Author Archives: David Arkwright

The Royal Australian Navy successfully fired a Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise Missile for the first time in a test off the American West Coast.Australia is only the third nation to fire the long range cruise missile.HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41), the second of three Hobart-class air warfare destroyers in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), fired the Tomahawk missile during its ongoing ‘interchangeability deployment’ to the US. Throughout that deployment Brisbane has operated out of Naval Base San Diego where the ship also completed a four-week maintenance availability with the support of the US Navy.

HMCS Protecteur – new Joint Support Ship (based on German navy’s Berlin class) rolled onto heavy lift vessel ahead of float off at Seaspan shipyard in Vancouver.

The ship can carry 6,875 tonnes of marine diesel and 1,037 tonnes of aviation fuel for issue as well as solid stores for replenishment by heavy jackstay.

Today, 50 years ago in 1974 Gunnery in the Submarine Service came to an end as HMS ANDREW fired her last 4″ shell from her deck gun in the ranges off Portland. The gun itself is preserved at the RN Submarine Museum in Gosport.

Even before the defence review has begun, five Royal Navy warships are to be scrapped, not good news, all five ships to be axed have already been inactive for some time and this does not actually weaken the frontline strength of the RN right now any further.In some ways, this announcement is simply about being honest that ships officially listed as part of the ORBAT, (in some cases for years) should no longer be considered part of the fleet.