Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Feature - Building The Fujimi 1/350 IJN Kongo
If you haven’t seen this one, it’s worth a look. MSW Crewmember Dade Bell (KARYBDIS) takes on his journey of building the Fujimi IJN Kongo in 1/350 scale. This is Part 1 or a two part series.
Feature
Duyfken 1606 Replica Foundation
Today’s website is the Duyfken 1606 Replica Foundation. The Western Australian Maritime Museum, Cliff St. Fremantle, is the homeport of the 1606 Dutch East India Company little ship Duyfken, captained by Willem Janszoon, to search for "south and east lands" beyond the furthest reaches of their known world. This is the first historically recorded voyage to Australia. Enjoy.
Website
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1882 - Commodore Shufeldt (USS Swatara) lands in Korea to negotiate first treaty between Korea and Western power.
1912 - Navy establishes North Atlantic Ice Patrol following RMS Titanic disaster.
1965 - 30th Naval Construction Regiment activated at Danang, Vietnam.
US Navy Orders Trimaran LCS Frigate
Source: US Department of Defense
General Dynamics – Bath Iron Works (BIW), Bath, Maine, is being awarded contract N00024-09-C-2302 for Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) FY09 Flight 0+ ship construction, class design services, configuration management services, additional crew and shore support, special studies and post delivery support.
As this award represents Phase I of a competitive two-phased acquisition approach to procure FY09/FY10 LCS, with Phase II including potential award of up to three additional LCS Flight 0+ Class ships, the award amount is considered source selection information (see FAR 2.101 and 3.104) and will not be made public at this time.
Work will be performed in Mobile, Ala., (50 percent); Bath, Maine, (17 percent); Pittsfield, Mass., (14 percent); Ottowa, Ontario, (2 percent); California, Md., (1 percent); Baltimore, Md., (1 percent); Leesburg, Va., (1 percent); Burlington, Vt., (1 percent); and various locations of less than 1 percent each totaling 13 percent, and work is expected to be completed by June 2012. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.
Northrop Grumman Lays Keel for California (SSN 781) Submarine
Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. --- Northrop Grumman Corporation hosted a keel laying ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine California (SSN 781) at the company's Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va.
Mrs. Donna Willard is the ship's sponsor and served as keel authenticator for the ceremony. She is the wife of Adm. Robert F. Willard, the United States Navy 32nd and current Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
“From my heart, I want you all to know how honored I am to be the sponsor of the USS California. I want to thank then-Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter for selecting me for this tremendous privilege,'' said Willard. “It's not just about the steel on the outside of the California that makes this so exciting for me, but rather it's the men on the inside. They are the sons, the brothers, the husbands and the fathers who will give life to this boat. They are the ones who go in harm's way in defense of our freedom.''
Mrs. Willard authenticated California's stern unit by chalking her initials onto a metal plate. Her initials were then welded onto the plate by Newport News welder Scott Hallinger. The plate will be permanently affixed to the submarine prior to its delivery to the Navy.
Adm. Kirkland Donald, director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion, spoke about the success of the Virginia-class program. “Through the successful commissioning of five ships of the Virginia class, we've proven that we know how to do this. The on-time, on-cost, on-quality reputation of this program is well documented, and I'm convinced that if we 'stick to our knitting,' California will be the best of the class.''
Matt Mulherin, sector vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News, presided over the event. Other ceremony participants included U.S. Rep. Robert “Bobby'' Scott, (D-Va.); California's Prospective Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Kevin Kinslow; and General Dynamics Electric Boat President John Casey. Guests included Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat employees who are building California; officers and crew of the Pre-Commissioning Unit California; U.S. Navy personnel; and government officials.
“As impressive as this submarine will be when complete, we will marvel not only at the ship itself, but at the people who built it, the people who will sail it, and the people it will defend,'' said Mulherin. “Thank you to the shipbuilders of Northrop Grumman and Electric Boat, the crew of the Pre-Commissioning Unit California, our Navy partners and the legislators who make this work possible. We are a formidable team indeed.''
California, the eighth ship of the Virginia class, is named after the “Golden State.'' It will be christened next year, and upon delivery to the Navy in 2011, will be the most modern and sophisticated attack submarine in the world, providing undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build Virginia class submarines.
A New Era for Navy Aviation Is On the Way
Source: Australian Department of Defence
The Minister for Defence, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, today reinforced the strategic importance of the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm at HMAS Albatross, and foreshadowed a substantial increase in infrastructure investment on the base following the release of the 2009 Defence White Paper.
Mr. Fitzgibbon toured the base and met with aircrew and maintainers from 817 Squadron, who are planning for the impending retirement of the ageing fleet of six SK-50 Sea King helicopters, which will be replaced by six advanced new MRH-90 multi-role helicopters in 2011.
During his visit, Mr Fitzgibbon observed that construction had commenced on the building of dedicated new hangers and maintenance facilities ahead of the arrival of the first of the new MRH-90s.
“This $38 million investment will ensure that HMAS Albatross has first-class facilities to operate and maintain these advanced new MRH-90s, and the construction phase will also create new job opportunities in the Nowra and Shoalhaven region,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
In recognition of the ongoing strategic importance of the Naval Air Station to Defence’s future capability needs, the Government will invest $130 million into upgrading base infrastructure under the Albatross Stage 3 Redevelopment Project, which will commence in 2010.
While at HMAS Albatross, the Minister also toured 816 Squadron and spoke with the aircrew and maintainers of the current fleet of 16 S-70B Seahawk helicopters about the Government’s plans to acquire a fleet of at least 24 new naval combat helicopters, as outlined in the 2009 Defence White Paper.
“The White Paper outlines the Government’s commitment to rectify the shortfalls in Navy’s current naval combat aviation as a matter of urgency. These 24 new aircraft will boost Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities while also possessing potent air-launched torpedoes and anti-ship missiles,” Mr. Fitzgibbon said.
“Albatross remains central to the Government’s plans to rebuild and revitalize Navy’s aviation capabilities after the difficult times that have fallen upon them in recent years. Today is as much about recognising and thanking the men and women of the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm for their service, while reassuring them that they have a crucial role in our plans to build a stronger and more capable Defence Force for the 21st century,” Mr. Fitzgibbon concluded.
Photo of the Day
The mighty HMS Iron Duke, flagship of Commander in Chief Admiral Sir John Jellicoe.
Gator
