Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Feature - LST-4002 Shimokita
The LST-4002 Shimokita is the state-of-the-art transport ship of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). Roy (Christer Johansson) show us his Diorama - and what an excellent work!
Feature
Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum
Today’s website is the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. Located on historic Charleston Harbor, Patriots Point is home to USS YORKTOWN (CV-10), the Fighting Lady. The first USS YORKTOWN (CV-5) sank at the battle of Midway on June 7, 1942. Moored next to her is USS LAFFEY (DD-724), a World War II destroyer. Also moored alongside are the United States Coast Guard cutter INGHAM (WHEC-35), which fought in the convoy battles of the North Atlantic and sank a German U-boat; and the diesel attack submarine USS CLAMAGORE (SS-343). Enjoy.
Website
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1846 - Sailors and Marines from USS Portsmouth occupy and raise flag over San Francisco.
1918 - Henry Ford launches first of 100 Eagle boats.
1944 - Organized Japanese resistence ceases on Saipan, Marianas.
1960 - USS Wasp (CVA 18) departs Guantanamo Bay to support United Nations effort to calm the newly independent Congo.
First Export Success for Sting Ray
Source: BAE Systems
The Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation has selected the BAE Systems Insyte Sting Ray Mod 1 lightweight torpedo to meet the requirements of its Norwegian Anti-submarine Torpedo (NAT) programme.
Sting Ray Mod 1 will arm the new Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates and will be integrated with the new NH90 anti-submarine warfare helicopter and the Orion P3-C maritime patrol aircraft.
The £99m contract, won in competition against other leading defence companies, marks the first export success for Sting Ray Mod 1.
Commenting on the success, Rory Fisher, Managing Director, Insyte said:
“I am delighted that Norway has decided to select Sting Ray Mod 1, which is widely recognised as one of the world’s most sophisticated lightweight torpedo weapon systems. We can now set about delivering our commitments in programme delivery and ensure we become the dependable partner of choice for our Norwegian customer.”
In winning the competition, BAE Systems acknowledge the support provided by UK customer partners, in particular the Torpedoes integrated project team within the Ministry of Defence procurement agency Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), and the UK Defence Storage and Distribution Agency based at Gosport, Hampshire.
Navantia Launches Two Ships For Venezuela
Source: Navantia
On 24th June, Navantia launched, at the San Fernando-Puerto Real shipyard, the first of four Economic Zone Patrol Boat (PVOZEE) and the third of four offshore patrol boats (OPV’s) that are being built for the Venezuelan Navy.
The vessels were named “Caribe” and “Naiguatá” and were christened by Dinorah Villasmil de Mata and Alma Pura Blanco de Padrón.
Attending the ceremony were, among others, the Vice-chairman of SEPI, Federico Montero, and the San Fernando-Puerto Real shipyard's General Manager, Fernando Miguélez.
The PVOZEE has a length of 98.90 meters, a displacement of 2,200 tonnes and a maximum speed of 25 knots. The missions are the control of the economic exclusive zone, search and rescue and also anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.
The OPV has a length overall of 79.90 metres and the capacity to displace 1,500 tonnes and reach a maximum speed of 22 knots. These ships will be able to carry out a wide variety of missions such as coastal surveillance and protection, protection of maritime traffic, health assistance to other ships, external firefighting, the fight and control of marine pollution, transport of personnel and provisions, search and rescue operations, rapid intervention, frogmen support, surface defence and passive electronic warfare.
The contract for these eight patrol boats, whose construction will mean 5 million work hours (1,456,900 for Navantia and 3,580,700 for auxiliary industry), was signed on 28 November 2005.
Their deliveries are scheduled to take place between October 2009 and July 2011.
Lockheed Martin Delivers First Target Sight System Production Unit to the U.S. Marine Corps
Source: Lockheed Martin
ORLANDO, Fla. --- Lockheed Martin marked the delivery of the first Target Sight System (TSS) production unit at a ceremony held at its Orlando, FL, facility today. The TSS is the multi-sensor fire control system for the U.S. Marine Corps' AH-1Z Cobra helicopter.
The TSS integrates state-of-the-art sensors, providing Cobra pilots with enhanced capabilities to acquire, track and designate targets. The system provides superior imagery through a highly-stabilized sensor suite that includes a laser designator, color TV and a third-generation, mid-wave, forward-looking infrared sensor with advanced image processing.
"Lockheed Martin has worked hard to deliver a superior targeting system capability for the AH-1Z Cobra," said Col. Harry Hewson, U.S. Marine Corps Program Manager Air 276. "TSS allows Warfighters to see farther with greater precision, enabling mission accomplishment and safe return to base. We are looking forward to deploying this capability in the field."
The Naval Surface Warfare Center awarded the initial TSS production contract in March 2008. Production will take place at Lockheed Martin's facilities in Ocala and Orlando, FL. Delivery of the 16 systems contracted will be completed in 2010.
"We are committed to providing the U.S. Marine Corps with a sensor solution that provides outstanding value through high performance, reliability and combat survivability," said Mike Inderhees, director of Turreted Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "With TSS, Cobra pilots can now identify a threat from significantly increased standoff ranges, allowing them to accurately engage the enemy at maximum weapon ranges."
Photo of the Day
The mine countermeasures ship USS Avenger (MCM 1) is secured on the deck of a heavy lift vehicle carrier contracted by Military Sealift Command as they arrive in Sasebo.
Gator
