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December 3, 2018
On December 1, the U.S. Navy commissioned its newest Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, the USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116). Its name honors Captain Thomas J. Hudner Jr., a naval aviator in the Korean War and a Medal of Honor recipient. Captain Hudner was awarded the Medal of Honor for attempting to save the life of squadron...
November 19, 2018
On November 8, a Norwegian Aegis-equipped Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate collided with an oil tanker flagged from Malta after completing exercises as a part of the Trident Juncture wargames. The ship was intentionally run aground to prevent it from sinking after it sustained significant damage to its starboard side above and below water. Tugboats are attempting...
October 30, 2018
On October 27, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) commissioned its second Hobart-class air warfare destroyer, HMAS Brisbane (DDG 41). Brisbane is the second vessel in the RAN’s three-ship program to replace its fleet of Adelaide-class guided-missile frigates, the first being HMAS Hobart (DDG 39), commissioned in September 2017. Equipped with the Aegis Combat System, the vessel...
October 29, 2018
On October 26, the U.S. Navy and Missile Defense Agency (MDA) conducted a test of the SM-3 Block IIA interceptor off the west coast of Hawaii, successfully tracking and intercepting a medium range ballistic missile (MRBM) target. The SM-3 Block IIA was fired from the USS John Finn (DDG-113), which used the AN/SPY-1 radar and...
October 15, 2018
On October 12, South Korea‘s Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced at a parliamentary audit their plan to purchase SM-3 interceptors to counter North Korea’s ballistic missiles. A decision “for something at the SM-3 level” was made during a JCS meeting in September 2017, according to head of the JCS force-buildup planning bureau Major General...
July 30, 2018
On July 30, Japan launched JS Maya (DDG-179), an upgraded Atago-class Aegis destroyer which will serve the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. The ship will be equipped with Cooperative Engagement Capability, “a U.S.-made real-time sensor network system that will allow the Japanese warships to closely share radar and fire-controlling data with the U.S. Navy,” as described by The...
June 19, 2018
On June 12, speaking at the U.S. Naval War College, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson advocated for a transition from regular naval ballistic missile defense patrols to land-based BMD with systems like Aegis Ashore. Reflecting on the Navy’s BMD, Richardson said “It’s a pretty good capability and if there is an emergent need...
May 31, 2018
On May 28, USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) tested a Standard Missile (SM-2), two days after the ship’s deployment with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG). According to a Navy news release, “The missile exercise demonstrated The Sullivans‘ ability to defend against a close-in aerial attack. A BQM-74E air-launched drone served as the target. The ship...
May 23, 2018
On May 14, USS MIlius (DDG-69) deployed to the 7th Fleet in Japan, after updates in the last year to the Aegis Baseline 9 system. According to a Navy press release, the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer will provide “enhanced missile defense capabilities as a ballistic missile defense platform.” Although the ship’s deployment comes in the lead-up...
May 22, 2018
On May 7, the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) announced the start of construction on the future USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125). The NAVSEA report explained that the Jack Lucas “will be the first Arleigh Burke class destroyer built in the Flight III configuration with improved capability and capacity to perform Anti-Air Warfare...