Navies(Page 2)

Latest in Navies

USS Jack H. Lucas

Cost Of Navy’s Newest Arleigh Burke Destroyers Is Ballooning

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Posted on Jan 8, 2025
Ukraine has claimed that it’s successfully used uncrewed surface vessels (USV), better known as drone boats, to launch aerial drones against Russian targets for the first time. According to Ukrainian authorities, the first-person view (FPV) drones were employed in combat during strikes on Russian ground-based air defense systems. This is the latest development in Ukraine’s Black Sea drone war, which is seeing increasingly innovative use of uncrewed systems, including adapted air-to-air missiles launched from USVs against Russian aircraft.

Ukraine Claims Its Drone Boats Are Now Launching Kamikaze FPV Drones At Russian Shore Targets

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jan 7, 2025
The U.S. Navy is now officially using "Murder Hornet" to refer to F/A-18E/F fighters armed with five AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and four AIM-9X Sidewinder.

Murder Hornet Nickname For F/A-18s Equipped With Nine Air-To-Air Missiles Now Official

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Jan 6, 2025
231014-N-GF955-1031 EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA (Oct. 14, 2023) Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64), man their watch stations in the combat information center (CIC) during a general quarters drill, October 14, 2023. Carney is currently a part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. The strike group is on a scheduled deployment conducting routine operations in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by the U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Lau)

Red Sea Attacks Are Testing Combat Information Centers Aboard U.S. Navy Warships Like Never Before

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Posted on Jan 6, 2025
IDF raid on Iran underground missile base in Syria

Inside Israel’s Commando Raid On Iran’s Underground Missile Factory In Syria

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Jan 3, 2025
The New Year's deck log poem is a longstanding Navy tradition.

How Sailor Poets Take Over U.S. Navy Deck Logs On New Year’s Day

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Posted on Dec 31, 2024
Jimmy Carter on a submarine.

The Time Navy Lt. Jimmy Carter Was Lowered Into A Partially Melted-Down Nuclear Reactor

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Posted on Dec 30, 2024
North Korea's new warship with VLS and phased array radar.

North Korea’s New Warship Appears To Be Designed For Vertical Launch System, Phased Array Radar

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Dec 30, 2024
Pictures have emerged of what looks to be the first known example of a new Chinese airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft based on the four-engine Y-20 cargo plane commonly referred to as the KJ-3000.

China’s New Domestically Developed Y-20 Airborne Early Warning Jet Spotted

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Dec 27, 2024
China has held a launch ceremony for its first super-sized Type 076 amphibious assault ship, now named Sichuan, but the vessel does not look to have gone into the water yet.

China’s Monster Type 076 Amphibious Assault Ship Seen Like Never Before At Launch Ceremony

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Dec 27, 2024
Sailors at Christmas long ago.

U.S. Navy Ship Menus From Christmases Past

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Posted on Dec 24, 2024
The construction of the first Polar Security Cutter (PSC) heavy icebreaker for the U.S. Coast Guard is now formally proceeding. Though the milestone is important, it also underscores the PSC program's already massive delays.

New Coast Guard Heavy Icebreaker Construction Finally Underway

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Dec 24, 2024
A Russian cargo ship claimed to be heading to Syria, to take part in the Kremlin’s military withdrawal from that country, has sunk in the Mediterranean. The Ursa Major went down overnight between Spain and Algeria, with 14 crew members rescued and another two still unaccounted for. The incident comes amid uncertainty over the fate of the Russian naval base at Tartous on the Syrian coast, which provides Moscow with a vital foothold on the Mediterranean.

What We Know About The Russian Cargo Ship That Sank In Mediterranean

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Dec 24, 2024
F/A-18F Was Shot Down By Friendly Fire As Jets Were About To Land On The Carrier

F/A-18F Was Shot Down By Friendly Fire As Jets Were About To Land On The Carrier

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Dec 24, 2024
US Navy ship in maintenance.

What’s In The Bill That Aims To Revitalize America’s Decaying Naval Industry

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Posted on Dec 23, 2024
A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet was conducting a refueling mission over the Red Sea when it was downed in a friendly fire incident this past weekend.

F/A-18F Shot Down By Friendly Cruiser Was In The Middle Of A Refueling Mission

By Joseph Trevithick, Geoff Ziezulewicz, Howard Altman
Posted on Dec 23, 2024
Marine Corps Medium Landing Ship.

Marine-Moving Medium Landing Ship Critical To China Fight Put On Hold Again By Navy

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Posted on Dec 20, 2024
Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted today that his country is still exploring its options for retaining a pair of bases in Syria that have uniquely strategic value following the fall of longtime ally Bashar Al Assad.

Putin Claims No Final Decision Yet On Russia’s Bases In Syria Despite Withdrawals

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Dec 19, 2024
Navy’s Future E-130J TACAMO ‘Doomsday Plane’ Seen In New Rendering

Navy’s Future E-130J TACAMO ‘Doomsday Plane’ Seen In New Rendering

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Dec 19, 2024
PLA Navy is expanding its reach warns the DoD.

Pentagon Warns Of China’s Increasing Capacity To Project Naval Power Far From Home

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Posted on Dec 19, 2024
GAO says the cruiser modernization effort was terribly ran and brought with issues.

Navy’s Cruiser Modernization A Lesson In How Not To Run Such A Program: GAO Report

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Updated on Dec 17, 2024
New satellite imagery shows the continued withdrawal of Russian forces from its Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. Russia is also massing units at its Tartus naval base in the country, which also points to plans for their impending departure.

Satellite Imagery Shows Ramp-Up In Russian Forces Massing At Bases In Syria For Withdrawal

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Dec 17, 2024
The Russian Khmeimim Air Base in Jabla in Latakia, Syria on December 15, 2024. With the Baath regime's collapse, Russia continued to transfer its troops from Damascus, Homs and other cities across Syria to the base.

Future Of Russia’s Bases In Syria Remains In Flux, Libya Possible Alternative

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Dec 16, 2024
Russian Forces Appear To Be Pulling Out Of Prized Syrian Air Base

Russian Forces Appear To Be Pulling Out Of Prized Syrian Air Base

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Dec 13, 2024
Federal, state, and local authorities have not been able to corroborate any claimed visual sightings of mysterious drones in the skies over New Jersey, according to a top White House spokesperson.

None Of The New Jersey Visual Drone Sightings Have Been Corroborated: White House

By Joseph Trevithick
Updated on Dec 13, 2024
A Standard-Missile 6 is fired from a Mk 70 mobile missile launcher in 2023.

Littoral Combat Ships To Sail With Mk70 Vertical Launchers Strapped To Their Decks

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Posted on Dec 12, 2024
Apparent drones spotted in the skies over New Jersey, some as big as six feet across, look to be operating in a coordinated manner not consistent with hobbyists, according to state and local officials.

Drones Over New Jersey Show Signs Of Coordination, Elude Helicopters: State Officials

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Dec 12, 2024
Hysteria about drones over New Jersey obscures the fact that there is a real national security concern.

Coast Guard Ship Stalked By Unidentified Aircraft, Iran Drone Mothership Claim Shot Down By DoD

By Howard Altman
Posted on Dec 12, 2024
he U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy could soon be tasked with exploring whether extending the range of existing AIM-120 and AIM-9 air-to-air missiles is one path to help right-size stocks of those weapons.

Extended Range AIM-120s, AIM-9s Eyed To Meet Future Air-to-Air Missile Demands

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Dec 11, 2024
What will happen to highly strategic Russian air and naval bases in Syria is now very much now an open question following the downfall of long-time strongman Bashar Al Assad and his flight to Moscow.

Fate Of Russia’s Prized Syria Bases: What We Know

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Dec 10, 2024
HMAS Brisbane fires a Tomahawk Weapon System off of the cost of San Diego, United States of America.

Australian Navy Fires Tomahawk Cruise Missile For The First Time

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Posted on Dec 9, 2024
The USS Zumwalt's hypersonic missile launchers are now installed.

USS Zumwalt Returns To The Water With A Hypersonic Missile Launcher Upgrade

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Posted on Dec 6, 2024
5 inch Mark 45 deck gun firing.

USS Carney’s Red Sea Operations Highlight 5-inch Deck Gun’s Anti-Air Capability

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Posted on Dec 6, 2024
A recent drill by the Russian Armed Forces in the Mediterranean has provided us with a more detailed view of the shadowy Zircon hypersonic missile, a weapon that has only been glimpsed in the past and shown up in the form of fragments after being combat tested in Ukraine. The maneuvers come as Russia’s position in Syria — home to its two major Mediterranean bases — increasingly looks to be under threat, as rebels continue their rapid advance south, threatening the rule of Bashar al-Assad, a key Kremlin ally.

Our Best Look At Russia’s Shadowy Zircon Hypersonic Missile

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Dec 4, 2024
USS Boxer at sea. (U.S. Nav)

The Navy’s Amphibious Fleet Is In Really Bad Shape

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Posted on Dec 4, 2024
Russian fighter base in Syria

Russia’s Prized Bases Along The Mediterranean In Syria Could Be At Risk

By Tyler Rogoway
Posted on Dec 3, 2024
The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) recently commissioned the first of its new KDX-III Batch 2 destroyers, also known as the Sejong Daewang class. Among the many advanced features incorporated in these warships, especially striking is the latest version of the Korean Vertical Launch System — KVLS-II — which is initially planned to hold surface-to-air missiles, but which could well also add land attack cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.

South Korea’s New Destroyer Is Designed To Fire Ballistic Missiles

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Dec 3, 2024
The Qatari landing ship dock Al Fulk.

Qatar’s Strange New Warship Combines Air Defense Frigate And Amphibious Assault Ship Roles

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Posted on Dec 3, 2024
Additional photos provide a much more detailed look at the mysterious Chinese flattop that TWZ was first to report on, and which recently went to sea, apparently for its first trials. While the function of this vessel remains unknown, the recently published photos do confirm that it’s intended to operate rotary-wing aircraft (perhaps in addition to fixed-wing drones), but there are no obvious signs of catapults or arrester cables of the kind that would be used for operating heavier fixed-wing types. There is also no indication that the vessel has a floodable well-deck like those found on many amphibious warfare ships.

Detailed Deck View Emerges Of China’s Mysterious Aircraft Carrier-Like Ship

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Dec 2, 2024
An old-time Navy thanksgiving.

Navy Ship Menus From Thanksgivings Past

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Posted on Nov 27, 2024
A mysterious Chinese vessel with a large open flight deck, which TWZ was first to report on, looks to have made its maiden voyage.

China’s Wacky And Puzzling New Aircraft Carrier Has Set Sail

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 27, 2024
The Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783) arrives onboard U.S. Naval Base Guam, Nov 26. Minnesota, the first Virginia-class fast-attack submarine to be forward deployed to Guam, joins four Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines forward deployed in the Pacific. Regarded as apex predators of the sea, Guam's fast-attack submarines serve at the tip of the spear, helping to reaffirm the submarine forces' forward-deployed presence in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Justin Wolpert)

Submarine Presence In Guam Gets Boost With Its First Forward-Based Virginia-Class

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Updated on Nov 26, 2024
Submarine launches tomahawk cruise missile.

Pros And Cons Of The Navy’s Controversial Submarine-Launched Nuclear Cruise Missile

By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Posted on Nov 21, 2024
Pictured is an RAF Chinook (27(R) Squadron) flying in formation with a Puma (230 Squadron) over RAF Cosford. After a 3-year Covid-enforced break, the RAF Cosford Air Show will take place on 12 June 2022. The last RAF-organised air show, it attracts 50,000 people to the airfield and incorporates a flying display, static aircraft displays, STEM displays and vintage villages. The highlights of the flying will be the RAF Red Arrows, BBMF, Typhoon display team, Belgian F16 and French Rafale. The RAF F35B displayed at the air show for the first time.

British Defense Cuts Hit All Three Services Hard

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 20, 2024
The Chinese ship, the bulk carrier Yi Peng 3 (R) is anchored and being monitored by a Danish naval patrol vessels in the sea of Kattegat, near the City og Granaa in Jutland, Denmark, on November 20, 2024. Denmark's navy said on November 20, 2024 it was shadowing a Chinese cargo vessel in the Baltic Sea, a day after Finland and Sweden opened investigations into suspected sabotage of two severed undersea telecoms cables. "The Danish Defence can confirm that we are present in the area near the Chinese ship Yi Peng 3," the military wrote in an email to AFP, adding that it would make no further comment for the time-being.

Danish Navy Shadows Chinese Cargo Ship After Baltic Sea Cable Damage

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 20, 2024
Flight testing of the U.S. Air Force's Stand-In Attack Weapon (SiAW) missile is now set to begin following the delivery of an initial test article.

First Stand-In Attack Missile Delivered To USAF

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 18, 2024
German Navy warships were once nearly armed with gun turrets taken from land-based PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers. The installation was tested in experiments around a decade ago, with some positive results. Although it was ultimately considered too complex an undertaking, it reflected a broader focus on increasing the range and accuracy of naval guns, efforts which continue today.

The Time Germany Grafted An Army Howitzer Turret Onto A Frigate

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 15, 2024
Giant Uncrewed Submarine Put Forward By Chinese Shipbuilder, Possibly Linked To Existing Design

Giant Uncrewed Submarine Put Forward By Chinese Shipbuilder, Possibly Linked To Existing Design

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 14, 2024
U.S. Marine Corps F-35C Joint Strike Fighters took part in recent strikes on Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, the Pentagon has disclosed.

F-35C Naval Joint Strike Fighters Fly Combat Missions Against Houthis In Yemen

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 13, 2024
Clearer views of a new Chinese trimaran uncrewed surface vessel (USV) have emerged, highlighting a number of interesting low-observable (stealthy) and other features.

China’s New Stealthy Trimaran Drone Ship: Our Best Look Yet (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick
Updated on Nov 9, 2024
The U.S. Navy recently used a drone control system now being installed on all its supercarriers to operate an actual uncrewed aircraft, a General Atomics Avenger, for the first time.

MQ-20 Avenger First Drone Flown Using Navy’s Carrier-Based Control System

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 8, 2024
Another long-serving U.S. military aircraft has completed its final operational deployment, with the return of the U.S. Navy’s EP-3E Aries II surveillance platform from the 5th Fleet area of operations. The countdown to the spy plane’s final retirement is now on, which will see its vital intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) mission handed over fully to the MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance drone.

EP-3E Aries II Spy Plane Has Flown Its Last Operational Mission

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 7, 2024
J-15T fighter jet arrives in Zhuhai ahead of the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China 2024, on November 6, 2024 in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province of China. The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition will be held in Zhuhai from November 12 to 17.

China’s J-15T Enhanced Carrier-Based Flanker Officially Unveiled

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Nov 6, 2024
A U.S. Navy F/A-18F and F-35, both assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9, fly over the Point Mugu Sea Range in Southern California with a U.S. Air Force F-15 during Gray Flag 2024 on Sept. 24, 2024. Gray Flag is an annual large-force test event that brings the joint force together to test and evaluate multi-domain systems in a maritime environment, ensuring our nation’s warfighters are equipped with effective, interoperable systems that will help them deter aggression, protect our nation’s prosperity and security, and return home safely to their families. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Kory Hughs)

Navy Posts Its First AIM-174 Missile-Armed F/A-18F Super Hornet ‘Glamour Shots’

By Howard Altman
Updated on Nov 6, 2024
China’s J-35A Stealth Fighter Officially Breaks Cover

China’s J-35A Stealth Fighter Officially Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway
Updated on Nov 5, 2024
Full Retirement Of Ticonderoga Cruisers On Hold, Trio To Remain In Service Into 2029

Full Retirement Of Ticonderoga Cruisers On Hold, Trio To Remain In Service Into 2029

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Nov 5, 2024
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, or PLAN has for the first time conducted dual-carrier operations in the South China Sea. The drills, involving the country’s first two in-service carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, as well as at least 11 other vessels, also showcased the PLAN’s fast-growing air wing, with a flyby conducted by a dozen J-15 carrier-based multirole fighters. While clearly engineered for public consumption, the photo opportunity also points to the very rapid progress made by the PLAN in developing its aircraft carrier and wider blue-water capabilities.

Two New Versions Of China’s J-15 Carrier Fighter Now Appear To Be Operational

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 31, 2024
The U.S. Navy plans to keep all 12 of its Flight I Arleigh Burke class destroyers in service beyond their originally 35-year expected service life.

Oldest Arleigh Burke Destroyers Get Reprieve, Service Extended Into 2030s

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 31, 2024
A fire has ripped through the BAE Systems’ nuclear submarine shipyard in Cumbria, England, where the U.K. Royal Navy’s Dreadnought class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), among others are being built. While the cause of the blaze is yet to be determined, it comes at a time of increasing concern about Russian-inspired sabotage activities across Europe.

Cause Of Fire At UK’s Critical Nuclear Submarine Shipyard Still Unclear

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 30, 2024
New imagery of Taiwan’s homegrown Huilong uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) reveals new details, including a pair of apparent tornedo tubes, indicating a possible combat capability. At this stage, it seems the submarine is intended as a testbed, rather than for a combat role, but the development does point to the growing ambitions of the Taiwanese Navy in terms of underwater warfare.

Our Best Look At Taiwan’s New Uncrewed ‘Smart Dragon’ Submarine

By Thomas Newdick
Updated on Oct 29, 2024
An example of an entirely new class of Chinese vessel with a large open flight deck has emerged at a shipyard in the southeastern end of the country.

New Chinese Mystery Flattop Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 29, 2024
We have now gotten our first look at the Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous undersea vehicle (XL-AUV) underwater thanks to the Autonomous Warrior 2024 maritime autonomous capabilities demonstration in Australia.

Our First Look At The Ghost Shark Uncrewed Submarine Underwater

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 25, 2024
The U.S. Navy is asking for new ideas about how to increase the unrefueled range of its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters and EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft.

New Ways To Stretch F/A-18 Super Hornet’s Range Sought By Navy

By Joseph Trevithick
Posted on Oct 23, 2024
The spy plane at the center of one of the most notorious post-Cold War Today air incidents, a U.S. Navy EP-3E Aries II, has arrived at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, for future public display. The EP-3E’s journey to get to the museum has been a long one, starting with the dramatic collision with a Chinese fighter in the so-called Hainan Island incident in 2001.

EP-3E Aries II Spy Plane That Collided With Chinese Fighter Is Going On Display

By Thomas Newdick
Posted on Oct 23, 2024