Maritime Security Vessel News Roundup | February 9 – US Navy surface ships plus patrol boats for Australia and Pakistan
The US Navy gradually expands its surface warship fleet with new deliveries while testing continues on a naval patrol vessel for Australia. A Pakistani yard lays the keel of a new gunboat to be operated locally by the navy. Finally, an Australian regulatory operator awards a local builder a contract for three patrol craft.
US Navy takes delivery of two new surface combatants
The US Navy recently took delivery of two new surface warships.
First to be delivered is the future USS Carl M. Levin, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer. Built by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Maine, the ship honours the late US Senator Carl M. Levin, who had twice chaired the US Senate Armed Services Committee.
The navy said the future Carl M. Levin is an Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA destroyer with the Aegis Baseline 9 Combat Systems, including integrated air and missile defence capability.
Also recently delivered was the future USS Marinette, a Freedom-class littoral combat ship 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.
The future Marinette is scheduled to be commissioned in June 2023. The ship will be homeported in Mayport, Florida.
Royal Australian Navy's fifth Evolved Cape-class patrol boat launched
Austal Australia has launched the fifth Evolved Cape-class patrol boat slated for the Royal Australian Navy.
Named after the headland at the south-eastern tip of Phillip Island in Victoria, the future ADV Cape Woolamai was launched at Austal's shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia, following approximately 12 months of construction.
Once completed, the 57-metre vessel will be capable of sustained operations lasting a maximum of 28 days or covering a range of 4,000 nautical miles in conditions up to Sea State Four. Deck space is also available for two small response tenders to conduct at-sea boardings and interceptions.
Keel laid for locally built gunboat for Pakistan Navy
Pakistani builder Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) has laid the keel of the first vessel in a new class of 20 indigenously constructed gunboats that will be operated by the Pakistan Navy.
The vessel will have a length of 38 metres, a maximum speed of 33 knots, and armament consisting of a 30mm autocannon and 12.7mm and 7.62mm machine guns.
The first gunboat is scheduled for delivery to the navy in January 2024. Construction of all 20 boats in the class is being undertaken by KS&EW with assistance from US-based naval shipbuilder Swiftships.
Australian builder secures patrol boat order from local customer
Queensland, Australia-based boatbuilder Norman R. Wright and Sons has been awarded a contract for the construction of three patrol vessels in a series for an undisclosed Australian regulatory department.
The boats will each have a length of 11.94 metres and Volvo inboard engines for enhanced efficiency and manoeuvrability. Berths will be available for two people.
Construction will be in compliance to both DNV and AMSA DCV 2C guidelines.