UK’s Fleet Solid Support ship programme deemed on track despite steel supply concerns
Shipbuilders are saying the programme is going ahead on time as the government estimates 7.7 million tonnes of steel are needed for 2026 infrastructure projects.
Russia is planning to carry out the second test-firing of its Tsirkon hypersonic missile in April or May 2020 according to Defence Ministry sources.
The Russian Navy Project 22350 frigate Admiral Gorshkov (pictured) will undergo maintenance work at Belomorsk naval base and will also be installed with a Tsirkon ZS-14 universal shipborne launcher reports Tass.
Tactical Missiles Corporation and the Northern Fleet press office have not confirmed the schedule for the next stage of Tsirkon testing.
The Admiral Gorshkov carried out the first test in January 2020 when a Tsirkon was launched from the Barents Sea against a ground-based target some 500km away.
Deputy Minister of Defence Alexi Krivoruchko suggested in November 2019 that the Navy intends to deploy the hypersonic missile to the Marshal Shaposhnikov frigate and Project 94A Irkutsk submarine once final development is completed.
Shipbuilders are saying the programme is going ahead on time as the government estimates 7.7 million tonnes of steel are needed for 2026 infrastructure projects.
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, Raytheon’s VP of Shipboard Missiles disclosed what improvements the company plans to offer for the Sea Sparrow NSV.
Delays in the construction of the Polar Security Cutter – the future substitute for the Polar Star – are likely to prolong the ageing icebreaker’s service time even more, putting the USCG in a risky position.
The adaptable design of Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 frigate, already selected by the UK Royal Navy and Poland, has led to more orders from Indonesia while other countries continue to weigh it up.
The presence of the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group in the Persian Gulf means additional naval and aerial capabilities, which provides the US with multiple attacking options.
The US Navy’s acceleration of its laser weapon development initiatives reflects a decisive shift towards ultimately having a “laser on every ship” across tomorrow’s surface fleet.