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



Community Build Session 5
Just a friendly reminder, Session 5 of our "MSW Community Build" is nearing the end, make sure that you have your monthly progress photos uploaded and posted in your "BLOG" by 11/1/08, which will then close this session of the event!




This Day in U.S. Naval History

1775 - Congress authorizes four vessels for the defense of the United Colonies.
1799 - William Balch becomes the Navy's first commissioned chaplain.
1990 - Two Sailors are killed when a steam line ruptures in the boiler room of USS Iwo Jima (LPH 2) in the Persian Gulf.


Cobham Secures US$37M Contract for US Navy EW Transmitters

Cobham plc has received a US$37 million contract to produce an additional 51 Low Band Transmitter/Antenna Groups (LBT/AG) and spare parts for the U.S. Navy to be manufactured at the Cobham Defence Systems facility in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, and brings the total number of ship sets ordered to 120, at a value of approximately $185 million.

The LBT system is designed to protect strike aircraft, ships, and ground troops by disrupting enemy radar and communications signals. It is currently being employed on U.S. Navy and Marine Corps EA-6B aircraft, and will soon transition to the Navy’s newest Airborne Electronic Attack platform, the EA-18G Growler. LBT is currently deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Allan Cook, Cobham Chief Executive, said:

“This is our second contract award since first Full Rate Production was approved in July and brings the total value of equipment ordered to $185 million since low rate initial production started in 2006. The US Navy is now in a position to accelerate the deployment of this critical war fighting capability to the Fleet.”


Cobham Defence Systems Division designs and manufactures critical technology for network centric and intelligence operations, enabling information to be moved around and managed on the digital battlefield.

The Division specialises in RF and microwave front ends for radar, communication and electronic warfare systems, providing components, integrated assemblies and subsystems for military aircraft, ground vehicles, missiles, naval vessels, space launch vehicles and satellites.


Northrop Grumman Showcases State-of-the-Art Naval Capabilities at Euronaval 2008, Paris

Northrop Grumman Corporation will display a wide array of its state-of-the-art ship and marine navigation system capabilities at the international naval defence exhibition, Euronaval in Paris, France.

Euronaval will be held at the Paris-Le-Bourget exhibition centre from 27 to 31 October 2008 and includes the maritime sector and those industrial activities associated with state actions at sea.

Northrop Grumman will showcase its LPD San Antonio-class Amphibious Warfare and Transport ship and its International Patrol Frigate, a versatile and affordable warship based on the multi-mission National Security Cutter currently operated by the U.S. Coast Guard. The company's Sa'ar 5B Littoral Corvette, an enhanced version of the Northrop Grumman Sa'ar 5 corvette currently in service with the Israel Navy will also be on display as well as the advanced Enforcer-class Fast Patrol Craft design.

On display will be Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine's latest generation of navigation and ship control technology -- VisionMaster FT.

VisionMaster FT provides a highly integrated fully networked suite of marine radar and electronic charting systems designed to form the backbone of the modern ship's integrated bridge. In addition to the standard suite, Sperry Marine will be featuring its integrated platform management solution as part of their VisionMaster FT defence offering. The solution is similar to the system that is currently being installed on the UK Royal Navy's new Type 45 destroyers.

Navigation systems on show will include Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine's MK39 ring laser gyro navigation system and the MK27 fibre-optic attitude and heading reference system for naval vessels.

For more than a century, Northrop Grumman has been designing, building, overhauling and repairing a wide variety of ships for the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard and world navies. Today, Northrop Grumman builds more ships, in more ship types/classes, than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. In addition to being the nation's sole industrial designer, builder and refueller of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and one of only two companies capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines, Northrop Grumman is also the country's leading provider of major surface ships such as destroyers, cruisers, high endurance cutters, and amphibious assault ships for the U.S. and international navies.

In Europe, Northrop Grumman operates from locations in France, Germany, Italy and Norway, providing navigation, air traffic control and postal automation systems. In the UK, Northrop Grumman operates from primary locations in London, Fareham, Chester, Coventry, New Malden, Peterborough, RAF Waddington and Solihull and provides avionics, communications, electronic warfare systems, marine navigation systems, robotics, C4I solutions and mission planning, IT systems and software development.


Northrop Grumman Corporation is a global defence and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.


Photo of the Day



The Dutch submarine HNLMS Walrus (S802) prepares to moor at Naval Station Norfolk. Walrus concluded an exercise with U.S. Naval units and will enjoy a brief port and meet with U. S. Navy Sailors from local submarine commands.

Gator