LOCATIONS
MARITIME
13 Mar 25. Navantia’s 2nd S80 Submarine Starts Tests and Safety Milestones. The S-82 ‘Narciso Monturiol’ submarine, second of the series of four that Navantia is building for the Spanish Navy, has successfully accomplished its first safety milestone: the “power up” of the equipment. The “power up” consists of the start-up of the main and emergency electrical distribution networks. From the completion of this milestone, the various equipment can be safely powered from their distribution panel. The “power up” is the first safety milestone planned within the Safety Milestones Management Plan of the S-80 Program, which aims to establish a framework that demonstrates that the construction and testing process of the S-80 Program submarines is carried out in a way that ensures the lowest possible risk level. More than 1,500 harbour tests. As a complement to the safety milestone, the first Harbour Acceptance Tests of the S-82 ‘Narciso Monturiol’ submarine have been carried out, as part of a program that includes more than 1,500 verifications, including acceptance and builder tests. These milestones show the satisfactory advance of the S-80 program, with the first submarine already in service for the Spanish Navy, and the second one accomplishing these tests prior to its launching, scheduled for next summer. The S-80 submarines have a total length of 80.8 meters, a diameter of 7.3 meters, and a submerged displacement of around 3,000 tons. Among their technological contributions are the combat and platform control system from Navantia Sistemas, and a revolutionary anaerobic propulsion system developed by Navantia that provides great stealth in immersion, called BEST-AIP. This air-independent propulsion system allows it to obtain electrical energy from fuel cells using technology from the aerospace sector, at any depth. Thus, it can remain submerged for weeks without surfacing, which improves its discretion, the main attribute of a submarine. The S-80s are the most advanced conventional (non-nuclear) submarines in the world, which have aroused the interest of several navies from other countries like Poland or Canada, and opened a door to the international market in a highly technological sector. (Source: ASD Network)
10 Mar 25. New Iraqi fast patrol boats built by Ares Shipyard enter service. The Iraqi naval forces’ three new Type 55 SAT special operations support and fast attack craft have officially entered service. Announcing the milestone on 7 March, Türkiye’s Ares Shipyard, which built the vessels under subcontract to ENM Korea, said the new boats have now commenced patrol duties in and around Umm Qasr in southern Iraq. The Type 55 SAT boats were ordered by the Iraqi Ministry of Defence from ENM Korea under a contract awarded in October 2022. Construction began at Ares Shipyard’s facilities in Antalya on 7 October 2022 and the three units, with pennant numbers P 1011, P 1012 and P 1013, were delivered to the Iraqi naval forces in December 2024. The all-aluminium vessels have an overall length of 19.1 m, a 4.1 m beam, and a draught of 1 m. They are powered by twin diesel engines and two waterjets to provide a top speed of 45 kt. Armament includes one Aselsan Stamp stabilised remote-controlled naval weapon system and two 12.7 mm machine guns. Other equipment on board includes a suite of naval communications equipment, an electro-optic (EO) sensor, and an X-band radar. The boats are designed for fast patrol, surveillance, protection of critical infrastructure, and asymmetric warfare operations. (Source: Janes)
07 Mar 25. Japan inducts fourth Taigei-class submarine. Japan has commissioned its fourth Taigei-class diesel-electric submarine (SSK). The boat, which has been named JS Raigei, was inducted on 6 March, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) disclosed in a post via its official social media page on the same day. Raigei was launched by Kawasaki Heavy Industries in October 2023 as part of plans to equip the JMSDF with a fleet of lithium-ion battery-fitted submarines. The Taigei class displaces about 3,000 tonnes when surfaced and has an overall length of about 84 m, an overall beam of 9.1 m, and a hull draught of about 8.5 m. The SSK can accommodate a crew complement of 70, and this includes a separate compartment for female crew members. Its form factor incorporates an X-configuration stern rudder, which provides the boat with better manoeuvring capabilities in shallower waters. Raigei is powered by two Kawasaki 12V 25/25SB diesel engines, and it can attain top speeds in excess of 20 kt when dived. In terms of sensors, the class is equipped with bow- and flank-mounted sonars and will also be able to deploy towed array sensors. For weapons, Raigei is armed with six 533 mm tubes that can deploy the Type 89 wire-guided torpedo, which can strike targets at distances of up to 50 km away. All submarines across the Taigei class are also expected to deploy Japan’s future Type 18 heavyweight torpedoes and the UGM-84L Harpoon submarine-launched anti-ship missile in due course. (Source: Janes)
AIR
11 Mar 25. Airbus Helicopters has introduced its H140 at the vertical lift industry show VERTICON in Dallas, Texas. The multi-mission helicopter raises the bar in the light twin-engined category, for performance, cost-effectiveness, and passenger and crew comfort. The H140 is a 3-tonne class rotorcraft that complements Airbus Helicopters’ current light twin offering for the emergency medical services, passenger transport, and private and business aviation markets. The entry into service of the helicopter is planned in 2028 for the emergency medical services segment.
“Introducing a new helicopter to the light twin engine segment is a testimony to our commitment to meeting our customers’ evolving mission requirements, leveraging our R&T programmes such as Bluecopter,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “We worked hand in hand with our H135 customers to bring their additional requirements together in the H140’s efficient design. It enables customers to benefit from a bigger mission-enhancing cabin space that was sized to an optimised engine performance for the best-in-class payload and range. We are proud to be able to offer our customers the most competitive choices,” he added.
The Company presented a full-scale model in an emergency medical services configuration at VERTICON. The H140 features a wide range of innovations, including a new T-shaped tail boom with an optimised Fenestron that reduces sound levels, a five-blade bearingless main rotor, and new powerful engines. The helicopter also features a larger cabin space, large windows and optimised cabin layout that can accommodate up to six passengers comfortably. Designed with accessibility in mind, thanks to the large clamshell doors and the high tail boom, the H140’s rear loading capabilities allow the use of different types of stretcher systems including intensive care ones and transport incubators while its large sliding doors facilitate access to the cabin. The H140, powered by the Safran Arrius 2E 700 shp engine, offers the best payload/range in its class. The two engines of the helicopter are managed by a dual-channel full-authority digital engine control (FADEC) system, guaranteeing unprecedented levels of performance in all engines operative (AEO) operations and considerable power reserves in one engine inoperative (OEI) scenarios. The new H140 also features the same five-bladed rotor system that was introduced on the H145 in 2019. The bearingless main rotor design simplifies maintenance, improves serviceability and reliability, and provides the highest level of passenger and crew comfort. H140 operators will benefit from an optimised maintenance plan that harmonises airframe and engine maintenance schedules and allows longer intervals between inspections, reducing the helicopter’s operating and maintenance costs. In total, the company will have four dedicated prototypes, with the first aircraft already being flight tested at the company’s site in Donauwörth. The H140 will feature Helionix, Airbus Helicopters’ avionic system that also equips the H135, H145, H160 and H175. Helionix, in addition to the 4-axis autopilot, offers an innovative cockpit layout to enhance situational awareness, reducing the pilot workload and increasing the safety during the mission.
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
12 Mar 25. USAF LG John D. Caine (Ret.) for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
10 Mar 25. Mark Carney won the race to become leader of Canada’s ruling Liberal Party and will succeed Justin Trudeau as prime minister, official results showed on Sunday. Carney will take over at a tumultuous time in Canada, which is in the midst of a trade war with longtime ally the United States under President Donald Trump and must hold a general election soon. Carney, 59, took 86% of votes cast to beat former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland in a contest in which just under 152,000 party members voted. (Source: Reuters)
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
06 Mar 25. Silvus Technologies, Inc., a global supplier of advanced wireless networking communication solutions, has announced the appointment of Jeffrey Lassiter to its executive management team as Chief Financial Officer. With more than 20 years of experience in aerospace and defense, industrial manufacturing and engineering services industries, Mr. Lassiter brings strategic financial leadership and a deep understanding of advanced communications systems engineering to Silvus. (Source: UAS VISION)