The U.S. Navy conducted four scheduled missile test flights of unarmed Trident II (D5) submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) from USS Nebraska, an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), off the coast of Southern California this week.

The keel laying of SSN 797 Iowa, the 24th submarine of the Virginia-class (6th boat of the block IV variant) took place during a ceremony held August 20, 2019 at General Dynamics Electric Boat Quonset Point facility.

The Navy is looking at “something beyond even a Flight III” combat capability for its new-build destroyers, as its plans for transitioning from building the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer to the future Large Surface Combatant continue to evolve and the LSC procurement date continues to slide.

Seaspan Shipyards yesterday launched of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) second Offshore Fisheries Science Vessel (OFSV) built under the country’s National Shipbuilding Strategy.

CAE announced the company has started production of the CAE Magnetic Anomaly Detection-Extended Role (MAD-XR) system. CAE also announced that the Government of Canada has purchased the first unit under the Build in Canada Innovation Program (BCIP).

The Royal Canadian Air Force recently welcomed two new CH-148 Cyclone helicopters – the 16th and 17th helicopters delivered under the Maritime Helicopter Project. All 28 are expected to be delivered by December 2021.

General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) secured a $2,04 bn US Navy order for the advance purchase of materials for the Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarines, the US Department of Defense announced yesterday.

The US Navy is requesting $205.6 billion for the Fiscal Year 2020, an increase of $9.5 billion (4.6%) from the FY2019. This is the largest budget request in more than 20 years for shipbuilding.

The Louisiana-based yard Swiftships secured a US$26 million contract to exercise an option for construction of Landing Craft, Utility (LCU) 1701 and 1702, the US Department of Defense stated on Feb. 4, 2019.