Ahoy mates and welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Let’s see what going on today.
On Display ~ IJN Kaiten, Type I Human Torpedo
Ahoy, ye maties!
MSW crew mate Pete Vill (PeteV) shares a batch of photos of one of his latest builds, IJN Kaiten, "human torpedo", in this MSW "On Display" feature! Join us in taking a look at this fine model and don’t forget to leave a comment.
IJN Kaiten
MSW Artist Profile ~ Al Ross II
Join Mark Smith (Gunny) in a one-on-one with MSW crew-mate and ship modeling artist, Dr. Al Ross, in this months MSW Artist Profile!
MSW Artist Profile
Waveline 1:700 Resin IJN Subs
Are you a sub enthusiast? Waveline has released a set of 1/700 IJN Submarines HA-101 and HA-201 Submarines. These WW2 Japanese coastal submarines are packaged four to a set - 1 each waterline HA-101 and HA-201, and 1 each full-hull HA-101 and HA-201. They are available from Pacific Front Hobbies but the stock is VERY limited. Retail cost is $25.00.
Flyhawk Essex Class Photo Etch Set
Flyhawk has announced the latest release of their fine photo etch upgrade sets. The WWII Essex Class Detail Set is available now. No price is available
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1777 - American explosive device made by David Bushnell explodes near British vessel off New London, Conn.
1846 - Joint expedition led by Cmdr. Robert Stockton seizes Los Angeles, Calif.
1870 - Armed tug Palos becomes first U.S. Navy ship to transit Suez Canal.
BAMS UAS Program Resumes
The U.S. Navy announced today that it will resume execution of the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Aircraft System (BAMS UAS) program following a decision by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to deny a contract award protest.
On April 22, 2008 the Department of the Navy awarded a $1.16 billion system development and demonstration contract to Northrop Grumman Corp. which was subsequently protested by Lockheed Martin. The GAO issued its decision to deny the protest on Aug. 8.
“The decision underscores that the source selection competition for the system development and demonstration contract followed a rigorous process that adhered to stringent Federal Acquisition Regulation and Naval Air System Command (NAVAIR) processes and documentation requirements. It confirms that we have identified Northrop’s RQ-4N Global Hawk as the best-value platform for the BAMS UAS,” said Capt. Bob Dishman, program manager of NAVAIR’s Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program (PMA-262) which oversees the BAMS UAS efforts.
“The BAMS UAS team is now at work to fulfill the maritime warfighters’ requirements for continuous battle-space awareness. We are in the process of addressing program impacts as a result of the protest to ensure the BAMS UAS is delivered as expeditiously as possible to the Fleet,” Dishman said.
The BAMS UAS is to be an integral part of the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force. As an adjunct to the P-8A, the BAMS UAS will provide persistent maritime and littoral intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to join forces and Fleet commanders worldwide. This capability will enhance maritime domain awareness and improve force protection capabilities for the Fleet and the nation.
Northrop Grumman Completes First Littoral Combat Ship System Installation
As part of a U.S. Navy-led team, Northrop Grumman Corporation helped complete the successful installation of the Mission Package computing environment into the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) the USS Freedom in June.
The mission packages, the first of which was delivered by the Navy last year and the second of which was delivered in July, enable each LCS to be reconfigured for different missions within a matter of days.
"The mission package program is moving ahead on track," said Bob Klein, vice president and Northrop Grumman's Maritime and Tactical Systems integrated product team leader. "The Navy has worked hard to ensure that these packages meet performance and cost criteria and are ready for the warfighter. The installation of this first computing environment is another milestone in that process."
Northrop Grumman employees installed and tested the computing environment itself, which comprises four racks of processing hardware and the classified and operational software that runs the package. A system check indicated that the computing environment was operating properly and that communication with the ship's infrastructure was complete.
The Mission Package Program is led by Capt. Mike Good, the program executive officer for LMW PMS-420. Northrop Grumman serves as the Navy's mission package integrator. As such, the company assists the Navy and ensures that all systems within the three mission packages now being produced -- for mine, surface and antisubmarine warfare -- are fully integrated within the packages, with the ship and with the larger Navy global information grid.
The Navy is building the first six packages -- two each for mine, surface and antisubmarine warfare. The largest package is for mine warfare and has systems such as Northrop Grumman's Airborne Laser Mine Detection System and First Scout unmanned vehicle among its many mine countermeasures tools. The systems are supported by eight TEU ISO standard (20 feet long by eight feet wide by eight feet tall) shipping-type containers.
"The Navy's mission packages will give the fleet the latest weaponry to detect and destroy threats, no matter whether they be on or below the surface of the sea," Klein said. "However, one aspect of the mission packages that's little appreciated is the huge cost savings the mission package concept delivers to the taxpayer. When sailors swap packages on a ship they have essentially built a new ship.
"On top of that, the modularity, automation and use of unmanned vehicles reduce the number of sailors required and, thereby, cost. Each mission package needs only 15 personnel and 23 aviation detachment personnel for the helicopters," said Klein.
Photo of the Day
The ships of the Nassau Strike Group (NASSG) transit westward in the Atlantic Ocean as they wrap-up their deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.
Gator
