DefenceTalkBabcock has begun a docking period on Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll at Devonport Royal Dockyard, marking the official start of the Type 23 life extension program. HMS Argyll will be the first to undergo the Life Extension (LIFEX) Upkeep for Type 23 frigates – an extensive program of capability update and upgrade developed and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/argyll-upkeep-marks-start-of-type-23-life-ex-program-64546/

DefenceTalkThales has been selected, under the ‘CROWSNEST’ project, to provide the Royal Navy with a new airborne surveillance and control system to provide critical force protection to Joint forces, including the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. Following an industry competition, Lockheed Martin, who act as the Ministry of Defence’s prime contractor for the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/thales-surveillance-system-for-royal-navys-new-merlin-airborne-surveillance-helicopters-64274/

DefenceTalkA new helicopter-borne surveillance system has been chosen to protect the Royal Navy’s future Queen Elizabeth Class carriers. The MOD and Lockheed Martin UK, as the prime contractor for Crowsnest, have selected Thales as the chosen bidder to provide the radar and mission system at the heart of the Crowsnest capability. The Crowsnest project will […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-surveillance-system-for-future-royal-navy-aircraft-carriers-revealed-64272/

DefenceTalkA junior British serviceman who published allegations of safety and security lapses around Britain’s submarine-based nuclear missile defence system is now in military police custody, the Royal Navy said Tuesday. William McNeilly, 25, claimed Britain’s nuclear deterrent was a “disaster waiting to happen” and vulnerable to a terror attack. The newly-qualified engineer published an 18-page […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-serviceman-in-custody-over-nuclear-subs-safety-flaws-leak-64258/

DefenceTalkThe new addition to the Royal Navy’s Merlin family of aircraft has been conducting sea trials onboard the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Lyme Bay, operating daily from the Fleet Air Arm’s West Cornwall Base. The Green Merlin Mk 3 has recently been transferred from the RAF to the RN “Junglie” Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) and trials […]https://www.defencetalk.com/merlin-mk3-begins-royal-navy-sea-trials-63663/

DefenceTalkThe crew of USS Constitution commemorated the bicentennial of Old Ironsides’ final battle during the War of 1812, her unprecedented dual-victory over Royal Navy ships HMS Cyane and HMS Levant Feb. 20 in Charlestown Navy Yard. Constitution Sailors fired the ship’s saluting battery at noon to commemorate the start of the battle, and visitors to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uss-constitution-commemorates-200th-anniversary-of-dual-victory-over-royal-navy-63282/

DefenceTalkCase study from Deep Vision who pitched their ideas to industry and investors at the CDE Marketplace on 5 February 2015. Canadian company Deep Vision Inc was awarded a contract by CDE to explore a novel solution to enhance the effectiveness of live fire training exercises. Small arms weaponry is one of a graduated range […]https://www.defencetalk.com/improving-small-arms-training-for-the-royal-navy-62847/

DefenceTalkThe Scottish National Party, which could play a key role in British politics following elections in May, called on the main political parties to scrap Britain’s nuclear deterrent on Tuesday. The SNP’s leader in parliament, Angus Robertson, told MPs that the Trident nuclear-armed submarines, which are currently at the Faslane base near Glasgow in Scotland, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/scottish-mps-lay-down-gauntlet-over-uk-nuclear-fleet-62045/

DefenceTalkHMS Defender has arrived on station to provide vital support to a US Navy carrier task group in the Gulf, using her world-class air defence weapon systems to protect the US Navy aircraft carrier, USS George H W Bush and her aircraft as they launch airstrikes as part of the international coalition against ISIL. HMS […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-deploys-type-45-destroyer-to-gulf-60680/

DefenceTalkBritain’s future as a nuclear-armed nation could be thrown into doubt if Scotland votes for independence on September 18, experts say, raising serious questions about its future status in the international community. The UK’s Trident nuclear submarines are currently based at Faslane naval base on a sea loch west of Glasgow surrounded by dramatic mountain […]https://www.defencetalk.com/scottish-independence-may-force-uk-nuclear-deterrent-rethink-60541/