Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Sub Chasers In Action Book
T. Garth Connelly gives us news of an upcoming Squadron “In Action” book.
News
Look what the tide washed up...
Show off you recent ship modeling purchases! If you’ve bought a ship model, aftermarket accessories, reference material or tools, feel free to post it. As long as its ship/hobby related, it’s welcomed.
Ahoy
Georgios Averoff
Today’s website is the Georgios Averoff. Georgios Averoff is the world's only surviving heavily armored cruiser of the early 20th century. Enjoy.
Website
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1795 - The U.S. Navy Office of Purveyor of Supplies is established. This is officially recognized as the Navy Supply Corps Birthday.
1919 - USS Osmond Ingram (DD 255), the first Navy ship named for an enlisted man, is commissioned.
1944 - Carrier groups under Adm. Raymond Spruance attack Saipan, Tinian and Rota in the Marianas.
1945 - U.S. Marines and a Navy corpsman raise the American flag on Mt. Suribachi, Iwo Jima. The scene has been forever remembered on the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Maltese Armed Forces Order Patrol Craft Fleet
Source: Austal
Austal has secured its first European defence contract with an order for four 21.2 metre inshore patrol craft - including training and spares support - with the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM).
The vessels will be built at Austal’s Australian facilities and are scheduled for delivery by the end of the year.
Intended to assist the AFM with surveillance and border protection throughout Malta’s coastal waters, the vessels will have a maximum speed of more than 26 knots and will be capable of supporting 7.62mm and 12.7mm guns.
The new order adds to Austal's current patrol craft contracts comprising six high speed vessels for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and three patrol catamarans for the Queensland Police. Austal also has contracts to design and build the US Navy’s 127 metre Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and 103 metre Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV).
Managing Director Bob Browning said Austal was fielding increased interest from nations seeking fast and economical aluminium patrol craft for protection against modern-day coastal border security threats.
“Following significant patrol boat deliveries to countries including Yemen, Kuwait and Australia, Austal is pleased to add Malta to its growing defence customer base while making important inroads into the traditionally self-reliant European defence market,” Mr Browning said.
Austal was awarded the contract following a competitive international tender process, which called for a proven design that addressed specific AFM requirements, as well as meeting a demanding delivery schedule.
Once completed, the order will bring Austal’s total number of defence vessels to more than 60, including the 14 Armidale Class patrol boats built for the Royal Australian Navy, 10 vessels for Yemen and eight Australian Customs vessels.
Austal Vice President - Global Defence Sales, John Caccivio said Austal’s advanced aluminium defence platforms - typified by their speed, shallow drafts, flexibility and reduced maintenance costs - were finding increased global relevance.
“To now extend our reach to the European defence market – a market that usually shows preference towards domestic builds – underlines not only the uniqueness of the Austal product but also the evolution of maritime security challenges, such as piracy and terrorism, within global littoral waters,” Mr Caccivio said.
By utilising a planing aluminium hull, the 21.2 metre inshore patrol craft combines economical performance at all operational speeds with superior seakeeping in varying sea conditions.
Speaking at yesterday’s contract signing ceremony in Malta, AMF Lt Col Martin Sammut said the vessels were a logical progression from the AMF’s current fleet.
“These patrol vessels will enhance the border surveillance capabilities owing to better sea-keeping characteristics, extended range of operations, and better endurance than the current inshore patrol boats. These aluminium vessels will be operated by a maximum crew of 8 personnel and will be a major improvement in crew comfort and safety owing to better crew accommodation and enhanced catering and messing facilities,” Lt Col Sammut said.
AFM responsibilities include maintaining Malta’s territorial waters through combating terrorism and illicit drug trafficking, conducting anti-illegal immigrant and anti-illegal fishing operations, operating Search and Rescue (SAR) services, and physical/electronic security/surveillance of sensitive locations.
CURRENT AUSTAL DEFENCE CONTRACTS:
--1 x 127m Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) for US Navy
--1 x 103m Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) for US Department of Defence (plus nine contract options)
--3 x 22m Police Boats for Queensland Police Service
--6 x 30m Patrol Boats for Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard
Huge Navy Task Force Sets Sail
Source: U.K Ministry of Defence
HMS Bulwark, which is spearheading the biggest Royal Navy Task Force to deploy to the Far East in more than a decade, set sail from Plymouth today, Wednesday 18 February 2009.
The Taurus deployment has been 18 months in the planning. It aims to maintain the Royal Navy's fighting capability as well as develop the UK's capacity to operate with key partners and allies from NATO countries and other nations to enhance interoperability.
It will also demonstrate the UK's commitment to the stability and security of the Mediterranean, Middle East and South East Asia.
In exercising its ability to deploy globally, the Task Force will conduct a wide range of activities, including maritime security operations, and exercising amphibious and anti-submarine warfare.
The Task Force comprises 12 ships, including a US Navy destroyer and a French Navy frigate, two nuclear-powered submarines, Royal Marines, the Fleet Diving Unit, elements of 820 and 857 Naval Air Squadrons from RNAS Culdrose, 847 Naval Air Squadron and Commando Helicopter Force Sea Kings based in Yeovil and Support Helicopter Force Chinooks from 18 Squadron, RAF Odiham.
It will be joined by ships, troops and aircraft from other nations as it transits towards South East Asia.
At its height, 3,300 personnel will take part in the 20,400 mile (32,831km) round-trip deployment, interacting, training and building relations with 17 nations.
Spearheading the deployment from his Command Ship HMS Bulwark, Royal Navy Commodore Peter Hudson, Commander UK Amphibious Task Group, said:
"Taurus is a great opportunity for the Royal Navy to demonstrate and practise a wide range of skills, specifically anti-submarine and amphibious warfare. Everybody involved is looking forward to this deployment, which has real opportunities for all. Deploying a maritime force across the globe for prolonged periods defines a premier Navy's capability. It is what we do and we do it well. It is important for UK defence that we can take such a commitment in our stride."
The Taurus deployment will be split into two phases.
Phase One will involve amphibious training with nations in the Mediterranean, culminating in a series of amphibious landings in Turkey as part of Exercise Egemen - a joint and combined exercise.
Phase Two will see part of the Task Group deploy through the Suez Canal, culminating in a multi-national training package in the primary jungles of Brunei. Riverine training will also be conducted with the Bangladeshi Navy, the first such interaction in more than a decade.
The UK-mandated deployment will remain available for a range of potential missions as required, such as humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
Speaking as the Task Force prepares to deploy, Minister of State for the Armed Forces Bob Ainsworth said:
"In addition to the Royal Navy's contribution to current operations, exercising its open ocean and amphibious capability is vital to demonstrating its global reach and maintaining its capacity to deliver maritime security. This deployment illustrates the Navy's versatility. It is a world class service and deploying this task group will hone its warfighting skills."
The Task Force is expected to return in August 2009.
The ships involved in the Taurus deployment are:
--Landing Platform Dock HMS Bulwark*
--Landing Platform Helicopter HMS Ocean*
--Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll
--Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset*
--United States Navy Guided Missile Destroyer USS Mitscher*
--French Navy Georges Leygues-class frigate FS Dupleix
--RFA Mounts Bay
--RFA Lyme Bay
--RFA Wave Ruler*
--RFA Fort Austin
--Two Trafalgar Class submarines
* denotes units involved in Phase Two
Engagement/Exercises will be conducted with countries including: Malta, Gibraltar, Spain, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Brunei.
Northrop Grumman Continues Legacy of Building Aerial Targets for the U.S. Navy with BQM-74E Contract Award
Source: Northrop Grumman Corp
SAN DIEGO --- Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a $49 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement of 160 BQM-74E Aerial Targets and associated technical data for the U.S. Navy.
The BQM-74E is a high fidelity subsonic, subscale, jet-powered aerial target capable of being launched from land-based, shipboard, or airborne platforms. It is a highly maneuverable and flexible platform used to replicate enemy cruise missiles and aircraft for fleet training, and to test and evaluate anti-ship and anti-aircraft defensive weapons systems. It is routinely employed from remote fixed land sites and during deployed open ocean operations. Work is expected to be completed by May 2011.
Since 1968, the MQM/BQM-74 series of aerial targets has been the workhorse of the Navy's subsonic aerial target inventory, providing over 80 percent of all U.S. Navy target presentations.
“With this award, Northrop Grumman will continue to supply the Navy with a mature, affordable, reliable and versatile product for the weapons evaluation and training of sailors and airmen,'' said Doug Fronius, director of Tactical Unmanned Systems for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector.
Photo of the Day
Gunner's Mate 1st Class James Smith uses a 25mm MOD 30 machine gun mount monitor during a general quarters drill aboard the, amphibious dock landing ship, USS Carter Hall (LSD 50).
Gator
