Successful Underwater Firing of French Naval Cruise Missile

LEVANT (BNS): France has conducted successful test firing of the SCALP Naval cruise missile system from an underwater platform for the first time.

The missile, designated MdCN (missile de croisière naval) in French Navy, was test fired from the Levant Island in the Mediterranean on June 8. The launch was conducted by the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA).

Russian Navy plans to reassign cruiser Marshal Ustinov to Pacific Fleet

MOSCOW (BNS): Russian Navy is planning to reassign its missile cruiser Marshal Ustinov from Northern Fleet to Pacific Fleet, a media report said.

Currently, the cruiser is preparing for medium repairs in Northern fleet.

"In two years, the cruiser may be transferred from Severomorsk to Vladivostok to reinforce the grouping of the Pacific Fleet's surface ships," RIA Novosti quoted a Russian Navy admiral as saying.

Raytheon Missiles Used in Libya Won’t Need Replacement Purchases

The Navy won’t buy specific replacements from Raytheon Co. (RTN) for 162 Tomahawk cruise missiles that were fired at Libyan air defenses in the opening days of the U.S.-led coalition’s campaign to set up a no-fly zone.

“The Tomahawks that were shot are part of our current inventory; there are more than ample replacements for those, more than ample,” Admiral Gary Roughead, the chief of naval operations, told reporters in Washington. The Navy has more than 3,000 Tomahawks, he said.

Russia to create hypersonic cruise missiles for the Navy

Russia works on creation of hypersonic cruise missiles for the Navy, reports Interfax referring to Alexander Leonov, director general of defense-oriented corporation NPO Mashinostroyenia. 

"This is not a time for talking on how this project can be implemented. But I see no technical obstacles to realize these plans in the current decade", said Leonov having noted that development of such missiles was provided by State Arms Program 2011-2020. 

The director of NPO Mashinostroyenia did not detailed performance capabilities of developed missiles, but pointed out that the general trend is to "increase speed up to hypersound" and expand operating range. Besides, the new missiles will be multifunctional and capable to hit both land- and sea surface targets. In addition, "versatility of launch platforms is also of great importance, it is when the missile can be used with any delivery vehicle".