RIVA TRIGOSO, ITALY -- On February 21, 2026, Fincantieri officially launched the next-generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Ugolino Vivaldi at its shipyard in Riva Trigoso. Ugolino Vivaldi is the first of four units that Fincantieri is building for the Italian Navy’s PPX program.

The PPX vessels are part of a program assigned to Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, a joint venture between Fincantieri (51%) and Leonardo (49%), by the Naval Armaments Directorate, part of the National Armaments Directorate. According to Fincantieri’s press release, the PPX program addresses the need to ensure adequate capabilities for presence and surveillance, maritime patrol, merchant traffic control, protection of communication lines and the exclusive economic zone, as well as activities to counter threats from marine pollution, such as the spillage of toxic liquids.

The OPV Ugolino Vivaldi has a length of approximately 95 meters, a displacement of about 2,400 tons, and the capacity to accommodate 93 crew members. Among the vessel’s most notable innovations is the integrated naval cockpit, developed for the Multi Purpose Combat Ships (PPA) of the Italian Navy. This station allows the control of engines, rudders, and platform systems, as well as some combat system functions, by just two operators—the pilot and co-pilot—optimizing efficiency and safety.

Source: Fincantieri
Associated URL: https://www.fincantieri.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026/fincantieri-launch-of-the-first-next-generation-offshore-patrol-vessel-for-the-italian-navy

WASHINGTON -- On February 24, 2026, SSN De Grasse, the French Navy’s fourth Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarine, began its first sea trial, also known as Alpha Trials, at Naval Group’s Cherbourg shipyard in Normandy. The submarine will go through different trials to test its performance before its scheduled delivery to the French Navy later in 2026.

Since its launch in May 2025, SSN De Grasse underwent dockside assessments and saw its nuclear reactor commissioned in December 2025. These processes included checks of equipment and systems both in assembly halls and in dry and water-filled docks.

The Barracuda programme is managed by the French Directorate-General for Armaments (DGA), in collaboration with the French Atomic Energy and Alternative Energy Commission (CEA) for the nuclear power elements. The Barracuda program aims to replace the six Ruby-class SSNs put into service in the French Navy from the 1980s.

The first two submarines from the class, SSN Suffren and SSN Duguay-Trouin, entered active service in June 2022 and April 2024, respectively. Naval Group handed over the French Navy’s third submarine, SSN Tourville, to the DGA in November 2024. The vessel entered active service in July 2025. Construction continues on the remaining two vessels, SSN Rubis and SSN Casabianca, with deliveries expected to extend through to 2030.

Source: Naval Group
Associated URL: https://www.naval-group.com/en/ssn-de-grasse-starts-its-sea-trials

CHANTILLY, VA. - Amentum has been chosen to support the UK’s efforts to develop hypersonic strike capabilities under a contract awarded by Team Hypersonics UK within the Ministry of Defense. The agreement supports the UK’s goal of strengthening sovereign defence capabilities while enhancing cooperation with Australia and the United States through the AUKUS partnership.

Under the 15-month Industry Mission Partner contract, with an option for a three-year extension, Amentum will establish a Joint Programme Office and a System Engineering Delivery Advisory Team. The company will help define engineering design requirements for a hypersonic weapon system demonstrator and assess flight-testing options.

Technical responsibilities include systems engineering, mission planning, sensor integration, test design and execution, safety systems development, lifecycle project management, and cost analysis to support the advancement of the UK’s hypersonic weapons program.

Source: Amentum
Associated URL: https://www.amentum.com/news/amentum-selected-to-advance-uk-hypersonic-strike-capabilities/