US Navy receives final Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship
The delivery acceptance of the future USS Pierre marks the conclusion of the construction phase for the Independence-variant.
The US Navy has successfully completed a series of guided flight tests of the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Block 2A short-range, surface-to-air missile, Raytheon announced on 19 June.
The testing, which took place at the Naval Air Warfare Center in China Lake, California, and from the navy's self-defence test ship off the coast of Southern California, demonstrated the missile’s improved guidance and targeting capabilities.
RAM is a ship self-defence weapon designed to protect ships of all sizes, from 500-ton fast attack craft to 95,000-ton aircraft carriers. The latest software upgrade enhances guidance and the missile's capability to defeat threats.
Raytheon expects to deliver the RAM Block 2A missile to the navy by the end of the year.
The delivery acceptance of the future USS Pierre marks the conclusion of the construction phase for the Independence-variant.
The new Barracuda version has been engineered to perform enhanced subsea and seabed warfare missions.
The nearly $25 billion investment will cover USCG procurement of cutters, aircraft, helicopters, training simulators and Polar capabilities over the next four years.
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.