-class big decks on their largest deployment to date, officials said on Tuesday.
Previous Indo-Pacific Deployments featured single Izumo or Hyuga-class big decks for four to five months.
Meanwhile, the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (CSG) wrapped up drills with the JMSDF on Saturday. The German military on Tuesday revealed that the Carl Vinson CSG will take part in the Rim of the Pacific 2024 exercise near Hawaii this summer.
A total of six surface ships – destroyer carriers JS Izumo (DDH-183) and JS Kaga (DDH-184), destroyers JS Ariake (DD-109) and JS Haguro (DD-180), amphibious landing ship JS Kunisaki (LST-4003) and frigate JS Noshiro (FFM-3) – divided into 4 surface mission units with embarked JMSDF Special Boarding Units, two P-1 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) divided into two air units and an undisclosed number of submarines will deploy separately in a 7-month period beginning May 3 and ending on Dec. 15, according to a JMSDF announcement.
“The JMSDF will conduct Indo-Pacific Deployment 2024 (IPD24) in order to realize a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific,’” reads the announcement.
The deployment will put the JMSDF with allied navies through a series of regional exercises, officials said.
The first surface unit includes Kunisaki and its integral two Landing Craft Air Cushions under the command of Rear Adm. Izuru Ikeuchi, the commander of the JMSDF Mine Warfare Force. The JMSDF’s amphibious ships are all under the Mine Warfare Force. The second surface unit includes Izumo, Ariake and Haguro under the command of Escort Flotilla 3 commanding officer Rear. Adm. Kazushi Yokota, while Noshiro forms the third surface unit headed by Noshiro’s commanding officer, Cdr. Tetsunobu Hori. Kaga rounds out IPD 24 as the fourth surface unit, headed by Kaga’s commanding officer, Capt. Shusaku Takeuchi.
Countries visited during the deployment will include Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia, India, Kiribati, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Tonga, the United States and Vanuatu. The visit to Tonga will include participation in the Tonga Royal Navy’s 50th Anniversary Fleet Review and Japan is currently in discussions with other countries for additional visits. Exercises that IPD 24 units will participate in are Marara, RIMPAC, Pacific Dragon, Pacific Vanguard, Kakadu, Pacific Partnership and Malabar.
Marara is a French-led humanitarian aid and disaster relief exercise that will take place in French Polynesia, while Kakadu is the Royal Australian Navy’s flagship regional international engagement held in Australia biennially. RIMPAC 2024 is the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led multinational exercise scheduled to take place this summer around Hawaii, while Pacific Dragon is a U.S.-led biennial multinational air and missile defense exercise that normally takes place after RIMPAC to leverage participation from partner nation ships already nearby for RIMPAC. The last Pacific Dragon exercise, held in 2022, featured the RAN, the Royal Canadian Navy, the JMSDF and the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN).
Pacific Vanguard is an annual U.S.-Navy led exercise for partner nations to strengthen skills through drills ranging from anti-submarine warfare operations to live-fire missile engagements. Pacific Partnership is the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led annual multilateral humanitarian assistance exercise conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Malabar is the Quad’s – the informal alliance between Australia, India, Japan the U.S. – main naval exercise.
Kaga’s participation in IPD 24 is the ship’s first deployment since it completed the first stage of modification work last month to enable the helicopter destroyer to operate F-35B fighters. Work on Kaga also included modifying the bow’s shape to a square to better facilitate F-35B operations. Izumo’s bow will get modified when it enters the second stage of the update. Kaga is expected to be the Izumo-class carrier that will conduct F-35B integration trials on the U.S. East Coast in November this year.
As the JMSDF prepares to begin its Indo-Pacific deployment, Canada kicked off its annual Indo-Pacific mission, Operation Horizon, on Sunday with the departure of frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH336) from Halifax. Montreal was originally scheduled to depart on Friday, but a Canadian Ministry of Defence news release stated that the crew needed to repair a system problem before departing. Montreal is the first of three RCN ships that are deploying annually under Operation Horizon in support of Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, with the deployment expected to last six months.
Meanwhile, after wrapping up trilateral drills with the ROKN and JMSDF in the East China Sea on Friday, the Theodore Roosevelt CSG conducted bilateral drills from Friday to Saturday with the JMSDF throughout the East China Sea, to south of the main island of Shikoku, according to a JMSDF news release issued Monday. Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), destroyers USS Russell (DDG-59) and USS Daniel Inouye (DDG-118), along with a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft carried out tactical exercises with JMSDF destroyer Ariake, with all four ships previously taking part in the trilateral drills, according to the JMSDF release.
In other developments, the German Armed Forces disclosed that carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) will be the U.S. carrier taking part in RIMPAC this summer.
Sailors assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) man the rails as the ship pulls into port upon return from deployment. Vinson, flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, returned to its homeport of Naval Air Station North Island, Feb. 23, 2024. US Navy Photo
In an interview released on Tuesday, Lt. Col. Marco Brunhofer of 73 Tactical Air Wing “S,” who will lead the German Air Force contingent of three Eurofighter fighters and an A400M fighter aircraft, stated that his contingent will participate in RIMPAC from July 27 through 30. Its activities will include integrating into a multinational aircraft carrier force that will protect Carl Vinson, though his aircraft will deploy from land and receive support via mid-air refueling from the A400M, Brunhofer said.
“In varying scenarios, we will practice both protecting the aircraft carrier against enemy fighter aircraft and attacking these enemy fighter aircraft. In addition, we will simulate an attack on enemy forces on a group of islands with numerous radar positions,” he said in the interview.
Brunhofer also stated that for the strike missions, his aircraft will be part of a composite air operation with U.S Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps aircraft, along with aircraft from other partner nations participating in RIMPAC. Following RIMPAC, the German fighters will conduct Dissimilar Air Combat Training with the Hawaii Air National Guard from July 31 through Aug. 5.
The Carl Vinson CSG returned to San Diego after a four-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific on Feb. 23, reported USNI News.
