Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Feature - 1/350 DKM Bismark with WEM PE Set
MSW Crew member Mike Taylor sends us his build story of the 1/350 DKM Bismark with WEM PE Set.
First Archer-Class Submarine Returns to Singapore
Source: Singapore Ministry of Defence
The Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN's) first Archer-class submarine, RSS Archer, arrived at Changi Naval Base (CNB) from Sweden earlier today. Chief of Navy, Rear-Admiral Ng Chee Peng, and other senior naval officers were present at CNB to witness its return.
Launched in Karlskrona, Sweden on 16 Jun 2009, RSS Archer is one of two ex-Royal Swedish Navy Vaastergotland-class submarines acquired by Singapore in 2005. RSS Archer has been comprehensively upgraded, refurbished and tropicalised to ensure its suitability for operations in local conditions. Crew members of RSS Archer have also undergone extensive training in Sweden since 2007 to acquire the skillsets needed to operate and maintain the submarine.
RSS Archer will join 171 Squadron, under the RSN's Fleet Command, to enhance the RSN's capability to secure the seaward defence of Singapore and protect our vital sea lines of communication.
nsitu ScanEagle Protects Civilians, Supports Operation Unified Protector
Source: Insitu, Inc.
BINGEN, Wash. --- Insitu Inc. announced today that its ScanEagle unmanned aircraft system (UAS) assisted U.S. and NATO Forces in their mission to protect civilians and reduce the flow of arms to Libya.
During a 72-hour counter-terrorism surge supporting Operation Unified Protector (OUP), the ScanEagle UAS was operated organically aboard USS Mahan (DDG 72) to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) support. In strong winds, ScanEagle performed cooperatively with a host of U.S. and NATO participating forces.
"What happened over that period of time, no one expected," said ScanEagle Detachment Officer in Charge Lt. Nick Townsend. "ScanEagle was locating contacts of interest that no one else could find. After the dust settled, ScanEagle was credited with locating a host of contacts of interest due to its ability to capture superior image quality and to operate covertly at relatively low altitudes."
About a month earlier, a highly experienced team from Insitu operating aboard USS Mahan analyzed how ScanEagle was being used and how it might be operated more effectively. Based on the analysis, the team notified the command that if the opportunity arose, it was certain the ScanEagle UAS could successfully perform a variety of mission support tasks.
While the USS Mahan team waited to hear back from command about additional tasking orders, it continued to operate ScanEagle, performing routine ISR missions.
When the call came to support OUP, the USS Mahan team and ScanEagle were ready. Once on station, the team made an immediate impact, locating and classifying high value contacts of interest.
Imagery was delivered by secure networked channels from the ship to the task force through the Secure Video Injection system provided by Insitu parent The Boeing Company. This gave decision makers the rapid, near real-time video needed to make quick, tactical decisions.
Later coordinating with an AWACS team, the USS Mahan ScanEagle team drew on ScanEagle's 24-hour endurance to support additional phases of the mission, including battle damage assessment: ScanEagle delivered real-time, full-color imagery that was used to improve overall battlefield awareness and mission effectiveness. Townsend described ScanEagle as providing "shockingly effective combat support."
The three-day tasking demonstrated how easily and effectively ScanEagle can be integrated into highly complex operations. The USS Mahan team demonstrated the ability to employ ScanEagle to obtain precise imagery rapidly for actionable intelligence. "They (operational commanders) say 'put the camera here' and we put the camera there without going through layers of complex coordination. We get essential information directly to the decision makers fast," said Insitu ScanEagle Site Lead Samuel Young.
PigBoats.com
Today’s website is PigBoats.com. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1843 - Steam frigate Missouri arrives at Gibralter completing first trans-Atlantic crossing by a U.S. steam-powered ship.
1942 - Five Navy nurses who became POWs on Guam are repatriated.
1951 - Twenty-three fighters from USS Essex (CV 9) escort Air Force heavy bombers attacking Najin, Korea, since target was beyond range of land-based fighters.
Diorama Idea of the Day
USS S-24 in heavy seas. Location unknown, circa 1920's. To see the original high resolution photo, click here.
Gator
