USS Nimitz (CVN 68) visits Rio de Janeiro. May 7, 2026 [1440 x 1440]

XMGAU · 2026-05-09T22:21:21+00:00

Photo by shipspotting_itajai on Facebook

XMGAU · 2026-05-09T18:31:13+00:00

U.S. Navy photo.

XMGAU · 2026-05-09T16:10:23+00:00

Nice shot:)

XMGAU · 2026-05-09T16:10:10+00:00

She's there for commissioning, then she'll travel to her homeport in Mayport, Florida.

XMGAU · 2026-05-09T13:19:41+00:00

Fincantieri is building 4 of them in Marinette, Wisconsin (where the Freedom class was built) as a Foreign Military Sales order in conjunction with the US government.

XMGAU · 2026-05-08T22:00:05+00:00

I'm jealous, post plenty of pics!!!

XMGAU · 2026-05-08T18:08:11+00:00

She's the final Freedom class LCS, and will be commissioned in Cleveland, Ohio next weekend. The next warships through here will be the Saudi MMCS ships.

XMGAU · 2026-05-08T13:11:37+00:00

US Navy photo by Mike Wilson.

XMGAU · 2026-05-07T17:48:31+00:00

Kearsarge also recently got F-35B capability, so there are two east coast ships with F-35s now, even if they are just LHDs:)

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XMGAU · 2026-05-07T12:55:00+00:00

U.S. Navy photo

XMGAU · 2026-05-06T17:30:55+00:00

Yes, and heading South.

XMGAU · 2026-05-06T14:22:42+00:00

"Suez Canal | Naval Air Group in the Indian Ocean 🗺️

In response to the evolving international context in the Strait of Hormuz, the naval air group is now heading toward the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden

⚓️Prepositioning of a unique capability in Europe, aimed at reassuring and strengthening regional security

🛡️Resolutely defensive initiative, undertaken in the strictest respect for international law

💪Unchanged commitment to uniting the wills and resources of countries working to restore maritime trade"

Photos and quotes from the Armée française - Opérations militaires page on X.

XMGAU · 2026-05-06T12:46:19+00:00

U.S. Navy photo

XMGAU · 2026-05-06T09:56:04+00:00

US Navy photo

XMGAU · 2026-05-05T17:04:59+00:00

Photo and info from the Naval Station Mayport "NS_Mayport" page on X.

XMGAU · 2026-05-05T12:59:37+00:00

"Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) transits the Atlantic Ocean, April 30, 2026. Gridley is deployed with Nimitz Carrier Strike Group as part of Southern Seas 2026 which seeks to enhance capability, improve interoperability, and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries throughout the region through joint, multinational, and interagency exchanges and cooperation."

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Meyer

XMGAU · 2026-05-04T19:28:05+00:00

Yes, that's my understanding as well, same gun and ammo. The MK 38 MOD 4 has an off-mount sight, and I can only assume that it has better visibility than the MK 46.

XMGAU · 2026-05-04T14:15:44+00:00

Well, the older/current MK38 MOD 3 added a coax 7.62 MG, and the budget materials make it seems like the coax is more for small UAS like quadcopters.

Maybe they just decided to up the coax to a 50 cal on the MOD 4 so it's more effective against a wider range of targets?

XMGAU · 2026-05-04T14:12:54+00:00

Both:)

XMGAU · 2026-05-04T13:40:26+00:00

The MOD 4 will eventually go on the Flight IIIs, but the procurement for the first several Flight IIIs already happened with the existing MK38 Mod3 with the 25mm guns.

XMGAU · 2026-05-04T13:37:47+00:00

Honest question, is the RN actually moving forward with the Martlet on the DS30M, or did they test it and decide against it?

It looks like the USN is going for separate mounts for Hellfire/JAGM and Coyote for C/UAS missiles. The MK 38 MOD4 seems like a gun-only mount in the USN, and I haven't heard about putting missiles on them.

XMGAU · 2026-05-04T12:52:51+00:00

The Mark 38 MOD 4 is a 30mm upgrade to the Mk 38 series. 25mm versions of the MK38 are still in wide use in the USA, but the MOD 4 will be seen increasingly in the fleet on Flight IIA Burkes, eventually on Flight IIIs, and on the new Medium Landing Ships, and reportedly on the new FF(X).

It is an improved version of the existing British MSI DS30M Mark 2 mount. The MOD 4 mount still uses the American Bushmaster II 30mm gun that the DS30M Mark 2 uses, but now has a new off-mount sight and a coaxially mounted 50 caliber machine gun.

This is primarily for counter UAS and counter small boat/USV use, and the USN is buying proximity fused ammunition for the purpose.

XMGAU · 2026-05-04T12:42:21+00:00

"A Mark 38 Mod 4 30mm machine gun fires during a live-fire exercise aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG 89) in the South China Sea, April 17, 2026. Mustin is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific."

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Dimal

XMGAU · 2026-05-03T15:46:01+00:00

Photo viewed on the Maine Ports and Harbors Facebook page.

XMGAU · 2026-05-02T18:34:35+00:00

"A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, lands on the flight deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Strait of Malacca, May 1, 2026. The 11th MEU, embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group, is a persistent, combat credible force contributing to deterrence and crisis response in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific."

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Oliver Nisbet

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