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



Review - Aoshima 1/350 IJN Maya, 1944
MSW Crewmember D.T. (DR_WHO2) brings us an in-box review of Aoshima 1/350 IJN Maya, 1944 fit out.
Review




ShipbuildingHistory.com

Today’s website is ShipbuildingHistory.com. This web site is primarily concerned with the history of the U.S. shipbuilding industry. Enjoy.
Website




This Day in U.S. Naval History

1747 - Birth of John Paul Jones at Arbigland, Scotland.
1898 - Armed Auxiliary Dixie captures Spanish Three Bells, Pilgrim and Greeman Castle.
1908 - Cmdr. Robert Peary sails in Roosevelt from New York to explore Arctic.
1911 - First naval aviation base established at Annapolis, Md.
1920 - Test and first use of radio compass in aircraft off Norfolk, Va.
1943 - Night Battle of Kula Gulf results in loss of two Japanese destroyers and USS Helena (CL 50).
1976 - First women enter U.S. Naval Academy.


Northrop Grumman Announces $213.8 Million Advance Procurement Contract for Tenth San Antonio (LPD 17) Class Amphibious Ship
Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.

PASCAGOULA, Miss. --- The U.S. Navy awarded a $213.8 million cost-plus-fixed-fee advance procurement contract to Northrop Grumman Corporation that will provide long lead materials for LPD 26, the tenth amphibious transport dock ship of the USS San Antonio (LPD 17) class.

The funds will be used to purchase long lead time materials and major equipment in support of the new ship, such as main engines and diesel generators. The work will be performed at the company's Gulf Coast facilities. The award of a contract for the detail design and construction of LPD 26 is anticipated in mid-2010.

"LPD 17 is an important program for us and we're excited about the opportunity to continue the production line," said Tim Farrell, vice president and program manager of the LPD program for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Gulf Coast. "The advance procurement contract is significant because it allows us to partner with our supply chain to purchase equipment early in the process and meet our customer's schedule requirements."

The ten ships of the LPD 17 class are a key element of the Navy's ability to project power ashore. Collectively, these ships functionally replace over 41 ships (LPD 4, LSD 36, LKA 113, and LST 1179 classes of amphibious ships) providing the Navy and Marine Corps with modern, sea-based platforms that are networked, survivable, and built to operate with 21st century platforms, such as the MV-22 Osprey and the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV).

The LPD 17-class ships are 684 feet long, 105 feet wide and displace approximately 25,000 tons. Their principal mission is to deploy the combat and support elements of Marine Expeditionary Units and Brigades. The ship can carry up to 800 troops and have the capability of transporting and debarking air cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing craft and EFVs, augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft such as the MV-22. These ships will support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions through the first half of the 21st Century.


Raytheon Selected to Compete for U.K. Royal Navy Training Contract
Source: Raytheon Company

RESTON, Va. --- Raytheon Company has been selected by the U.K. Ministry of Defence to compete for a program that will provide support to the Royal Navy across initial entry training, warfighting shore training and youth training.

As part of this downselect, Raytheon, through its U.K. subsidiary Raytheon Systems Limited, will compete with three other companies during a competitive dialogue process that will end with a preferred bidder announcement in mid 2011. The contract is scheduled to begin in 2012.

"This opportunity enables us to demonstrate to the Royal Navy our approach to developing tailored training solutions substantiated by results with customers across defense government and commercial markets," said David Appel, a Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC director responsible for military training programs in the United Kingdom. "Our solution will show how we can improve operational capability while providing cost effectiveness."

The scope of the program will include training delivery, training support and training quality services. The estimated value of the contract is between $350 million to $550 million during a six-year base period with options up to 15 years.


Photo of the Day



Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead, middle, inspects Japan Self-Defense Force troops during an honors visit in Tokyo.

Gator