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
-
Anduril Australia shows first Ghost Shark for RAN at factory opening
The new underwater vehicle has been described as an "important deterrent" thanks to its ability to operate undetected for extended periods of time.
-
US Navy extends the deadline for submitting proposals for the Next Generation Logistics Ship
NAVSEA plans to select up to three suppliers for the concept design phase of the programme in Q2 FY2026.
-
Advances in USV technology help develop tomorrow’s hybrid fleet
As services like the Royal Navy and US Navy aim to develop hybrid fleets to reduce reliance on and dangers to crewed vessels, L3Harris, Metal Shark and Red Cat step forward.
-
South Korea displays domestic technology capabilities with KSS-III submarine launch
Hanwha Ocean’s Jang Yeong-sil is the Republic of Korea Navy’s first 3,600t submarine and is the first of three boats in the military’s KSS-III programme.
-
ST Engineering Marine expands capacity, seeks regional partners for growth
The company could be looking to collaborate with other Asian nations as well as countries further afield as it pushes ahead with its shipyard expansion plans.