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



No Scuttlebutt May 27 - 28
Ahoy mates! I hope that everyone had a pleasant weekend and that our American crewmates honored our brave service men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. There will be no Scuttlebutt Wednesday and possibly Thursday of this week. Tomorrow morning I am having carpal tunnel surgery on my right wrist. I hope to have some use of my hand Thursday depending on the amount of discomfort. Scuttlebutt will resume on it’s regular schedule Monday.




USS Washington BB56

Today’s website is the USS Washington BB56. Get a feel for how large and powerful "The Mighty "W" was. Download Detailed Large Diagrams. . . . visit various components and compartments. View the Body Plan. View a comparison of BB56 and HMS King George V. Enjoy.
Website




This Day in U.S. Naval History

1944 - USS England (DE 635) sinks fifth Japanese submarine in one week.
1952 - Tests from 26-29 May demonstrate feasibility of the angled-deck concept conducted on simulated angled deck on USS Midway.
1990 - USS Beaufort rescues 24 Vietnamese refugees in South China Sea.


Navy Takes Delivery of Aircraft Carrier George H.W. Bush
Source: US Navy

WASHINGTON --- The Navy took delivery of its newest aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding May 11. George H.W. Bush is the 10th and final Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.

"George H.W. Bush has been eight years in the making, with its keel laid in 2003, followed by christening in 2006 and today's delivery. It's a testament to the dedication and professionalism of both the Navy and our industry partners," said Capt. Frank Simei, Navy program manager for in-service aircraft carriers.

George H.W. Bush is the most advanced ship of its class. Relative to the last aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan substantial design features were modified and new technologies inserted. Examples include a new vacuum marine sanitation system, a new jet fuel distribution system and numerous other new control systems and piping materials. These new features will reduce the lifecycle cost of the carrier.

"George H.W. Bush's delivery completes the construction of Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, but their legacy will continue" said Simei. "This ship will be an important part of our maritime forces for the next 50 years."

George H. W. Bush was commissioned Jan. 10 at Norfolk Naval Base. Doro Bush Koch, daughter of President George H.W. Bush, is the ship's sponsor.


Thales Appointed Prime Contractor for Modernisation of Singapore's Mine Countermeasures Vessels
Source: Thales

Following a call for international tender, the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) of Singapore awarded Thales with the Life Extension Programme (LEP) of its 4 Bedok class mine-countermeasure vessels.

This significant contract highlights the relevance of both Thales's naval technology portfolio and its comprehensive set of skills and capabilities to address key modernisation programs in an ever-more competitive international naval market.

Thales will provide an advanced, integrated mine-countermeasure (MCM) Combat System, including the Mine Information System, a Hull Mounted Sonar, a Towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) and Expendable Mine Disposal Systems. Thales will also be in charge of making any structural alterations to the vessels in relation to the integration of new systems and equipment.

"Thales is honoured to have been selected by the DSTA as Prime Contractor for the modernisation program of the Bedok Class MCM vessels. This contract award underlines the cutting edge of Thales's naval technology portfolio to address the very challenging maritime environment of the Republic of Singapore", says Marc Darmon, Senior Vice President of Thales and Head of Naval Division.

Within the framework of the contract, Thales will also closely cooperate with the ST Electronics Group, building on the successful history of cooperation in various other programs.

"Upon completion of the modernisation program, the RSN will benefit from a high coverage rate of MCM operations, with a very high level of detection and classification accuracy of the most advanced sea mines. This enhanced capability constitutes a key contribution to a safer maritime environment", says Benoit Ribadeau-Dumas, Vice President of Thales's Underwater Systems Business.

In 2007 and 2008, Thales has been awarded significant MCM modernizations programs in Norway, India and Lithuania.


Photo of the Day



The guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) sails under the Verranzo Bridge during the Parade of Ships, kicking off New York Fleet Week 2009.

Gator