Ahoy mates and welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Let’s see what going on today.
2008 IPMS/USA National Convention
The IPMS/USA Nationals has wrapped up. Our own Mark “Gunny” Smith will be giving us a comprehensive report very soon. Keith Bender's USS Fitch, a 1/96th scratch built DD took best ship and Best of Show. Our very own Kenny Loup (gator) received a Premier Award in Carriers, Battleships, Cruisers, and Battlecruisers 1/401 and smaller #1 for his HIJMS Kongo. The premier award is awarded to the best kit by a modeler who has never placed in a National in that category.
New Photo Etch from Tom’s Modelworks
For all those fans of the flattops, Tom’s Modelworks has released a 1/350 US Carrier Catwalks. This set provides perforated carrier catwalks with rails attached and retails for $20.00.
New LionRoar Detail Set
LionRoar Model Arts has announced the latest release of their fine photo etch upgrade sets. The WWII IJN Destroyer Kagero Detail Set is designed to be used with Aoshima’s 1/700 HIJMS Kagero.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1812 - USS Constitution captures and destroys brig Adeona.
1918 - Secretary of the Navy approves acceptance of women as yeoman in U.S. Navy.
1942 - USS Cleveland (CL 55) demonstrates effectiveness of radio-proximity fuze (VT-fuze) against aircraft by successfully destroying three drones with proximity bursts fired by her five-inch guns.
1944 - Lt. Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., USNR, the older brother of John F. Kennedy, was killed with his co-pilot in a mid-air explosion after taking off from England in a PB-4Y from Special Attack Unit One (SAU-1). Following manual takeoff, they were supposed to parachute out over the English Channel while the radio-controlled explosive filled drone proceeded to attack a German V-2 missile-launching site. Possible causes include faulty wiring or FM signals from a nearby transmitter.
1957 - In first test of Automatic Carrier Landing System, Lt. Cmdr. Don Walker is landed on USS Antietam (CV 36).
1958 - USS Nautilus (SSN 571) arrives at Portland, England, completing first submerged under ice cruise from Pacific to Atlantic oceans.
Virginia-Class Boats Sailing Into Action
Out of the nine fast-attack boats underway in the Atlantic Ocean, four of them are Virginia-class submarines.
USS Virginia (SSN 774), USS Texas (SSN 775), USS North Carolina (SSN 777) and Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New Hampshire (SSN 778) are all currently conducting exercises and tests off the Atlantic coast.
USS Hawaii (SSN 776), the first Virginia-class boat to deploy, is currently at General Dynamics Electric Boat conducting a post-shakedown availability, an industrial activity availability assigned to correct deficiencies found during the shakedown cruise or to accomplish other authorized improvements.
"Having three of the four operational Virginia-class boats and PCU New Hampshire at sea is a reflection of the hard work, dedication and team work that is our submarine force," said Capt. Robert Clark, Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 4 commodore. "This will become a common occurrence in the future, but today it's the crowning achievement of a huge cast of people who made it possible."
SUBRON 4 has become known as the "Virginia-class Center of Excellence." They are the parent squadron to every Virginia-class boats' transition to become an operational fleet unit.
"It's a real feather in the cap of the submarine force to be able to take a new design from concept through real employment in such a short time and in such an efficient and effective manner," said Clark.
Virginia-class attack submarines provide the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. They will have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that will enable them to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.
Boeing Awarded $153 Million U.S. Navy Contract for Countermine System
The Boeing Company has been awarded a $153 million U.S. Navy contract to design and develop the Countermine System (CMS) for the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Panama City, Fla. The CMS, part of the Navy's effort to field a comprehensive Assault Breaching System, will help minimize mine-related combat losses during amphibious landings.
"The CMS will neutralize mines in the beach and surf zone in advance of an amphibious assault by the Marines," said Keith Burns, Boeing CMS acting program manager. "This capability will greatly enhance the sea service's ability to project power and successfully complete a Ship-to-Objective maneuver."
The unique CMS warhead uses the combat-proven Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance set to accurately position the weapon above the mines. The warhead is designed to dispense its payload of more than 4,000 neutralizer "darts" at a predetermined altitude, clearing the way for safe beach landings. U.S. Air Force strategic bombers will use the CMS to clear assault lanes while Navy tactical fighters perform localized mine neutralization.
The technology, developed in conjunction with the Office of Naval Research's Mine Obstacle Defeat System program, has allowed the Navy to proceed with the CMS System Design and Development phase. The Navy plans to field the system in 2016.
The Boeing-led team includes General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems for mine neutralizer testing, alternate neutralizer design and the modular payload system; Lockheed Martin for the baseline explosive neutralizer; and Nammo-Talley Defense Systems for the dispenser system.
Photo of the Day
An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, flown by aircrew assigned to Naval Rotary Wing Two One (HX-21), prepares to land aboard Sea Fighter (FSF-1) during flight deck certification.
As our final news story of the day, here is an update on our youngest crew mate, Ian Loup. Ian is doing well and could be released today. The doctor has been very pleased with his progress and feels that he is well enough to go home.
Gator
