recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Nimitz-class Carrier

## Nimitz-class Aircraft Carrier

A Nimitz-class Carrier, USS John C. Stennis.

The ***Nimitz* class** is a class of ten nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in service with the United States Navy. The lead ship of the class is named after World War II United States Pacific Fleet commander Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who was the last living U.S. Navy officer to hold the rank. With an overall length of 1,092 ft (333 m) and a full-load displacement of over 100,000 long tons (100,000 t), the *Nimitz*-class ships were the largest warships built and in service until USS *Gerald R. Ford* entered the fleet in 2017.

Instead of the gas turbines or diesel-electric systems used for propulsion on many modern warships, the carriers use two A4W pressurized water reactors. The reactors drive four propeller shafts and can produce a maximum speed of over 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) and a maximum power of around 260,000 shaft horsepower (190 MW). As a result of nuclear power, the ships are capable of operating for over 20 years without refueling and are predicted to have a service life of over 50 years. They are categorized as nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and are numbered with consecutive hull numbers from CVN-68 to CVN-77.

All ten carriers were constructed by Newport News Shipbuilding Company in Virginia. USS *Nimitz*, the lead ship of the class, was commissioned on 3 May 1975, and USS *George H.W. Bush*, the tenth and last of the class, was commissioned on 10 January 2009. Since the 1970s, *Nimitz*-class carriers have participated in many conflicts and operations across the world, including Operation Eagle Claw in Iran, the Gulf War, and more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The angled flight decks of the carriers use a CATOBAR arrangement to operate aircraft, with steam catapults and arrestor wires for launch and recovery. As well as speeding up flight deck operations, this allows for a much wider variety of aircraft than with the STOVL arrangement used on smaller carriers. An embarked carrier air wing comprising around 64 aircraft is normally deployed on board. The air wings' strike fighters are primarily F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornets. In addition to their aircraft, the vessels carry short-range defensive weaponry for anti-aircraft warfare and missile defense.

The unit cost was about US$8.5 billion in FY 2012 dollars, equal to US$10.1 billion in 2021.

### Armament

#### Missiles

* x2-3 Mark 29 Missile Launchers
* RIM-162 ESSM or RIM-7 Sea Sparrow
* RIM-116

#### Guns

* x2-3 20mm Phalanx
* x2 Mark 38 Machine Gun System

### Ships in Class

* USS Nimitz
* USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
* USS Carl Vinson
* USS Theodore Roosevelt
* USS Abraham Lincoln
* USS George Washington
* USS John C. Stennis
* USS Harry S. Truman
* USS Ronald Reagan
* USS George H.W. Bush
USS Montgomery (LCS-8)

Not to be confused with USS Montgomery (DD-121), USS Montgomery (1776), USS Montgomery (1813), USS Montgomery (1858), USS Montgomery (C-9)

## Information

### Fate

Active

USS Montgomery (LCS-8) is an Independence-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy.

### Career

USS Montgomery experienced 2 engineering casualties in a 24-hour period in 2016. In October 2016 she collided with a tug. On October 26 she suffered a hull crack.

In the Summer of 2019 she received MQ-8 drones. She took part in AUMX 2019 along with BRP Ramon Alcaraz, RSS Tenacious, UMS Kyan Sittha, KDB Darulaman, and HTMS Krabi. She also took part in CARAT 2019 along with KDB Syafaat, KDB Darulaman, and USNS Millinocket.

In December 2021 she received USS Coronado's commanding officer.

On May 12, 2022, Montgomery test-fired an AGM-114 Hellfire missile. She is scheduled to be decommissioned in 2024.
FS Surcouf

Not to be confused with FS Surcouf (1858), FS Surcouf (1889), FS Surcouf (1929), or FS Surcouf (1964)

## Information

### Fate

Active

***Surcouf*** (F711) is a *La Fayette*-class frigate of the French Navy. Construction began at Lorient Naval Dockyard on 6 July 1992, launched 3 July 1993, and the ship was commissioned May 1996.

### Career

On 14 May 2001, *Surcouf* rendered assistance to the skipper of *Biscuits La Trinitaine-Team Ethypharm*, who had to abandon his ship after her starboard hull was seriously damaged. The catamaran's crew of five were airlifted to safety by helicopter.

On 14 October 2004, *Surcouf* assisted *Sara 2*, a Panamanian cargo ship which ran aground near Yemen. The 16-man crew was successfully airlifted by the Panther helicopter, and later transferred from the frigate to the Yemeni coast guard.

Between 17 and 21 May 2008, *Surcouf* participated in Exercise KhunjarHaad, a multi-national exercise held in the Gulf of Oman. Other participating warships included the American destroyer USS *Russell*, the British frigate HMS *Montrose*, the British fleet replenishment tanker RFA *Wave Knight* and four other coalition ships conducted air defense; surface warfare operation; visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS); and joint gunnery exercises, which focused on joint interoperability training and proficiency.

In November 2012 *Surcouf* deployed to the Horn of Africa as part of the European Union's Naval Operation in the area. A British Lynx HMA.8 helicopter of 815 Squadron was on board for the whole four-month deployment, along with 12 personnel including 2 Royal Marines snipers. This was the first extended deployment of a Royal Navy helicopter on a French warship and was the result of a treaty between the United Kingdom and France to share military resources and conduct more joint operations.

During a 2017–18 refit, the frigate was equipped with a Thales Bluewatcher sonar as part of a two-year trial that was subsequently extended through 2022. *Surcouf* was the first *La Fayette*-class ship to receive an active sonar capability.

In 2021, *Surcouf* deployed to the Pacific accompanying the French Navy helicopter assault ship *Tonnerre*.

In April 2022, *Surcouf*, with a Panther helicopter embarked, again deployed to the Indian Ocean to relieve her sister ship *Guépratte*. From 26 until 30 May 2022, *Surcouf* trained with the Kuwait Naval Force.

In October 2023 *Surcouf* was deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, joining the helicopter assault ship *Tonnerre* and the frigate *Alsace* which were also deployed to the region.

*Surcouf* is scheduled to undergo a modest structural and technical upgrade (with the elderly Crotale SAM to be removed from the vessel) and given somewhat reduced general-purpose capability, be re-assigned to offshore patrol duties prior to her planned withdrawal from service in 2027.
USS George Washington (SSBN-598)

Not to be confused with the other USS George Washington

USS George Washington

USS George Washington (SSBN-598) was the lead George Washington-class submarine of the United States Navy.

### Career

George Washington's first years were spent missile testing. In 1961 she completed her first patrol, a 66-day voyage in the Atlantic. She was switched to the Pacific Fleet after this.

On April 9, 1981, she collided with Nissho Maru. 20 of the crewmen were saved by JS Akigumo and JS Aogumo. George Washington was repaired with pieces from USS Abraham Lincoln. At the end of the year, her missiles were unloaded.

She had a short stint as an attack submarine before her 1985 decommissioning. She was recycled From 1986-1998.
USS J. William Middendorf

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Note: No image available

## USS J. William Middendorf (DDG-138)

**USS *J. William Middendorf* (DDG-138)** is a planned *Arleigh Burke*-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy, the 88th overall for the class. She will honor J. William Middendorf, a former Secretary of the Navy and US Ambassador to the Netherlands. The name was announced 10 June 2022.
USS George M. Neal

## USS George M. Neal (DDG-131)

USS George M. Neal, artist depiction

**USS *George M. Neal* (DDG-131)** is a planned *Arleigh Burke*-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy, the 81st overall for the class. She will be named in honor of Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class George M. Neal, a Korean War veteran and prisoner of war, who was a recipient of the Navy Cross. *George M. Neal* will be the sixth ship of the Flight III series.
USS Firebolt

## USS Firebolt (PC-10)

USS Firebolt

**USS *Firebolt* (PC-10)** is the 10th member of the *Cyclone* class of coastal patrol boats of the United States Navy. She is a 174 ft (53 m) vessel with a crew of approximately 30 sailors, normally homeported at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, Virginia. Her armament includes two Mk38 chain guns, two Mk19 automatic grenade launchers, and two .50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns, as well as six Stinger missiles. She was laid down by Bollinger Shipyards on 17 September 1993, launched on 10 June 1994, commissioned into the Navy on 10 June 1995, and she was decommissioned on 23 February 2022.

### Career

In February 2003, *Firebolt* deployed to Bahrain to operate in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. While there, she rotated crews so that she could remain on station without returning home for leave. In February 2004, *Firebolt* collided with a navigational buoy off the coast of Iraq. The subsequent inquiry board into the incident led to the removal of Lieutenant Commander Michael T. Sullivan from command.

On 24 April 2004, *Firebolt*'s rigid-hulled inflatable boat attempted a boarding operation on a dhow that was approaching the Khawr Al Amaya Oil Terminal in Iraq. As the boarding team of seven pulled alongside, the dhow exploded in an apparent suicide bombing. Two sailors and one Coast Guardsman were killed when the explosion flipped the boat over, dumping her crew into the water. The Coast Guardsman was a member of the embarked Law Enforcement Detachment and was the first Coast Guardsman to die in action since the Vietnam War. The survivors were picked up by an S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopter from the Australian frigate HMAS *Stuart*.

On 26 April 2021, *Firebolt,* in formation with USCGC *Baranof*, fired warning shots at several Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) fast inshore attack craft (FIAC) after the smaller boats closed to within 68 yards despite warnings via radio and loud-hailer. The U.S. ships were performing routine maritime security patrols in the international waters of the North Persian Gulf.
RSS Endeavour

## RSS Endeavour (210)

RSS Endeavour

RSS Endeavour (210) is an Endurance-class landing platform dock of the Republic of Singapore Navy.

### Career

She took part in CARAT 2009, along with RSS Conqueror, RSS Intrepid, RSS Vigour, RSS Stalwart, RSS Victory, USS Chafee, USS Chung-Hoon, and USS Harpers Ferry.

In 2010, Endeavour deployed to the Gulf of Aden, replacing RSS Endurance.
RIM-116

## RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile

### Users

Egypt, Germany, Greece, Japan, Mexico, Qatar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, USA (current), Netherlands (future)

### Designer

General Dynamics

The **RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile** (**RAM**) is a small, lightweight, infrared homing surface-to-air missile in use by the German, Japanese, Greek, Turkish, South Korean, Saudi Arabian, Egyptian, Mexican, UAE, and United States navies. It was originally intended and used primarily as a point-defense weapon against anti-ship missiles. As its name indicates, RAM rolls as it flies. The missile must roll during flight because the RF tracking system uses a two-antenna interferometer that can measure phase interference of the electromagnetic wave in one plane only. The rolling interferometer permits the antennas to look at all planes of incoming energy. In addition, because the missile rolls, only one pair of steering canards is required. As of 2005, it is the only U.S. Navy missile to operate in this manner.

The Rolling Airframe Missiles, together with the Mk 49 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) and support equipment, make up the RAM Mk 31 Guided Missile Weapon System (GMWS). The Mk-144 Guided Missile Launcher (GML) unit weighs 5,777 kilograms (12,736 lb) and stores 21 missiles. The original weapon cannot employ its own sensors prior to firing, so it must be integrated with a ship's combat system, which directs the launcher at targets. On U.S. ships, it is integrated with the AN/SWY-2 Ship Defense Surface Missile System (SDSMS) and Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS) Mk 1 or Mk 2-based combat systems. SeaRAM, a launcher variant equipped with independent sensors derived from the Vulcan Phalanx CIWS, is being installed on Littoral Combat Ships and certain *Arleigh Burke*-class destroyers.
Ships of the Bahraini Naval Force

Main Article: Royal Bahraini Naval Force

## List of Ships of the RBNF

### Patrol Craft

* RBNS Al-Zubara
* 5 Cyclone-class Patrol Ships
* 4 TNC-45 Ships
* 2 FPB 38 Ships
* 2 Swiftships 65 Ships
* 7 Mark V SOCs
* 2 Vigor Response Boats
* 6 BMT Group Boats
* 5+ Wasp Boats
* 10 VT Group Boats
* 4 Fairey Marine Swordsman boats

### Amphibious Warfare Ships

* 4 ADSB Landing Craft
* 4 LCU-1466
* 1 Fairey Marine LCU
Indian Navy

India's ensign

The **Indian Navy** (**IN**) is the maritime branch of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff, a four-star admiral, commands the navy. As a blue-water navy, it operates significantly in the Persian Gulf Region, the Horn of Africa, the Strait of Malacca, and routinely conducts anti-piracy operations and partners with other navies in the region. It also conducts routine two to three month-long deployments in the South and East China seas as well as in the western Mediterranean sea simultaneously.

The primary objective of the navy is to safeguard the nation's maritime borders, and in conjunction with other Armed Forces of the union, act to deter or defeat any threats or aggression against the territory, people or maritime interests of India, both in war and peace. Through joint exercises, goodwill visits and humanitarian missions, including disaster relief, the Indian Navy promotes bilateral relations between nations.

As of June 2019, Indian Navy has 67,252 active and 75,000 reserve personnel in service and has a fleet of 150 ships and submarines, and 300 aircraft. As of September 2022, the operational fleet consists of 2 active aircraft carriers and 1 amphibious transport dock, 8 landing ship tanks, 11 destroyers, 13 frigates, 2 ballistic missile submarines, 16 conventionally-powered attack submarines, 18 corvettes, one mine countermeasure vessel, 4 fleet tankers and numerous other auxiliary vessels, small patrol boats and sophisticated ships. It is considered as a multi-regional power projection blue-water navy.
Xiangtan

Not to be confused with Xiangtan (556)

## Xiangtan (531)

Xiangtan

Xiangtan (531) is a Type 054 frigate of the People's Liberation Army Navy.

### Career

Xiangtan participated in ADMM-Plus 2019 along with many other ships from several nations.

In May 2022, Xiangtan escorted the carrier Liaoning in a naval exercise, along with several other ships. She was sighted off the coast of Japan on May 22, 2022.
USS Sterett

Not to be confused with USS Sterett (DD-27), USS Sterett (CG-31), or USS Sterett (DD-407)

## Information

### Fate

Active

**USS *Sterett* (DDG-104)** is a Flight IIA *Arleigh Burke*-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy.

### Career

The contract to build USS *Sterett* was awarded to Bath Iron Works Corporation in Bath, Maine on 13 September 2002. On 17 November 2005, her keel was laid down, and she was christened on 19 May 2007. The ship's sponsor was Michelle Sterett Bernson, a familial descendant of Andrew Sterett, who himself had no children.

The vessel's commissioning took place in Baltimore, Maryland, Andrew Sterett's birthplace, on 9 August 2008. The ship's home port is Naval Base San Diego.

The ship was attacked without warning by Somali pirates using rocket-propelled grenades on 22 February 2011, during negotiations with the pirates for the release of four U.S. hostages, who were eventually killed.

The ship was under the control of Commander, Carrier Strike Group 9.
SPS Alvaro de Bazan

## SPS Alvaro de Bazan (F101)

SPS Alvaro de Bazan

SPS Alvaro de Bazan is an Alvaro de Bazan-class frigate of the Spanish Navy.

### Career

In 2005, she was a part of the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group in the Persian Gulf.

In early March 2007, she visited Australia, the first Spanish ship to do so in about 150 years. It was done to support the Hobart-class destroyer project.
ROCS Chang Chien

## ROCS Chang Chien (PFG2-1109)

ROCS Chang Chien

**ROCS *Chang Chien* (張騫, PFG2-1109)** is the seventh of eight Taiwanese-built *Cheng Kung*-class frigates based on the United States *Oliver Hazard Perry* class.

### Career

Laid down in June 1996 and launched in April 1997, *Chang Chien* was commissioned in November 1998. All of these Taiwanese frigates have the length of the later *Oliver Hazard Perry*-class vessels but have different weapon and electronics fits.

Like her sister ships, *Chang Chien* was built under license by China SB Corp. at Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, ROC.

As of 2005, *Chang Chien* is homeported at Tso-Ying naval base.
RFA Gold Rover

## RFA Gold Rover (A271)

RFA Gold Rover

RFA Gold Rover (A271) was a Rover-class oiler of the Royal Navy's Royal Fleet Auxiliary.

### Career

In July 1974, Gold Rover evacuated British Cypriots during the Turkish invasion.

Gold Rover visited Singapore in 1982.

On November 14, 1984, she was done with a refit in Gibraltar.

On December 1, 1990, Gold Rover lost her rudder in a storm. She was aided by a RAF SH-3 Sea King, which evacuated her crew.

In January 2000, she was towed by two tugboats after breaking down at sea.

In June 2006 she took part in a fleet review hosted by the Nigerian Navy. She and HMS Argyll seized 2 tons of cocaine in October.

In 2013 and 2014 she was refitted.

In 2015 she and HMS Lancaster participated in a St. Helena ceremony about the arrival of Napoleon.

In 2015 she took part in UNITAS.

In 2017, she was decommissioned and scrapping began in 2019.
USS Carl M. Levin

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## USS Carl M. Levin (DDG-120)

USS Carl M. Levin

**USS *Carl M. Levin* (DDG-120)** is a United States Navy *Arleigh Burke*-class Flight IIA guided missile destroyer, the 70th overall for the class. The ship is named for Carl Levin, a former United States Senator and Chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services.

### Career

The contract for the ship, along with the name, was first announced in a press release from General Dynamics, parent company of Bath Iron Works, on 31 March 2016. The official designation of DDG-120 as *Carl M. Levin* by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus was announced on 11 April 2016.

On 2 October 2021, *Carl M. Levin* was christened at the Bath Iron Works shipyard in Bath, Maine. She is the 42nd Flight IIA ship, and the fifth of the "technology insertion" (TI) builds with elements of the follow-on Flight III series. She is fitted with the Aegis Combat System baseline 9 which includes integrated air and missile defense capability.

*Carl M. Levin* completed her sea trials on 9 December 2022 and delivered to the United States Navy on 26 January 2023.

On 24 June 2023, the ship was commissioned in Baltimore, Maryland.
USS Jack H. Lucas

## USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125)

USS Jack H. Lucas

**USS *Jack H. Lucas* (DDG-125)** is an *Arleigh Burke*-class destroyer, first of the Flight III variants and 75th overall in the class. She is named after then-Marine Corps Private First Class, later United States Army captain Jacklyn H. Lucas, recipient of the Medal of Honor. On 17 September 2016, she was named by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.

### Construction

*Jack H. Lucas* was launched 4 June 2021, and christened 26 March 2022. The ship was commissioned on 7 October 2023 with the ceremony taking place in Tampa, Florida.

### Operational History

*Jack H. Lucas* left Ingalls on 12 December 2022 for three days of sea trials before returning to port on 15 December 2022.

On 27 June 2023, the US Navy formally took delivery of *Jack H. Lucas* from Ingalls. She remained in Pascagoula for another 120 days after delivery to allow the crew to move onto the ship.

On 26 September 2023, *Jack H. Lucas* left Ingalls for her home port in San Diego, California, with a stopover in Florida. She was commissioned in Tampa Bay on 7 October 2023.

### Namesake

Jacklyn Harold "Jack" Lucas (1928–2008) was a U.S. Marine, and later U.S. Army airborne officer, who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Iwo Jima, at the age of 17. He is the youngest Marine and youngest serviceman in World War II to be awarded the United States' highest military decoration for valor. When the keel of USS *Iwo Jima* (LHD-7) was laid in 1997, Lucas placed his Medal of Honor citation in the ship's hull, where it remains sealed.
BNS Nirmul

BNS Nirmul is a Durjoy-class semi-stealth Large Patrol Craft (or LPC) of the Bangladesh Navy. She was commissioned on August 29, 2013.

### Career

BNS Nirmul was deployed the Lebanon in 2014 as a part of United Nation Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL). She replaced BNS Madhumati in this role.

After completion of this deployment, BNS Nirmul deployed to the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka. She also paid a visit to Chennai Port in India.
USS Thomas G. Kelley

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Note: No image available

## USS Thomas G. Kelley (DDG-140)

**USS *Thomas G. Kelley* (DDG-140)** is a planned *Arleigh Burke*-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy, the 90th overall for the class. She will honor Captain Thomas G. Kelley (USN, Ret.), who as a then-Lieutenant serving in Vietnam, was awarded the Medal of Honor "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty". Kelley served in the Navy for 30 years, and after retirement, went on to become Secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services.
RFS Marshal Shaposhnikov

NOTE: Add pre-2003 history!

RFS Marshal Shaposhnikov

***Marshal Shaposhnikov*** (Russian: *Маршал Ша́пошников*) is a modernized *Udaloy*-class destroyer (Reclassified as Frigate) of the Russian Navy commissioned in 1985. The vessel serves in the Russian Pacific Fleet. Her namesake is Marshal Boris Shaposhnikov.

### Career

On 6 April 2003, *Marshal Shaposhnikov* left port, along with *Admiral Panteleyev* and the navy tanker *Vladimir Kolechitskiy*, to start a deployment to the Indian Ocean, where exercises with the Indian Navy were planned for May 2003. A number of Black Sea Fleet ships, plus, possibly, cruise missile submarines, joined the deployment.

On 6 May 2010, Russian Naval Infantry deployed from *Marshal Shaposhnikov* rescued the hijacked tanker MV *Moscow University*. The entire crew escaped unharmed. *Moscow University* had been hijacked by Somali pirates on 5 May 2010 off Socotra Island. The commandos from *Marshal Shaposhnikov* detained 10 pirates and killed one during the release of the tanker.

In November 2014, *Marshal Shaposhnikov* was part of a four-ship deployment to international waters off Australia. The deployment was believed to be linked to the 2014 G-20 Brisbane summit and growing tensions between the two nations.

In 2017 the ship received upgrades to its weapon systems and sensors. The upgrade included 16x 3S14 VLS cells for either Kalibr, Oniks or Zircon cruise missiles and two 3S24 quadruple launchers for 3M24 anti-ship missiles.

On 16 February 2018, the ship caught fire at Vladivostok. All 106 crew were evacuated.

On 10 July 2020 the *Marshal Shaposhnikov,* being reclassified as a frigate, started sea trials after receiving upgrades.

In April 2021, she launched Kalibr missiles against a land and a naval target, located respectively at a distance of over 1,000 km and 100 km. On the same month, she was reinstated back into the active service as part of the permanent formation of the Russian Navy Pacific Fleet.

She underwent another modernization in fall 2021.

On the 21 to 23 June 2022, *Marshal Shaposhnikov* and the corvette *Gremyashchiy* visited the port of Manila in the Philippines. On 25 June, the ships along with tanker *Pechenga* arrived at Cam Rahn, Vietnam. On 5 September, the destroyer took part in Vostok-2022 exercise in the Sea of Japan. On 15 September, she took part in the second Russo-Chinese joint naval patrol, along with corvettes *Sovershennyy*, *Gromky*, *Aldar Tsydenzhapov* and tanker *Pechenga*.

From the 21 to 27 December 2022, Marshal Shaposhnikov along with Pacific Fleet flagship Russian cruiser Varyag, the Project 20380 corvettes Aldar Tsydenzhapov and Sovershennyy carried out joint drills in the East China Sea with the Chinese Navy.
S-3 Viking

## Lockheed S-3 Viking

S-3 Viking

The **Lockheed S-3 Viking** is a four-crew, twin-engine turbofan-powered jet aircraft designed and produced by the American aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Corporation. Because of its characteristic sound, it was nicknamed the "War Hoover" after the vacuum cleaner brand.

The S-3 was developed in response to the **VSX** program conducted by the U.S. Navy (USN) to procure a successor anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft to the Grumman S-2 Tracker. It was designed, with assistance from Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV), to be a carrier-based, subsonic, all-weather, long-range, multi-mission aircraft.

On 21 January 1972, the prototype *YS-3A* performed the type's maiden flight. Upon entering regular service during February 1974, it proved to be a reliable workhorse. In the ASW role, the S-3 carried automated weapons and in-flight refueling gear. Further variants, such as the *ES-3A Shadow* carrier-based electronic intelligence (ELINT) platform, and the *US-3A* carrier-based utility and cargo transport, arrived during the 1980s and 1990s. In the late 1990s, the S-3B's mission focus shifted to surface warfare and aerial refueling a carrier battle group. It saw combat during the Gulf War of the early 1990s, the Yugoslav Wars of the mid-to-late 1990s, and the War in Afghanistan during the 2000s.

The S-3 was removed from front-line fleet service aboard aircraft carriers in January 2009, its missions having been taken over by the P-3C Orion, P-8 Poseidon, SH-60 Seahawk, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. For more than a decade after that, some S-3s were flown by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Thirty (VX-30) at Naval Base Ventura County / NAS Point Mugu, California, for range clearance and surveillance operations at the NAVAIR Point Mugu Range. These final examples in U.S. Navy service were retired in early 2016. The last operational S-3 was used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at its Glenn Research Center until NASA retired it in mid-2021. Most retired S-3s were placed into storage while options for their future were investigated. During the 2010s, Lockheed Martin proposed to refurbish them for carrier onboard delivery. The Republic of Korea Navy also had plans to operate revived S-3s for ASW; these plans were cancelled in 2017.
USS Thad Cochran

Note: no image available

## USS Thad Cochran (DDG-135)

**USS *Thad Cochran* (DDG-135)** is a planned *Arleigh Burke*-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy, the 85th overall for the class. She will be named in honor of Republican U.S. Senator represented Mississippi, William Thad Cochran, who was a U.S. Navy ensign during 1959–1961, he also served as numerous subcommittees during his time in United States Senate.
RSS Kallang

Note: No image available

Note 2: There are VERY few sources on RSS Kallang.

## RSS Kallang (M106)

RSS Kallang is a Bedok-class mine countermeasures ship in service with the Republic of Singapore Navy.

### History

After the crash of SilkAir Flight 185 on 19 December 1997 in the Musi River near Palembang, RSS *Bedok*, RSS *Kallang* and RSS *Punggol* were deployed as part of a Singapore Armed Forces contingent to assist Indonesian authorities in their search and recovery operations near the crash site.

The RSN was the first navy invited by the Indonesian Navy to conduct mine countermeasure operations to clear World War II mines off Tanjung Awar Awar, 70 km (38 nmi) north-east of Surabaya in February 1997. RSS *Bedok* and RSS *Kallang*, together with two Indonesian Navy vessels, successfully neutralized eight buried mines.

The ships were also involved in search and rescue operations after a Royal Navy Westland Lynx helicopter crashed into the South China Sea together with its two personnel on board during a training exercise on 23 September 1998.

In December 2014, RSS *Kallang* was deployed in the search for Airasia Flight QZ8501 after it crashed into the Java Sea on 28 December 2014; along with RSS *Supreme*, RSS *Valour*, RSS *Persistence*, MV *Swift Rescue*, and two Lockheed C-130H Hercules.
USS Spruance

Not to be confused with USS Spruance (DD-963)

## USS Spruance (DDG-111)

USS Spruance

**USS *Spruance* (DDG-111)** is a United States Navy *Arleigh Burke*-class destroyer. She is the 61st ship in her class. *Spruance* is the second ship to be named for Admiral Raymond A. Spruance (1886–1969), who commanded American naval forces at the Battles of Midway and the Philippine Sea. He was later Ambassador to the Philippines. Her keel was laid down on 14 May 2009. She was christened by the admiral's granddaughter, Ellen Spruance Holscher, on 5 June 2010 in Bath, Maine at Bath Iron Works, where the ship was built at a cost of $1 billion. The completed ship left Bath on 1 September 2011 for her commissioning in Key West, Florida on 1 October 2011.

*Spruance* was the first of the U.S. Navy's destroyers to be fitted with the Gigabit Ethernet Data Multiplex System (GEDMS), manufactured by the Boeing Company. GEDMS provides an Internet Protocol (IP) based backbone for video and data services on the ship. The bridge features touch screen controls and color readouts instead of gauges.

### Career

She was built by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. At her christening on 5 June 2010, the principal address was delivered by Honorable John Baldacci of Maine, and the vessel was christened by Ellen Spruance Holscher as the ship's sponsor. Commander Tate Westbrook was the ship's first commanding officer.

She sailed from San Diego on her maiden deployment on 16 October 2013, heading for Asia under the command of Commander George Kessler who was succeeded by Commander Daniel Cobian. Sailors from the *Spruance* rescued a Filipino mariner, 18 Jan. 2014 who had fallen overboard from his vessel while transiting the Singapore Strait. *Spruance* returned to Naval Base San Diego on 17 April 2014 following the completion of her maiden deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean.

On 18 April 2019, Spruance arrived in Sri Lanka for the 25th anniversary of CARAT 2019 series.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS *Spruance* (DDG-111) and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS *Mobile Bay* (CG-53) departed the Port of Seattle 2 Aug. 2019, officially ending Seattle Fleet Week.

On 22 May 2022, *Spruance* steamed into Tokyo Bay as a part of Destroyer Squadron 2, along with USS *Abraham Lincoln* and Carrier Strike Group 3.

*Spruance* participated in RIMPAC 2022.
Spanish Navy

Spain uses their flag as their ensign.

The **Spanish Navy** or officially, the **Armada**, is the maritime branch of the Spanish Armed Forces and one of the oldest active naval forces in the world. The Spanish Navy was responsible for a number of major historic achievements in navigation, the most famous being the discovery of America and the first global circumnavigation by Elcano. For several centuries, it played a crucial logistical role in the expansion and consolidation of the Spanish Empire, and defended a vast trade network across the Atlantic Ocean between the Americas and Europe, and the Manila Galleon across the Pacific Ocean between the Philippines and the Americas.

The Spanish Navy was the most powerful maritime force in the world from the late 15th century to the early 18th century. In the early 19th century, with the loss of most of its empire, Spain transitioned to a smaller fleet but maintained a major shipbuilding industry which produced important technical innovations. The Spanish Navy built and operated the first military submarines, made important contributions in the development of destroyer warships, and again achieved a first global circumnavigation, this time by an ironclad vessel.

The main bases of the Spanish Navy are at Rota, Ferrol, San Fernando and Cartagena.
RSS Conqueror

RSS Conqueror before transfer

RSS Conqueror, formerly HSwMS Sjolejonet, was a Sjoormen-class submarine, now a Challenger-class submarine, of the Swedish and now Republic of Singapore Navy.

### Career

HSwMS Sjolejonet was sold to Singapore as RSS Conqueror in 1999, where she was commissioned in 2004.

She took part in CARAT 2009 along with many Singaporean and American ships.
USS Chafee

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Not to be confused with USS Chaffee

## USS Chafee (DD-90)

USS Chafee near the Battleship Missouri memorial

**USS *Chafee* (DDG-90)** is an *Arleigh Burke*-class guided missile destroyer in United States Navy. She is named for Senator John Lester Hubbard Chafee (1922–1999), a Marine veteran of Guadalcanal who also served as the Secretary of the Navy. *Chafee* was laid down by the Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine on 12 April 2001, launched on 2 November 2002 and commissioned on 18 October 2003 in Newport, Rhode Island, the home state of the ship's namesake.

### Service History

*Chafee* left her homeport of Pearl Harbor 20 May 2005 for her maiden deployment with the *Nimitz* Carrier Strike Group (CSG). She returned to her homeport after a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

*Chafee* departed Pearl Harbor 9 April 2007, as part of the San Diego-based *Nimitz* CSG and deployed to the U.S 5th Fleet (C5F) area of operations. On 1 June 2007, *Chafee* fired her main gun at Al-Qaeda suspects in the Puntland region of Somalia. The men were wanted for the 1998 United States embassy bombings. *Chafee* returned home to Pearl Harbor on 22 September 2007, marking the end a successful 167-day Western Pacific and Middle East deployment.

*Chafee* is an active unit of the Pacific Fleet and operates out of Naval Station San Diego, California; currently, *Chafee* is assigned to the *Nimitz* carrier group.

On 10 December 2020, It was reported that *Chafee* tested the Tomahawk Block V missile for the first time.

*Chafee* participated in RIMPAC 2022.
USS Dentuda

## USS Dentuda (SS-335)

USS Dentuda

USS Dentuda (SS-335) was a Balao-class submarine of the United States Navy.

### Career

USS Dentuda's first and only patrol, in May 1945 to June 1945, resulted in the sinking of two patrol boats and damaging a cargo ship. In January 1946 she switched homeports from Pearl Harbor to San Diego.

She was assigned as a test vessel for Operation Crossroads. She was decommissioned at the end of the year and scrapped by 1969.
Fridtjof Nansen-class Frigate

## Fridtjof Nansen-class

HNoMS Helge Ingstad, the only inactive ship of the class

The ***Fridtjof Nansen*-class frigates** are a class of frigates that are the main surface combatant units of the Royal Norwegian Navy. The ships are named after famous Norwegian explorers, with the lead ship of the class bearing the name of Fridtjof Nansen. Five ships were ordered from Spanish shipbuilder Bazan (now Navantia).

The total projected cost for all five ships in 2009 was 21 billion kr (about USD 2.44 billion). As of November 2018, four are in active service and one has sunk and was subsequently scrapped.

### Design

The frigates were originally intended as a replacement for the aging *Oslo*-class frigates, with a primary focus on anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Eventually, the need for a robust anti-aircraft defense as well as the possibility of incorporating the Naval Strike Missile surface-to-surface missile produced by Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace led to a more multi-role design. The selection of Navantia as prime contractor led to the design being very similar to the Spanish Navy's *Álvaro de Bazán*-class frigates, including the incorporation of Lockheed Martin's AEGIS combat system.

### Improvements

The *Fridtjof Nansen*-class frigates are larger, and have more personnel and equipment than the *Oslo*-class frigates. Compared to the *Oslo*-class vessels, the new vessels are 35 meters longer, nine meters taller and two meters deeper below water. They are also five meters broader and have three times the water displacement of the old ships. The frigates operated six NFH NH90 helicopters, with the role as an extended "arm" of the frigates' anti-submarine and anti-surface capabilities but these will be taken out of services (2022) and returned to NH Industries. In 2023, Norway announced the acquisition of 6 MH-60R helicopters. While the helicopters would be prepared to be equipped for anti-submarine operations, they were initially to be deployed with the Norwegian Coast Guard. This meant that the replacement of helicopters specifically to operate off the *Fridtjof Nansen*-class remained outstanding.

The 2023 defence acquisitions plan indicated that the frigates would undergo technical upgrades beginning in 2025 in order to maintain their operational capabilities.

### Armament

#### Missiles

* RIM-162 ESSM x42
* NSM x8

#### Guns

* OTO Melara x1
* M2 Browning x3
* MG 3 x2

### Ships in Class

* HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen
* HNoMS Roald Amundsen
* HNoMS Otto Sverdrup
* HNoMS Helge Ingstad
* HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl
USS Sterett (DD-27)

Not to be confused with USS Sterett (CG-31), USS Sterett (DD-407), or USS Sterett (DDG-104)

## Information

### Fate

scrapped 1935

USS Sterett (DD-27) was a Paulding-class destroyer of the United States Navy.

### Career

USS Sterett took part in training and battle exercises along the East Coast from 1912 to 1914. She also operated along the Southern Coast and was in various units. She also took part in the invasion of the Dominican Republic. From 1915-1917, she operated around Texas and Boston, and also went through the Mississippi River.

During World War 1, she was stationed in Ireland, and she escorted convoys around Ireland. She dueled a U-boat over 2 days and dealt heavy damage to it from May 31-June 1, 1918.

After the war, she was decommissioned in 1919. After years of inactivity she was scrapped.
SH-2 Seasprite

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## Kaman SH-2 Seasprite

SH-2 Seasprite

The **Kaman SH-2 Seasprite** is a ship-based helicopter originally developed and produced by American manufacturer Kaman Aircraft Corporation. It has been typically used as a compact and fast-moving rotorcraft for utility and anti-submarine warfare missions.

Development of the Seasprite had been initiated during the late 1950s in response to a request from the United States Navy, calling for a suitably fast and compact naval helicopter for utility missions. Kaman's submission, internally designated as the *K-20*, was favourably evaluated, leading to the issuing of a contract for the construction of four prototypes and an initial batch of 12 production helicopters, designated as the *HU2K-1*. Under the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system, the HU2K was redesignated H-2, the HU2K-1 becoming the UH-2A. Beyond the U.S. Navy, the company had also made efforts to acquire other customers for export sales, in particular the Royal Canadian Navy; however, the initial interest of the Canadians was quelled as a result of Kaman's demand for price increases and the Seasprite performing below company projections during its sea trials. Due to its unsatisfactory performance, from 1968 onwards, the U.S. Navy's existing UH-2s were remanufactured from their originally-delivered single-engine arrangement to a more powerful twin-engine configuration.

In October 1970, the Seasprite was selected by the U.S. Navy as the platform for the interim Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) helicopter, which resulted in greatly enhanced anti-submarine and anti-surface threat capabilities being developed and installed upon a new variant of the type, designated as the *SH-2D/F*. Accordingly, during the 1970s and 1980s, the majority of the existing UH-2 helicopters were remanufactured into the improved SH-2F model. In this configuration, the Seasprite extended and increased shipboard sensor and weapon capabilities against several types of enemy threats, including submarines of all types, surface ships and patrol craft that may be armed with anti-ship missiles.

The Seasprite served for many decades with the U.S. Navy. Highlights of its service life included operations during the lengthy Vietnam War, in which the type was primarily used to rescue downed friendly aircrews within the theatre of operations, and its deployment during the Gulf War, where Seasprites conducted combat support and surface warfare operations against hostile Iraqi forces. In more routine operations, the Seasprite was operated in a number of roles, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), search and rescue (SAR), utility and plane guard (the latter being performed when on attachment to aircraft carriers). The type was finally withdrawn in 2001 when the last examples of the final variant, known as the SH-2G Super Seasprite were retired. During the 1990s and 2000s, ex-U.S. Navy Seasprites were offered to various nations as a form of foreign aid, which typically met with mixed interest and a limited uptake.
HMS Yarmouth (F101)

Not to be confused with HMS Yarmouth (1653), HMS Yarmouth (1695), HMS Yarmouth (1745), HMS Yarmouth (1798), HMS Yarmouth (1911)

## Information

### Fate

Sunk as target 1987

HMS Yarmouth (F101) was a Type 12I or Rothesay-class frigate of the Royal Navy.

### Career

On July 13, 1965, she collided with HMS Tiptoe. In 1966-1968 Yarmouth was refitted, given new weapons and electronics.

In April 1970 she was a part of the Apollo 13 recovery. On November 9, 1970, she rescued some of USSRS Bravyy's crew after the Soviet ship collided with HMS Ark Royal. Of the 7 crew members lost from USSRS Bravyy, all but 2 were saved. Several days later she aided Esso Chile after an explosion.

On November 28, 1976, ICGV Baldur collided with Yarmouth during the Third Cod War. Yarmouth had to limp away.

In the Falklands War, she was present when HMS Sheffield was sunk, and covered HMS Arrow as she fought the flames. She also provided aid to HMS Ardent after Argentine A-4 Skyhawks set her ablaze. Yarmouth and HMS Brilliant attacked an Argentine coaster later in the war. Yarmouth claimed an A-4 Skyhawk. Through the rest of the war she provided firefighting support to damaged ships and barraged land targets.

She, HMS Endurance, and RFA Olmeda took a base in the South Sandwich Islands at the end of the war.

Yarmouth was decommissioned in 1986 and was sunk as a target in 1987.
USS Patrick Gallagher

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## USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG-127)

Graphical depiction of USS Patrick Gallagher

**USS *Patrick Gallagher* (DDG-127)** is a planned United States Navy *Arleigh Burke*-class Flight IIA guided missile destroyer, the 77th overall for the class. She will be named for Lance Corporal Patrick Gallagher (1944–1967), an Irish-born Marine who earned the Navy Cross during the Vietnam War.

Unlike the previous two *Arleigh Burke*-class ships USS *Jack H. Lucas* (DDG-125) and USS *Louis H. Wilson Jr.* (DDG-126) which were inserted into the previous multi-year contract and are planned to be built in the Flight III configuration, *Patrick Gallagher* was separately added to Navy shipbuilding plans by Congress and will be built in the Flight IIA configuration. Bath Iron Works was awarded the contract for *Patrick Gallagher* on 28 September 2017 and construction started on 9 November 2018. On 30 March 2022, her keel was laid down at Bath Iron Works.
USS Laboon

## USS Laboon (DDG-58)

USS Laboon

**USS *Laboon* (DDG-58)** is an *Arleigh Burke*-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She is named for Father John Francis Laboon (1921–1988), a captain in the Chaplain Corps of the United States Navy, who was awarded the Silver Star during World War II while serving on the submarine USS *Peto*.

*Laboon*'s keel was laid down on 23 March 1992 at the Bath Iron Works shipyard in Bath, Maine. She was launched on 20 February 1993. *Laboon* was commissioned on 18 March 1995.

### Ship History

In the fall of 1996, she fired Tomahawk missiles at targets in Iraq, thus becoming the first *Arleigh Burke*-class destroyer to engage in combat.

In 1998, *Laboon* took part in NATO Exercise Dynamic Response 98, together with USS *Wasp*'s Amphibious Ready Group.

On 12 September 2012, *Laboon* was ordered to the coast of Libya in what the Pentagon called a "contingency" in case a strike was ordered. This was in response to the 2012 diplomatic missions attacks.

On 21 June 2015, *Laboon* entered the Black Sea along with the French ship *Dupuy de Lôme* as part of NATO's presence missions following the Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. While in the Black Sea, *Laboon* participated in joint maneuvers with a Romanian Navy *Rear-Admiral Eustațiu Sebastian*-class corvette** for two days beginning on 22 June 2015. On 27 June 2015, *Laboon* began a two-day visit to the Black Sea port of Batumi, Georgia to participate in training with the Coast Guard of Georgia and offer tours of the ship.

On 14 April 2018, she fired seven Tomahawk missiles from a position in the Red Sea as part of a bombing campaign in retaliation for the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons against people in Douma.

On 14 October 2023, Lloyd Austin directed *Dwight D. Eisenhower* and her carrier strike group, which includes the cruiser *Philippine Sea*, along with *Laboon*, and sister-destroyers *Mason* and *Gravely*, to the eastern Mediterranean in response to Israel's war with Hamas. This is the second carrier strike group to be sent to the region in response to the conflict, following *Gerald R. Ford* and her group, which was dispatched only six days earlier.

### Awards

* Navy Unit Commendation - (2021 (IKE CSG))
USS Stockdale

Not to be confused with USS Stockdale (1863), USS Stockdale (DE-399)

## USS Stockdale (DDG-106)

USS Stockdale

**USS *Stockdale* (DDG-106)** is an *Arleigh Burke*-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy. The third U.S. Navy ship of that name, *Stockdale* is named after Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale (1923–2005) and is the 56th destroyer in her class. She was authorized on 13 September 2002 and was built by Bath Iron Works. *Stockdale* was christened 10 May 2008 by Admiral Stockdale's widow, Sybil, and delivered to the Navy on 30 September 2008. She transited the Panama Canal in March 2009; Admiral Stockdale's youngest son and grandchildren joined the ship for the trip. USS *Stockdale* was commissioned on 18 April 2009 at Port Hueneme.

### Career

From November 2010 to July 2011, *Stockdale* performed an eight-month deployment in the United States Seventh Fleet Area of Responsibility. She made ports of call at Guam, Sepangar, Malaysia; Sihanoukville, Cambodia; Laem Chabang, Thailand; Singapore, and Chinhae, South Korea.

In July 2012, *Stockdale* participated in the naval exercise RIMPAC 2012. This included maneuvers in the Kaulakahi Channel (between Kauai and Niihau Islands, Hawaii) near the PMRF.
USS *Stockdale* departed San Diego in July 2021 and joined Carrier Strike Group One. *Stockdale’s* sonar dome was damaged while underway, on 21 January 2022 and repairs were made in Yokosuka. After the damages were repaired, *Stockdale* began its journey home and arrived at San Diego on 15 July 2022.