PARIS — MBDA’s Marte ER anti-ship missile has completed its first firing, successfully passing a major phase in its development, the company said in a release.

The firing trial was carried out on Nov. 9 in an Italian test range. The Marte ER missile flew for more than 100 kilometers on a planned trajectory that included several waypoints and sea skimming flight, successfully testing all flying phases.

“This test is a further confirmation of the robustness of the ER version of the Marte family of multiplatform anti-ship missiles that can be launched by ships, helicopters, coastal batteries and fast jets,” said Pasquale Di Bartolomeo, executive group director for Sales & Business Development and managing director MBDA Italia.

“The Marte family has a strong and successful history both at domestic and international levels: most recently with Marte ER being ordered earlier in 2018 by the Qatar Emiri Air Force for their new NH90 helicopters. Marte is a single product family that can cover several missions, offering our customers a high level of operational flexibility in the area of maritime superiority, a domain where MBDA in Italy has been able throughout its long history not only to maintain but also to grow as well as further develop competencies and know-how.”

The Marte ER program is progressing at full speed in order to meet customers’ requirements. Having completed the 18-month system definition phase, the full integration of Marte ER on the Eurofighter Typhoon platform is proceeding at pace in order to implement an anti-ship capability onto the fighter.

MOBILE, Ala. — Austal celebrated the christening of expeditionary fast transport (EPF) the future USNS Puerto Rico (EPF 11) with a ceremony at its state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility Nov. 10, the company said in a release. Puerto Rico is the 11th of 12 EPFs Austal has under contract with the U.S. Navy with a combined value of over $1.9 billion.

“Austal is excited to christen another amazing ship,” said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle. “Puerto Rico is one step closer to joining her sister ships in supporting important missions across the globe.”

Nine Spearhead-class EPFs have been delivered and are serving as an affordable solution to fulfilling the Military Sealift Command’s requirements worldwide. The future USNS Burlington is scheduled for delivery to the Navy later this month and two more EPFs, including EPF 11, are under construction at Austal’s Mobile shipyard. Austal also received instruction from the Navy to order long lead-time materials for EPF 13 in October.

“Congratulations to the incredible Navy – Industry team for achieving this important milestone,” Perciavalle said. “You should be proud of the important service you’re providing our country.”

In addition to being in full-rate production for the EPF program, Austal is also the Navy’s prime contractor for the Independence-variant of the littoral combat ship (LCS) program. Austal has delivered nine LCSs, while an additional six are in various stages of construction.

MIAMI — The Coast Guard Cutter Thetis crew repatriated 86 Haitian migrants Nov. 11 to Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, the 7th Coast Guard District said in a release.

While on routine patrol, a Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, forward deployed to Great Inagua, Bahamas, located an overlaed 40-foot sail freighter 26 nautical miles north of Punta Maisi, Cuba. Thetis was diverted, arrived on scene and safely embarked the migrants for safety of life at sea concerns.

The Jayhawk helicopter crew provided overhead support while embarkation was conducted due to deteriorating weather in the area.

“This illegal migrant venture and vessel were ill-equipped to carry its passengers and dangerously overloaded,” said Cmdr. Luis Rodriguez, deputy chief of enforcement. “If it had capsized before we arrived on scene, this situation could have ended differently as we have tragically seen before.”

Once aboard Coast Guard cutters, all migrants receive food, water, shelter and medical attention.

Approximately 221 Haitian migrants have attempted to illegally migrate to the U.S. via the maritime environment since Oct. 1 compared to 2,488 Haitian migrants in fiscal year 2018. These numbers represent the total number of at-sea interdictions, landings and disruptions in the Florida Straits, the Caribbean and Atlantic.

Thetis is a 270-foot medium-endurance cutter homeported in Key West, Florida.

PARIS — The French Defence Procurement Agency DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) has awarded MBDA the contract for the MICA NG (Missile d’Interception et de Combat Aérien Nouvelle Génération) program to develop the next generation of the MICA missile. With deliveries scheduled to begin in 2026, MICA NG will be available to arm the current and future versions of the Rafale combat aircraft.

MICA NG is intended as the replacement for the MICA missiles currently in operational service with the French armed forces and exported to 14 countries worldwide. The NG program includes an extensive redesign of the current MICA family while keeping the same aerodynamics, mass and center of gravity. This is done to minimize the amount of adaptation required to operate the new system with existing platforms and launchers. The unique concept that has ensured the ongoing success of MICA for two decades remains: the option of two different seekers (infrared and radio frequency) and two launch modes (rail and ejection) in a single missile casing.

The technological step changes will provide the capability to counter future threats. This includes targets with reduced infrared and electromagnetic signatures, atypical targets (unmanned aerial vehicles and small aircraft), as well as the threats normally countered by air-to-air missiles (combat aircraft and helicopters).

More specifically, the infrared seeker will use a matrix sensor providing greater sensitivity. Meanwhile the radio frequency seeker will use an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Antenna), enabling smart detection strategies.

The reduced volume of electronic components within MICA NG will allow it to carry a larger quantity of propellant, thereby significantly extending the range of the missile. Utilizing a new double-pulse rocket motor will also provide additional energy to the missile at the end of its flight to improve maneuverability and the ability to intercept long-range targets. Lastly, the addition of internal sensors will allow the monitoring of the status of the weapon throughout its life (including during storage and transport), contributing to significantly reduced maintenance requirements and cost of ownership.

“We are proud of the work completed with the DGA to achieve maximum technical and financial optimization,” said Antoine Bouvier, MBDA chief executive at the program launch. “The fact that we have reached this stage is thanks to the vision that we were able to share with our French customer to address its operational challenges, as well as our own long-term commercial challenges. The upgrading of the MICA family will enable us to support the armed forces throughout the remaining operational life of the Rafale.”

MCLEAN, Va. — The U.S. Navy has awarded Science Applications International Corp. (SAIC) an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for the production and delivery of integrated command, control, communications, computers, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems, networks and support equipment in support of the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SSC) Atlantic, the company said in a Nov. 8 release. The single-award contract has a five-year period of performance worth approximately $597 million.

The contract has an additional two-year award term that, if earned, would increase its potential value to approximately $861 million. Delivery/task orders awarded under the contract will include procuring, fabricating, assembling, integrating, testing, inspecting and delivering a highly diverse range of systems that include various complex designs provided by Navy program offices in the form of technical data packages.

Systems vary in complexity, but generally include the integration of engineered cable assemblies, mounting kit assemblies, hardware, and software/security applications necessary to provide the warfighter with the capability to communicate, maintain situational awareness and achieve information dominance. Work will be performed in Charleston, South Carolina, and Norfolk, Virginia.

“We are proud to continue to help SSC Atlantic streamline their system production services and provide warfighters with the latest technology available,” said Jim Scanlon, SAIC senior vice president and general manager of the Defense Systems Customer Group. “For this contract, SAIC enables shared resources across the command, resulting in cost savings; as we provide complex electronic systems to the Navy.”

MANAMA, Bahrain — An MH-53E Sea Dragon assigned to the “Blackhawks” of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15 embarked the expeditionary sea base ship USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) for the first time in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations for interoperability training Oct. 28-Nov. 7.

The training focused on improving airborne mine countermeasures (MCM) capability and interoperability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility (AOR). Lewis B. Puller is capable of supporting a wide variety of missions including crisis response, counter-piracy operations, maritime security operations and humanitarian aid/disaster relief. By embarking HM 15, the will add the airborne MCM mission to its expanding repertoire.

U.S. 5th Fleet’s Task Force 52 deputy commander, Capt. Andy Lamb of the U.K. Royal Navy, visited the Puller to observe the training.

“Ensuring maritime access for the free flow of trade is what mine countermeasures is about,” said Lamb. “The integration of HM-15 with Puller is a key component of this and demonstrates first-class versatility and readiness.”

The airborne aspect of MCM is one of the three areas that support the MCM triad. In addition to shipboard and expeditionary MCM, airborne MCM helps ensure stability and security in the region’s three critical chokepoints. Reoccurring training opportunities ensure that Task Force 52 is prepared to handle any potential threats to the free flow of commerce.

The expeditionary sea-base platform supports Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51, 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s (TF 51/5’s) diverse missions that include crisis response, airborne MCM, counter-piracy operations, maritime security operations and humanitarian aid/disaster relief missions while enabling TF 51/5 to extend its expeditionary presence in the world’s most volatile regions.

“Lewis B. Puller provides TF 51/5 and 5th Fleet a permanent platform that can be rapidly reconfigured to support vastly different mission sets in mere days,” said Capt. Scott Hattaway, the ship’s commanding officer. “Embarking the Blackhawks of HM-15 to conduct airborne MCM operations demonstrates this flexibility, especially in light of the entire equipment on load to achieve full mission-capability and actively conducting AMCM operations was accomplished in less than three days pierside.”

Lewis B. Puller was commissioned as a warship after previously being classified as a “USNS” ship in August 2017. Redesignating the ship as a commissioned warship allows the Navy greater operational flexibility and provide critical support to TF 51/5’s joint forces at sea, from the sea and ashore to meet potential threats in the 5th Fleet area of operations.

U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — The Coast Guard commissioned the first California-based 154-foot fast response cutter (FRC) in San Pedro Nov. 8, the 11th Coast Guard District said in a release.

Forrest Rednour is the first of four Sentinel-class FRC to be homeported at Base Los Angeles-Long Beach. Three additional FRCs are scheduled to be commissioned by next summer. While these ships will be based in San Pedro, they will operate throughout the 11th District, which includes all of California and international waters off Mexico and Central America.

“This cutter is specifically designed to face today’s threats in the maritime domain,” said. Rear Adm. Peter Gautier, the 11th District commander. “This cutter is faster, goes further and can do more than any other Coast Guard patrol boat.”

FRC’s are 154-foot multimission ships designed to conduct drug and migrant interdictions; ports, waterways and coastal security operations; fisheries and environmental protection patrols; national defense missions; and search and rescue.

“This crew and I are truly honored and humbled to be assigned to serve as plank owners aboard this cutter named for a true Coast Guard hero,” said Lt. Graham Sherman, Forrest Rednour’s commanding officer.

To date, the Coast Guard has accepted delivery of 31 FRCs. Each ship is designed for a crew of 24, has a range of 2,500 miles and is equipped for patrols up to five days. The FRCs are part of the Coast Guard’s overall fleet modernization initiative.

FRCs feature advanced command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance equipment, as well as over-the-horizon response boat deployment capability and improved habitability for the crew. The ships can reach speeds of 28 knots and are equipped to coordinate operations with partner agencies and long-range Coast Guard assets such as the national security cutters.

BATH, Maine — The construction of the future USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127) is officially underway at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works (BIW) shipyard, Naval Sea Systems Command said in a Nov. 9 release.

The milestone was marked with a ceremony held in the shipyard’s fabrication shop during which U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, made the initial cut to the first plate of steel for the ship. The ceremony was attended by BIW shipyard workers and Navy representatives.

The ship will honor Lance Cpl. Patrick Gallagher, Marine Corps Vietnam veteran and Navy Cross recipient. Gallagher was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions on July 18, 1966, when he selflessly threw his body on an incoming grenade, shielding his fellow Marines. He quickly pitched the grenade to a nearby river where it safely exploded out of harm’s way, without injury to himself or others. Gallagher was killed in action one year later in DaLoc near Da Nang on March 30, 1967. He is one of only 30 known Irish citizens to have died in the Vietnam conflict.

“It is exciting to commence construction on what will be the 77th ship of the Arleigh Burke class” said Capt. Casey Moton, DDG 51-class program manager, Program Executive Office Ships. “Not only will this ship continue the legacy of enduring warfighting capability, it will carry with it the strength and courage demonstrated by its namesake.”

DDG 127 will be the last Flight IIA configuration destroyer built by BIW. The ship will incorporate the AEGIS Baseline 9 Combat System which includes Integrated Air and Missile Defense capability. This system delivers quick reaction time, high firepower, and increased electronic countermeasures capability for anti-air Warfare.

BIW is currently in production on the future Arleigh Burke-class destroyers Daniel Inouye (DDG 118), Carl M. Levin (DDG 120), John Basilone (DDG 122) and Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124), as well as the Zumwalt-class destroyer Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG 1002). BIW was also recently awarded a contract for the construction of four DDG 51 Flight III ships as part of the Navy’s fiscal 2018-22 multiyear procurement.

BATH, Maine — The future USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001), the second ship in the Zumwalt-class of destroyers, departed General Dynamics’ Bath Iron Works (BIW) shipyard Nov. 9, Naval Sea Systems Command said in a release.

The guided missile destroyer is en route to California where it is so scheduled to be commissioned in Coronado on Jan. 26, prior to commencing post-delivery availability and combat systems activation.

As the ship’s departure coincides with Veterans Day weekend, the ship’s crew will take time to reflect on the sacrifice of service members, such as Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael A. Monsoor. DDG 1001 was named in honor of Monsoor, a U.S. Navy SEAL, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions while serving in Ramadi, Iraq.

As noted in the Medal of Honor citation, “by his undaunted courage, fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of certain death, Petty Officer Monsoor selflessly gave his life for his country, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”

“Michael Monsoor was, in the words of his teammates, a big, tough frogman,” said Capt. Scott M. Smith, commanding officer of PCU Michael Monsoor. “DDG 1001 is also big and tough — made that way by the skilled and dedicated workers and operators of Bath Iron Works. We are proud of our ship and our association with the City of Ships.”

Zumwalt-class destroyers feature a state-of-the-art electric propulsion system, wave-piercing tumblehome hull, stealth design and are equipped with space and weight margins that will allow the ship to employ our most advanced warfighting technology. These ships will be capable of performing a range of deterrence, power projection, sea control, and command and control missions while allowing the Navy to evolve with new systems and missions.

“This formidable warship will be a lasting tribute to the ship’s namesake. Petty Officer Monsoor’s bravery and sacrifice will be reflected in the crew’s dedication for generations to come,” said Capt. Kevin Smith, DDG 1000 class program manager, Program Executive Office Ships. “With the ship underway, we look forward to celebrating the ship’s commissioning with the Monsoor family and ship’s crew in the coming months.”

The Navy accepted hull, mechanical and electrical (HM&E) delivery of DDG 1001 from shipbuilder BIW on April 24. Zumwalt-class ships are delivered through a two-phase approach in which combat systems are installed and activated subsequent to HM&E delivery. Following commissioning, Michael Monsoor will begin combat systems activation, testing and trials.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy is working on greater integration of all aspects of undersea warfare, including strategic deterrence, attack submarines, unmanned undersea vehicles, seabed infrastructure and the surface and air anti-submarine assets, to ensure its investments and tactics all will contribute to a possible fight, the director of Undersea Warfare said Nov. 8.

“We are, no kidding, having the strategy drive the programs … to make sure we’re not buying things we don’t need to win the war,” Rear Adm. John Tammen told the Navy Submarine League’s annual symposium. The directions from the National Defense and National Security strategies are guiding an Integrated undersea investment strategy, he said.

A crucial focus of those investments is the modernization of the sea-based strategic deterrence with the Columbia ballistic-missile submarine to replace the current Ohio-class boomers.

“There really is no margin for Columbia,” to be on patrol by 2031, Tammen said, repeating a message heard earlier in the day from Vice Adm. Johnny Wolfe, director of Strategic Systems Programs. The ballistic-missile subs are “the only survivable component” of the strategic deterrence triad and provide 70 percent of the nuclear deterrent warheads, he said.

Keeping Columbia on schedule is critical because the Navy is extending the service life of the Ohios out to 42 years and “we’ve never taken a submarine out to 42 years.” To ensure the Ohio-class boats can remain operational for 42 years, the Navy stood up a study that will use the four early Ohios now serving as guided-missile subs as a test, he said.

They also will continue to modernize the Ohios to keep them relevant out to 42 years, Tammen said, using technology going into the new models of Virginia-class attack subs.

Tammen also discussed the little-known fact that the new Nuclear Posture Review said the sea-based strategic deterrence program would have “at least 12 Columbia” boats. It has been widely understood that the program called for only 12 of the new boomers.

Without going into any details, Tammen said “we’re going to keep the Columbia [production] line hot after the 12th boat, so if we need to build more than 12, we can.”

The limit on 12 Columbias is generally based on the number of nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles allowed under the New Start arms control treaty with Russia.

Tammen put considerable focus on the efforts to develop a family of unmanned undersea vehicles noting that they have consolidated unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) programs into his N-97 office, while closely cooperating with Expeditionary Warfare (N-95), which plans to use unmanned underwater systems in its mine warfare missions.

“Every day we have conversations on how we can move faster with UUVs,” he said.

In apparent response to some criticism of the slower development of UUVs, compared the aerial or ground unmanned systems, Tammen said, “unmanned undersea vehicles are truly autonomous. There is no joystick [controller] and no lawyer standing behind the joystick.” And they “have to ensure we can get the data off of them, to make them relevant.”

Although the primary purpose of producing the Virginia Payload Modules was to increase the Tomahawk strike capabilities of the attack subs, Tammen said the modules also could launch smaller UUVs. And the Navy is looking at other weapons that could go into the modules as part of the increased focus on tactical warfare capabilities.

Looking ahead, Tammen said his office was working on designs for block 5, 6 and 7 Virginia-class subs, but after that “we get to a new SSN,” which will “put fast back into fast attack. Fast with stealth.”