The US and Russian navies commission new surface combatants into service as a UK builder lays the keel of the second in a new class of Royal Navy frigates. A Danish design firm meanwhile unveils a multi-role naval vessel capable of operating in Arctic waters.
US Navy commissions littoral combat ship Marinette
The US Navy commissioned the littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Marinette into service in a ceremony in Menominee, Michigan, on Saturday, September 16.
As with the navy's other Freedom-variant littoral combat ships, Marinette was built by the consortium formed by Lockheed Martin and Fincantieri Marinette Marine of Wisconsin.
The vessel has a length of 387 feet (118 metres), a beam of 58 feet (17.7 metres), a draught of 13 feet (3.9 metres), and space for 35 crewmembers plus up to 75 additional personnel. Armament includes a 57-millimetre naval gun and surface-to-air missiles while flight deck space is available for an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter or two MQ-8 Fire Scout rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.
Marinette will be homeported in Mayport, Florida. It is the second US Navy ship to be named after the city of Marinette, Wisconsin.
Russian Navy's newest corvette enters service
The Russian Navy has formally welcomed a new Project 20380 or Steregushchiy-class corvette into service.
Rezkiy was built at the Amur Shipyard facilities of United Shipbuilding Corporation. It will be used primarily in both coastal and offshore waters for anti-surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare missions as well as support for amphibious landings.
Rezkiy will be assigned to the Russian Pacific Fleet.
Keel laid for Royal Navy's second Type 31 frigate
UK shipbuilder the Babcock International Group has laid the keel of the future HMS Active, the second Type 31 or Inspiration-class frigate slated for the Royal Navy.
Once in service, the vessel will be used to conduct missions including counter-terrorism and counter-drug patrols and disaster response. It will have a 57-millimetre naval gun, two 40-millimetre autocannon, surface-to-air missiles, a helicopter deck, and space for three small fast boats for at-sea interceptions and boardings.
Babcock intends to deliver all five Type 31 ships to the Royal Navy by 2028.
Danish design firm unveils Arctic-capable frigate
Danish naval architecture firm OSK Design has unveiled the first images of a new design of multi-mission frigate capable of operations in Arctic waters.
The vessel will have a length of 125 metres, a beam of 18 metres, a maximum draught of six metres, a top speed of over 23 knots, a helicopter deck, and gun and missile armament. Power will be provided by a diesel-electric propulsion system.
An onboard mission bay will be able to house equipment for various roles such as minelaying, anti-submarine warfare, oil spill recovery, search and rescue, and disaster relief.
