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



On Display - HMS Repulse

Kostas Katseas (angeleyes) continues to amaze us with his fantastic, detailed builds, this time, it's Tamiya Models 1/700 scale HMS Repulse, in this "On Display" Gallery Feature!
On Display




The Cruiser Aurora

Today’s website is the The Cruiser Aurora. This webpage chronicles the history of the Protected cruiser involved in the Battle of Tsushima, symbol of the October Revolution. Enjoy.
Website




This Day in U.S. Naval History

1846 - General order on port and starboard is issued. Port replaces the term "larboard."
1944 - An amphibious force under Rear Adm. Harry W. Hill lands troops on Engebi Island, Eniwetok, in the South Pacific.
1955 - The first of 14 detonations takes place during the Operation Teapot nuclear test.


PEO LMW Offers Overview of Unmanned Vehicle Systems
Source: US Navy

WASHINGTON --- Officials from the Navy's Program Executive Office Littoral and Mine Warfare (PEO LMW) provided an overview of the PEO's maritime unmanned vehicle systems programs Feb. 5 in Washington.

The briefing was part of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Program Review 2009. Presenters included E. Anne Sandel, Program Executive Officer, LMW; Capt. Michael Good, Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Mission Packages program manager; Capt. Paul Siegrist, Unmanned Maritime Systems program manager; and Dr. Lora Weiss of Georgia Tech Research Institute.

"To meet future challenges in littoral and mine warfare, we must understand the operational capabilities resident in technologies such as unmanned vehicles," said Sandel. "Furthermore we must embrace advanced technology and its promise to pace the threat in this very complex world in which we live. Our single most important job at PEO LMW is to deliver state-of-the-art warfighting capability to the men and women who defend our freedom. Developing technology into operational capability like Unmanned Maritime Vehicles is one of the ways we accomplish our mission."

PEO LMW is developing numerous systems for operations in littoral waters for mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, explosive ordnance disposal and naval special warfare applications.

"In today's environment of diverse threats capable of impacting our maritime forces and infrastructure, unmanned systems will play increasingly important roles in enhancing combat capability with reduced risk to our forces and platforms," said Siegrist.

The Navy's new LCS Mission Modules in particular utilize a wide variety of unmanned systems for its mine warfare (MIW), surface warfare (SUW) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission packages. These systems include the vertical takeoff unmanned air vehicle, unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and remote multi-mission vehicle which are used to carry a variety of sensors, communications and weapons systems to accomplish their missions. These systems are part of the mission packages being fielded for LCS. The first LCS MIW Mission Package was delivered to the Navy in September 2007. The first SUW and ASW Mission Packages were delivered to the Navy in fiscal year 2008.

"We are using unmanned systems to get the Sailor out of the minefield and extend our reach against hostile targets over the horizon and out of the range of enemy weapons systems," said Good. "With these unmanned off-board systems, we will be able to detect and engage threats long before they get close enough to our ships to fire their weapons."

"Unmanned vehicles (UMVs) will continue to evolve and will play an integral part in tomorrow's battlespace. It is very exciting to see how these initiatives are using commercial off the shelf solutions, small business innovation, and open architecture principles to build dependable and affordable unmanned systems," stated Sandel. "It is evident that UMVs will be game changers in the battlespace in the next 10 - 20 years, and we in PEO LMW are committed to developing UMVs that will engage the enemy at range and ensure tactical advantages in the littoral warfighting environment."


More Suspected Pirates Apprehended in the Gulf of Aden
Source: US Navy

USS VELLA GULF, At Sea (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) intercepted and apprehended nine suspected pirates Feb. 12 in the Gulf of Aden after responding to a distress call from a nearby merchant vessel.

At approximately 4 a.m. local time, the Indian-flagged Motor Vessel Premdivya sent a distress call to all ships in the area reporting that she had been fired upon by a small skiff, and suspected pirates were attempting to board.

Upon reaching the suspect skiff, the helicopter crew from Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42, embarked aboard Vella Gulf, signaled for the skiff to stop immediately. When the skiff failed to stop, the helicopter fired one warning shot. A second warning shot was fired when the suspects continued to flee.

Once the suspected pirates brought the skiff to a complete stop following the second warning shot, Vella Gulf, and the guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) closed immediately to intercept the skiff. Visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) teams from both warships conducted a boarding and found weapons, to include one rocket propelled grenade launcher.

The suspected pirates were apprehended and brought on board Vella Gulf, where they were processed and are being held until they are transferred to a temporary holding facility aboard the supply ship USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE-1). They will remain aboard Lewis and Clark until information and evidence is assembled and evaluated and a decision is made regarding their further transfer.

This is the second apprehension of suspected pirates for Vella Gulf in less than 24 hours. There are currently 16 suspected pirates apprehended by the U.S. Navy.

Vella Gulf is the flagship for CTF 151, which is a multinational task force that conducts counter-piracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea and was established to create a lawful maritime order and develop security in the maritime environment.


Photo of the Day



The Seawolf-class submarine USS Seawolf (SSN 21), leads the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Oonami (DD 111), left, and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) after a successful undersea warfare exercise

Gator