Tag: ScanEagle

HMAS Newcastle’s operations complete

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HMAS Newcastle has rounded out her busy six-month deployment to the Middle East, completing some ‘firsts’ and ‘lasts’ for Australian Navy ships in the region. During her demanding deployment, she patrolled about 25,500 nautical miles or five times the distance around Australia. She conducted a range of Combined Maritime Forces operations, including an attachment in support of the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, and trialed emerging naval capabilities. Commanding Officer, Commander Mark Sirois said the deployment included many highlights. “During our attachment to the US 5th Fleet and USS Nimitz…

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Soaring with Eagles

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Launching a complex unmanned aerial system from stable ground is one thing, but Navy’s Lieutenant Simon Jeffery has made it his mission to launch them from a ship – a moving roller coaster at times.  The 26-year-old Navy Pilot is currently deployed to Operation MANITOU onboard HMAS Newcastle.  The ship’s primary mission is to contribute to the international effort to promote maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.  Newcastle is the first Australian ship to deploy on the operation with a ScanEagle as part of her intelligence,…

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ScanEagle completes operational evaluation

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HMAS Newcastle has conducted the Royal Australian Navy’s first simultaneous operations of manned and unmanned aircraft during its current deployment to the Middle East on Operation MANITOU. In September, Newcastle’s MH-60R helicopter and ScanEagle Unmanned Aerial System were employed on concurrent surface search tasking in the Gulf of Oman in support of Task Force 50, United States Navy’s 5th Fleet. Commanding Officer, Newcastle, Commander Mark Sirois said the integration of manned and unmanned aerial operations offered significant flexibility to Commanders at sea. “The cooperative employment of both aviation platforms allows…

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