HMS Vigilant (S30). Royal Navy Photo
More than 30 members of the crew of the U.K. Royal Navy ballistic-missile submarine HMS Vigilant (S30) have tested positive for COVID-19 following a port visit to the U.S. Navy’s East Coast SSBN hub, a U.S. official told USNI News. Read More
HMS Vigilant in 2014. Royal Navy Photo
Neither U.S. sailors nor civilian personnel were involved in so-called “drug-fueled” parties with members of the crew of the U.K. nuclear ballistic missile submarine HMS Vigilant that resulted in the expulsion of nine sailors from the Royal Navy, U.S. officials told USNI News on Sunday. Read More
Trident II D5 Launch. US Navy Photo
LONDON — The unshakeable reliability of Britain’s submarine-based nuclear deterrent has been called into question after a Trident II D5 ballistic missile reportedly veered off course during a test last year. Read More
An artist’s conception of the U.K.’s Successor-class future planned ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). UK Ministry of Defense Photo
LONDON — The first of the Royal Navy’s future ballistic nuclear missile submarines will be known as HMS Dreadnought, the UK Ministry of Defence announced on Friday. Read More
Workers stand pose for a photo in the four-tube “quad-pack” built for the U.S. Ohio Replacement-class and U.K. Successor-class. General Dynamics Electric Boat Photo via US Navy
The U.S. Navy and U.K. Royal Navy’s replacement ballistic missile submarine programs both took steps forward this week, with the Navy awarding $101.3 million to General Dynamics Electric Boat to produce the first 22 missile tubes under the Common Missile Compartment program, and the Brits cutting steel on the first boat in the Successor-class program. Read More
UK Royal Navy’s HMS Vanguard “vents off” as she leaves HMNB Clyde in Scotland in 2012. UK MoD Photo
The U.K. House of Commons approved a measure to renew the Royal Navy’s Trident nuclear weapons program and continue funding for four planned Successor-class ballistic nuclear submarines (SSBN). Read More
USNI News polled its writers, naval analysts and service members on what they consider the most important military and maritime stories in 2015. Read More
A P-8A Poseidon aircraft departs Boeing Field in Seattle for Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. on Nov. 20, 2014. US Navy Photo
CORRECTION: A previous version of this post stated the incorrect number of planned Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy. The U.K. anticipates building eight of the new ship class, not five.
LONDON — Five years after a cash-strapped Great Britain retired the last of its Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR2 maritime patrol aircraft from frontline duty, Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday announced a belated replacement for the vital capability—in the shape of nine Boeing P-8 Poseidon aircraft. Read More
An artist’s conception of the U.K.’s Successor-class future planned ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) released Tuesday. UK Ministry of Defense Photo
LONDON — The British government has decided to replace the Royal Navy’s four Vanguard-class ballistic nuclear missile submarines (SSBN) with new boats on a one-for-one basis. Read More
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert and First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy Adm. Sir George Zambellas participate in a moderated talk focused on the future of the British-American naval alliance at Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs on July 15, 2015. US Navy Photo
LONDON — Five years ago the Royal Navy was reeling from the impact of the British government’s 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), a financially-driven undertaking that resulted in the scrapping of the last two Invincible-class light aircraft carriers, the withdrawal from service of their Harrier jets, the sale of one amphibious-dock ship and the mothballing of another and severe cuts to the destroyer and frigate force. Read More
