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 to develop an undersea networking capability to support UUV operations]()
US Navy to develop an undersea networking capability to support UUV operations
The NEREUS project aims to enhance and expand the US Navy’s existing communications systems, enabling crewed/uncrewed seabed and subsurface missions.
-
![How the Hedge Strategy will impact the US Navy’s future capabilities]()
How the Hedge Strategy will impact the US Navy’s future capabilities
The US Navy Hedge Strategy is intended to provide a lethal, modular and cost-effective fleet while accepting Washington’s fiscal and industrial constraints.
-
![US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo]()
US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo
Designed as an anti-torpedo and anti-submarine capability, the USN and RTX foresee the Compact Rapid Attack Weapon’s potential for deployment from surface ships and aerial and uncrewed platforms.
-
![European navies line up $105.8 billion in unawarded contracts for 2026]()
European navies line up $105.8 billion in unawarded contracts for 2026
France, Germany and Italy lead the way on unawarded naval defence opportunities that could be awarded this year, but across Europe countries are ramping up their spending efforts to face geopolitical challenges.
