Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.



Feature - USS-Hughes, DD-410, circa 1942

MSW Crew member Bob Cicconi sends us an image gallery of his latest build, Niko models USS-Hughes, DD-410, circa 1942.




Austal Awarded Cape Class Patrol Boat Contract
Source: Austal

At a ceremony held on board Austal’s next generation 102 metre trimaran this morning, Austal was awarded a contract for the design, construction and through-life support of eight new patrol boats for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

This contract is Austal’s second significant contract with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, having designed and constructed Customs’ current fleet of eight Bay Class vessels, which have been in operation for over 10 years.

Austal will build the fleet of Cape Class Patrol Boats at its shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia. Construction of the first vessel is expected to commence in February 2012, with all eight due to be delivered between March 2013 and August 2015.

The In-Service Support contract extends for a minimum period of eight years and encompasses a full range of intermediate and depot level maintenance activities. Further options can be exercised by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service for In-Service Support for the life of the Cape Class Patrol Boat Fleet.

The eight 57.8m Cape Class Patrol Boats will play a significant role in protecting Australia’s borders from multiple maritime threats, and have been designed to have greater range, endurance and flexibility, as well as enhanced capability to operate in more severe sea conditions than the current Customs’ fleet.

Austal Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Bellamy, commented that Austal is proud to have been selected to work with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service once again, and that the contract is strategically important for the Western Australian company.

“The Cape Class contract cements Austal’s position as the sole provider of Australia’s Border Protection Command patrol vessels, and as a leading supplier of Australia’s front line border security and surveillance capabilities. It also provides us with the opportunity to continue to work with our long standing partner, DMS Maritime, to provide in-service support for the new Cape Class fleet.”

“This contract is significant for Austal in that it is a key first step in the repositioning of our Henderson facilities as a defence focused operation, and reaffirms our position as an emerging global defence prime contractor.”

“Having already designed and built the Royal Australian Navy’s Armidale Class Patrol Boats, today we are the prime contractor for these new Customs vessels as well as for two multi-ship US Navy programs; the Littoral Combat Ships and Joint High Speed Vessels.”

“The Cape Class contract will also aid Austal in sustaining our Henderson workforce,” concluded Mr Bellamy.


China's First Aircraft Carrier Completes Initial Sea Trials
Source: Voice of America news

Chinese news media say the country's first aircraft carrier has returned to the northeastern port of Dalian after completing its initial sea trials.

The Shanghai Daily reports that the carrier was towed back into the shipyard Sunday morning amid firecracker blasts and cheers. The report says that some navy personnel were seen walking on the deck, but that all the weapons were covered.

This refitted former Soviet vessel that China bought from Ukraine in 1998 began its inaugural sea trials last Wednesday, at a time of increased regional tensions in the South and East China Seas.

The United States has expressed concern about Beijing's lack of transparency regarding the carrier.

But Chinese officials have responded that the vessel is not a threat to anyone and that its primary purpose is scientific research and training. They also have pointed out that China is the only one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council without an operational aircraft carrier.

The United States has sent two of its carriers to the region. The George Washington arrived Saturday in international waters off the coast of Vietnam and has invited Vietnamese military and government officials to visit the 333-meter Nimitz-class vessel. The Japan-based vessel is said to be on a goodwill tour of Asia-Pacific nations.

The USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier began a four-day visit to Hong Kong Friday. It offers visiting tours to the general public.

Taiwan responded to China's aircraft carrier trials by exhibiting a supersonic missile, which it called the "aircraft carrier killer." The Hsuing Feng-3 was displayed against a huge photo of a burning aircraft carrier that bears a striking resemblance to China's carrier.

The French News Agency quoted legislator Lin Yu-fang as saying that Taiwan is developing a new mobile version of the missile, which will have a longer range and carry a heavier warhead.




HMS Warspite

Today’s website is HMS Warspite. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1912 - Birthday of the Navy Dental Corps.
1945 - First surrender of Japanese garrison at end of World War II; USS Levy (DE 162) receives surrender of Mille Atoll in Marshall Islands.
1980 - USS Passumpsic (AO 107) rescues 28 Vietnamese refugees.


Diorama Idea of the Day



Photograph showing No, 7 6-inch gun, starboard, on forecastle deck, of the HMS Warspite after the Battle of Jutland. To see the original high resolution photo, click here.

Gator