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




Bluejacket.com

Today’s website is Bluejacket.com. This is a great reference site on the US Navy, USMC and USCG. Enjoy.
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This Day in U.S. Naval History

1826 - Capt. Thomas Catesby Jones of USS Peacock and King Kamehameha negotiate first treaty between Hawaii and a foreign power.
1910 - Lt. Theodore G. Ellyson becomes the first Naval officer sent to flight training.
1941 - The gallant defenders of Wake Island (Sailors, Marines, volunteer civilian contractors, and Army/Air Force radio detachment) surrender.


L-3 Delivers Multi-INT Configured EP-3E to U.S. Navy in Support of Operational Surge
Source: L-3 Communications
Source - L-3 Communications

NEW YORK --- L-3 Communications announced today that its Integrated Systems Group has delivered the first of eight EP-3E aircraft configured with new multiple-intelligence (multi-INT) capabilities to the U.S. Navy. Additional aircraft will be delivered by the end of 2008.

System integration, installation and testing on the re-configured aircraft was performed in less than three months, with each aircraft requiring tens of thousands of hours of modification. L-3’s quick-reaction conversion is part of the Navy’s response to increase operational capability in support of the Global War on Terror. The “surge configuration” adds substantial multi-INT subsystem capabilities to the EP-3E aircraft, which performs intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in support of maritime and ground forces deployed worldwide. The work was performed at L-3’s integration center in Waco, Texas.

“Our work in rapidly designing and fielding the surge EP-3E adds enhancements to the platform, taking it from a traditional SIGINT asset to a true multi-INT airborne system that will be much more effective in theater today,” said Mike Holmes, vice president of Federal Programs for L-3 Integrated Systems.

L-3 engineers are currently working to integrate additional capabilities that will be fielded in a second round of surge modifications. The newly configured multi-INT EP-3E aircraft will be based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island.


L-3 Integrated Systems (L-3 IS) develops and integrates defense and commercial technology for U.S. and allied customers worldwide. Headquartered in New York City, L-3 employs over 64,000 people worldwide and is a prime system contractor in aircraft modernization and maintenance, C3ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems and government services. L-3 is also a leading provider of high technology products, subsystems and systems. The company reported 2007 sales of $14 billion.


Peruvian Navy Carries Out Record Breaking Launch of MBDA Otomat Anti-Ship Missile
Source: MBDA

On 8th December the Peruvian Navy successfully launched an Otomat missile from the Aguirre frigate, hitting a target at a range in excess of 150 kilometers. The launch, which confirmed the performance and reliability of the Otomat missile, was carried out at the Cruz de Hueso firing test range. The Peruvian Minister of Defence, Antero Flores-Araoz, was present at the launch expressed his satisfaction with the missile and the Navy’s performance.

The Otomat firing formed part of the “Angamos” exercise and was intended to be particularly challenging for the Peruvian Navy. The challenge lay in the fact that it was the first launch carried out at such a distance and represented an absolute record for a South American Navy. The Otomat missile carried out its mission successfully, hitting the target as intended by the launch plan.

In addition to the Peruvian Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Josè Aste Daffòs, and the Army Chief of Staff, General Otto Guibovich Arteaga, were also present along with the Navy Staff. They all congratulated MBDA staff on the support they provided to the missile launch.

Fabrizio Giulianini, Managing Director of MBDA Italy and MBDA Executive Group Director Sales & Business Development stated: “With this launch in South America, the Otomat is once again at the top of its category in the anti-ship missile sector, offering interesting sales opportunities in those countries that already have this weapon system and in those that would like to have such a reliable system with proven operating capabilities in their weapon inventory”.

Over 1,000 Otomat missiles have been sold to several Navies around the world. Its configuration with a turbo jet engine and its long range allow the missile to go over the radar horizon and make the Otomat the ideal anti-ship system. Furthermore, MBDA has just completed a programme which has resulted in the total digitalization of the missile. This will allow the missile to face the operating requirements of the near future in a “blue and brown waters” context as well as adding a land attack capability.

MBDA has completely updated the missile and provided it with a digital standard. This involves all the on- board electronics as well as the mission management system which will now allow multiple three-dimensional way points to be included. As a result of this development work, the new standard, the Otomat MK2 Block IV, will be in the product range for the next twenty years.


With industrial facilities in four European countries and within the USA, MBDA has an annual turnover of more than EUR 3 billion and an order book of more than EUR 13 billion. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world, MBDA is a world leader in missiles and missile systems.

MBDA is the only group capable of designing and producing missiles and missile systems that correspond to the full range of current and future operational needs of the three armed forces (land, sea and air). In total, the group offers a range of 45 missile systems and countermeasures products already in operational service and more than 15 others currently in development.




US Navy Successfully Completes F-5N Adversary Flight Test with New Radar/Navigation Display Unit from Interface Displays & Controls
Source: Interface Displays & Controls, Inc.

OCEANSIDE, Calif. --- Interface Displays & Controls, Inc. (Interface), commenced production deliveries of its newly developed Radar/Navigation Control Display Unit (CDU) to the US Navy F-5N Program. Interface’s touch-screen color AMLCD CDU will act as the radar target information display, as well as the bus controller, for Northrop Grumman’s LN-260 fiber optic gyro inertial navigation (INU) system.

The CDU and INU utilize new technology that significantly improves performance and reliability to increase F-5N aircraft mission availability, while considerably reducing maintenance costs.

“This important milestone recognizes Interface as a leader in cockpit control and display technology, and marks our continued support of the Department of Defense (DoD) and international weapons systems,” said Bill Lang, President & CEO of Interface.

“The US Navy stated that this new maintenance cost-avoidance program will save an estimated $20 million dollars over the life of the F-5N program. Interface’s newly designed radar/CDU will guarantee the F-5N Adversary program seamless functionality, while increasing mission training performance and situation-awareness safety. Our selection by the US Navy broadens Interface’s experience with repair-cost avoidance, reliability, and performance improvements to legacy aircraft avionics’ systems,” added Brent Barker, VP of Sales & Marketing.


Interface has been engineering and manufacturing innovative and reliable products for the military aviation industry for more than thirty years. The company specializes in the design and manufacturing of cockpit controls, display devices, data transfer systems, rugged computing devices, and keyboards for both military and commercial aircraft. All products are available with Night Vision (NVIS) compatible lighting and are useable in applications for aviation, marine, search & rescue, police, surveillance & security, as well as land vehicles and weapon support systems.


Photo of the Day



Hula dancers perform as family and friends welcome the Pearl Harbor-based guided missile frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57) during the ship's return to Naval Station Pearl Harbor after supporting the Pacific Fleet's Mid-Pacific Surface Combatant Operational Employment.

Gator