US coastal patrol ships test Griffin missiles
US Navy coastal patrol ships assigned to Patrol Coastal Squadron (PCRON) One have carried out proficiency fire testing of their MK 60 Griffin Missile Systems (GMS) from July 18-20 in the Arabian Gulf.
Five coastal patrol ships - USS Tempest, USS Squall, USS Chinook, USS Firebolt and USS Thunderbolt - launched surface-to-surface Griffin missiles at moving target sleds to demonstrate their ability to hit surface targets, such as small boats.
At sea testing for the GMS began in March 2012, with the GMS programme declared operational following live-fire tests on PCRON One's ships in March 2014. The GMS has since been rolled out over PCRON One's ten vessels.
The inclusion of the GMS to the coastal patrol ship's arsenal provides a greater depth of capability to counter threats.
The participating ships are five of the ten patrol ships forward deployed to Manama, Bahrain, assigned to Task Force 55, which is responsible for all surface forces in the US 5th Fleet area of operations, to include US Navy coastal patrol ships and US Coast Guard cutters.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy seeks suppliers for Landing Craft Utility 1700-class]()
US Navy seeks suppliers for Landing Craft Utility 1700-class
With ongoing market research to find potential shipyards for building LCUs, NAVSEA intends to issue a request for proposals for the programme next year.
-
![Australia’s A$12 billion Perth shipyard upgrade offers positive sign for AUKUS]()
Australia’s A$12 billion Perth shipyard upgrade offers positive sign for AUKUS
While the Australian government insists the investment is predominantly aimed at strengthening the country’s defence capabilities, the upgrade also bodes well for the AUKUS pact which Australia’s defence minister said “is going well”.
-
![DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology]()
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
![Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract]()
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
