Category: Magazine

When the box falls into the sea

When the box falls into the sea

Gepostet von | 25 Apr 2025 | , , | 0

Six years ago, the MSC Zoe lost several hundred containers in the North Sea - and for hours the crew didn't notice. Researchers are now working on how to minimise the extent of such accidents. Six years ago, the "MSC Zoe" was one of the largest container ships in the world: a good 395 metres long and 59 metres wide, it can load over 19,000 standard containers (TEU). The Panamanian-flagged ship was on its way to Bremerhaven from Portugal on the night of 2 January 2019 when it happened: In several batches and in bad weather off the Dutch and German coasts, the...

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Great Britain - Nuclear submarine on hold

Great Britain - Nuclear submarine on hold

Gepostet von | 24 Apr 2025 | , , | 1

The "HMS Audacious" had to wait a whole two years for necessary work on the outer hull before it could finally move into dry dock number 15 in Devonport as part of its shipyard repair phase. After a one-year deployment in the Mediterranean from 2022 to 2023, the fourth attack boat in the Astute class (97 metres long, 7,500 tonnes submerged) needed a dry berth sooner than expected for urgently needed work on the outer hull. However, Dock 15 had to be remodelled and adapted to the dimensions of the Astute class beforehand - after four years in which the last boat of the ageing Trafalgar class was still berthed there. With...

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Autonomous naval boats: The self-employed

Autonomous naval boats: The self-employed

Gepostet von | 23 Apr 2025 | , , , | 0

Many companies are developing new combat boats or equipping tried and tested ones with modern technology for autonomous use. One of the pioneers is Team Germany with Tamsen, Hagenuk, Hensoldt and Plath. In the wake of changing security policy challenges and the changing requirements for modern maritime deployment concepts, the further development of combat and operational boats is becoming increasingly strategically important. At the same time, the development of autonomous maritime systems is progressing rapidly. State-of-the-art sensor technology, AI-supported data processing and autonomous control systems are revolutionising military and security-related ship operations. Many nations are increasingly relying on unmanned systems, particularly in the areas of border protection, reconnaissance and tactical operations. Autonomous mission boats are playing a key role in...

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France tests the "Courbet" frigate

France tests the "Courbet" frigate

Gepostet von | 22 Apr 2025 | , , | 1

Unlike other navies, the German Navy also tests its units against shock effects while they are in operation - and underway. However, this rarely happens. At the end of February, it happened again: "Courbet", one of the five La Fayette-class frigates (124 metres, 3,800 tonnes) with almost 30 years at sea under its keel, was subjected to a mine explosion as a "near miss explosion" in order to put the crew and equipment to the test. The result is of course subject to secrecy. The US Navy, for example, tests its type ships in a series of four blasts in ascending intensity up to 66% of the "maximum design shock value" on the third...

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A (no longer quite so) new threat to the fleet?

A (no longer quite so) new threat to the fleet?

Gepostet von | 21 Apr 2025 | , , | 0

In the Red Sea, the frigate Hessen successfully defended itself against a ballistic missile launched by the Huthi rebels. However, the frigates are not actually equipped to defend against such weapons. "Surprise always comes where you didn't expect it." Lieutenant Captain Marius Werth, 1st Air Defence Officer of the frigate Hessen, opened his stirring presentation at this year's Naval Historical-Tactical Conference with this quote from Wilhelm Busch. Lieutenant Captain Werth reported on the cold start and the look into the crystal ball that the frigate Hessen faced in February 2024 when it was deployed as part of the international crisis management programme to protect merchant shipping against attacks by Houthi militias.

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