Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Alert - Community Build Session 7
Ahoy mates! Mark your calendar and get your updates posted for the Community Build Session 7. Remember, this month it falls on New Years Eve!
On Display - USS John S. McCain DL-3 (1960-1963)
Crew-mate Carl Musselman (carlomaha) shares a fine gallery of images of his Mitscher Class Destroyer, have a look at USS John S. McCain DL-3 (1960-1963), in this "On Display" feature!
On Display
Course to Midway - Turning Point in the Pacific
Today’s website is the Course to Midway - Turning Point in the Pacific. This site chronicles part of the campaign in the Pacific during World War II, specifically highlighting the events leading up to and including the Battle of Midway. Enjoy.
Website
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1941 - Admiral Ernest J. King assumes duty as Commander in Chief, United States Fleet, CINCUS. The name was changed later.
1959 - Commissioning of first fleet ballistic missile submarine, USS George Washington (SSB(N)-598), at Groton, CT.
Navy Awards $14 Billion Contract for Eight Virginia-Class Submarines
Source: Northrop Grumman
GROTON, Conn. --- The U.S. Navy today reaffirmed the strategic need for a robust, adaptable submarine force by awarding General Dynamics Electric Boat a contract valued at $14 billion for the construction of eight Virginia-class submarines. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics.
The multi-year contract allows Electric Boat and its teammate, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, to proceed with the construction of one ship per year in 2009 and 2010, and two ships per year from 2011 through 2013. The eighth ship to be procured under this contract is scheduled for delivery in 2019.
The Virginia-class submarine is the first U.S. Navy warship designed from the keel up for the full range of mission requirements in the post-Cold War era, including anti-submarine and surface ship warfare; delivering special operation forces; strike; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare.
The contract immediately provides $2.4 billion to fund construction of SSN-784, which has been named the "North Dakota;" advanced procurement for SSN-785; funding to purchase materials, parts and components for multiple ships at one time (SSN-785 through SSN-791, as yet unnamed), achieving significant economies of scale; and funding for additional cost-reduction design changes (known as Design For Affordability).
"This award is significant for our country, the U.S. Navy, our company and the entire submarine industrial base," said Electric Boat President John P. Casey. "As we attain the production rate of two submarines per year, we will have the stability required to further increase production efficiencies. This will benefit the U.S. taxpayer, while providing the Navy a class of nuclear submarines with the capabilities required to retain our nation's undersea superiority well into the 21st century."
"In addition, at a time when the country has a challenging economic outlook, this contract will provide good jobs not just in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Virginia, but in thousands of communities across the country as our vendors gear up for increased production on the Virginia class," Casey said.
"Today's contract award is an exciting moment for the entire team," said Matt Mulherin, sector vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding's Newport News, Va. shipyard. "It brings stability to the submarine program, to our work force and to the shipbuilding supplier industrial base for the next decade. This achievement is also a result of our shipbuilders', suppliers' and Navy partners' successful efforts to reduce cost, accelerate schedules and improve construction processes of the previous Virginia-class boats."
Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding already have delivered five Virginia-class submarines to the Navy: USS Virginia (SSN-774), USS Texas (SSN-775), USS Hawaii (SSN-776), USS North Carolina (SSN-777) and USS New Hampshire (SSN-778). Five additional submarines are under construction.
The contract comes on the heels of the shipbuilding team's delivery of USS New Hampshire in August eight months ahead of schedule and more than $60 million under target cost, performance that demonstrates the commitment to reduce the cost and shrink construction schedules during the term of the contract.
Virginia-class submarines displace 7,800 tons, with a hull length of 377 feet and a diameter of 34 feet. They are capable of speeds in excess of 25 knots and can dive to a depth greater than 800 feet, while carrying Mark 48 advanced capability torpedoes, Tomahawk land attack missiles and unmanned underwater vehicles.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 91,200 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies.
Warship Trials Not Daunting
Source: UK Ministry of Defence
The second of the Royal Navy's new powerful Type 45 Destroyers, HMS Dauntless, has returned to her home on the Clyde after completing her first set of sea trials with great success.
During the four week period the 7,350 tonne vessel was put through her paces during blustery and wintry conditions, which provided a rigorous environment for testing her Power & Propulsion and Combat System.
The sea trials, conducted by prime contractor BVT, together with MOD, Royal Navy and other industry partners have allowed her to demonstrate her speed and manoeuvrability, performing so well that the crew was also able to complete additional Combat System trials.
Commenting on the ship's return, the MOD's Type 45 Programme Director, David Twitchin, said:
"The successful completion of HMS Dauntless' first set of Sea Trials ends 2008 with a particularly hectic period of activity for the Type 45 programme on the Clyde. In the last four months the first Type 45, HMS Daring, has completed her final set of Industry-led Sea Trials and has been Accepted off Contract.
"The fourth Type 45, HMS Dragon, has been launched, and now HMS Dauntless has completed a very successful set of initial Sea Trials. This year has witnessed the Joint Industry/MOD team delivering unprecedented success on a major warship programme.
"This is down to the hard work, dedication and innovation of the Joint MOD, RN and Industry team closely working together at all levels to overcome problems and achieve a common goal."
BVT's Type 45 programme director, Angus Holt added: "The Type 45 programme has already achieved one major milestone this week, but to achieve another in less than 48 hours is unprecedented.
"This is a great achievement and I am delighted that HMS Dauntless' trials have been such a great success.
"The team work between BVT, MOD, Royal Navy and sub-contractors has ensured that despite the many challenges set, she has returned to Scotstoun on schedule, with all trials achieved."
HMS Dauntless is in very good shape and ready to commence preparations for her second set of Sea Trials, due in July 2009, which will focus on Combat System testing and Acceptance activity.
Weight-Optimized F-35 Test Fleet Adds Conventional Takeoff and Landing Variant
Source: Lockheed Martin
FORT WORTH, Texas --- Lockheed Martin rolled out the first weight-optimized conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant of the F-35 Lightning II fighter on Dec. 19. The new F-35A, called AF-1, joins three weight-optimized F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing variants currently undergoing testing. The aircraft are structurally identical to the F-35s that will be delivered to armed services beginning in 2010.
"The Lightning II CTOL aircraft will be, by far, the most widely employed F-35 variant in the world, with more than 1,700 to be used by the U.S. Air Force alone," said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and F-35 program general manager. "The F-35A we delivered is, at its core, the same aircraft that will enter operational service with the Air Force and international customers."
The first F-35A, known as AA-1, has completed 69 flights, and has a production-representative external shape and internal systems. Unlike AF-1 and the other F-35 test aircraft, AA-1's internal structure was designed before a 2004 weight-savings program resulted in structural revisions to all three F-35 variants.
"AF-1 incorporates many evolutionary improvements and updates that have resulted from our AA-1 flight test program over the last two years," said Tom Burbage, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and general manager of F-35 Program Integration.
AF-1 is the first F-35 to have employed the moving assembly line at its full-rate production speed of 50 inches (127 millimeters) per hour. Workers tested the system by installing the vertical tails as the line moved at maximum speed. The moving assembly line, designed to improve production quality and speed, is the first ever for a modern fighter. AF-1 becomes the first aircraft since World War II to use a moving assembly line at Lockheed Martin’s (formerly Consolidated Vultee, Convair and General Dynamics) Fort Worth factory.
F-35 Lightning II systems and parts are built by industries worldwide. Six F-35s are now complete, 17 are in assembly – including the first Low Rate Initial Production aircraft – and F-35 test aircraft have completed 83 flights.
Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.
Three F-35 variants derived from a common design, developed together and using the same sustainment infrastructure worldwide will replace at least 13 types of aircraft for 11 nations initially, making the Lightning II the most cost-effective fighter program in history.
Photo of the Day
An E/A-6B Prowler lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).
Gator
