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



Feature - MSW Community Build Wrap-Up
After much delay join us for a Wrap-Up of the MSW Community Build Contest.
Feature




Old Coast Guard Station

Today’s website is the Old Coast Guard Station. Housed in a restored former U.S. Life-Saving Service building, it is the only existing station among a mere handful on the entire Atlantic Coast. Enjoy.
Website




This Day in U.S. Naval History

1947 - First Navy all jet squadron (VF-17A) receives its first aircraft (FH).
1948 - USS Putnum (DD 757) evacuates U.N. team from Haifa, Israel and becomes first U.S. Navy ship to fly the U.N. flag.
1950 - USS Boxer sets record crossing of Pacific to bring aircraft, troops, and supplies to Korea at start of the Conflict.
1958 - USS Nautilus (SSN 571) departs Pearl Harbor for first submerged transit of North Pole.
1993 - Sarah Deal becomes first female Marine selected for naval aviation training.


A Survey of Missions for Unmanned Undersea Vehicles
Source: Rand Corporation

Which military missions for unmanned undersea vehicles (UUVs) appear most promising to pursue in terms of military need, risk, alternatives, and cost? This book presents the results of a limited study performed by the RAND Corporation to address this question.

At the request of the sponsor [the US Navy—Ed.], the book also surveys UUV technologies and the UUV marketplace and makes specific programmatic recommendations and broader recommendations (such as considering the relative suitability of UUVs and unmanned surface vehicles [USVs] for many missions).

The book also recommends greater emphasis on using surface platforms—instead of submarines—as launch platforms. The basis for this recommendation is that although UUVs are expected to operate in denied areas, the enhanced endurance possible through surface-ship operations will reduce the need to launch and recover UUVs within denied areas.

This book should be of interest to the Department of the Navy, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Congress.

This research was sponsored by the U.S. Navy and conducted within the Acquisition and Technology Policy Center of the RAND National Defense Research Institute, a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Unified Combatant Commands, the Department
of the Navy, the Marine Corps, the defense agencies, and the defense
Intelligence Community.


Bath Iron Works Awarded $33 million Contract for Lead Yard Services on the DDG 51 class Aegis Destroyer Program
Source: General Dynamics Bath Iron Works

BATH, Maine --- The U.S. Navy has awarded Bath Iron Works, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, a $33.1 million contract to provide ongoing Lead Yard Services for the DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class Aegis Destroyer Program. This option modifies a contract initially awarded in November 2005.



Bath Iron Works (BIW) has provided program management, engineering and design support for DDG 51 Arleigh Burke-class ships under the Lead Yard Services program since 1987, supplying technical assistance in the interpretation and application of the detailed design developed by BIW, the lead shipyard for the class. This award includes work associated with DDG 51 restart and upgrades associated with Aegis combat systems.

Bath Iron Works, a leader in surface combatant design and construction, employs approximately 5,400 people. Since 1991, BIW has manufactured and delivered 31 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the most technologically advanced surface combatant in the world, to the U.S. Navy. Three additional ships are currently under construction for delivery by 2011.




EAF Enables JSF Landing Anywhere, Everywhere
Source: Navair

PATUXENT NAVAL AIR STATION, Md. -- Marine Wing Support Squadron 274 gave engineers help in April to lay the first expeditionary landing site for the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter for short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities testing.

Expeditionary Airfields are mobile systems that allow Marines to quickly build functioning airfields in areas without airfield support. EAFs are built using AM-2 matting: aluminum panels which are assembled in a brickwork pattern to form runways, taxiways, parking sites and other areas required for aircraft operations and maintenance.



These EAFs allow the JSF to perform missions in any terrain that does not support a standard-use airfield in mission-critical areas.

“This joint testing is a significant step for the Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment program,” said ALRE Program Manager Capt. Randy Mahr. “The JSF and EAF have an integral relationship in expanding our capabilities and success on the battlefield. The EAF’s AM-2 matting is battle tested, dependable and versatile. It’s exactly what we need for our expeditionary landing and take-off platforms.”

Although the AM-2 matting is serving its purpose as vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) pads and a 1,900 x 96-foot runway for the EAF/STOVL testing, it also doubles as the run-up for a test “ski-jump” used in conjunction with JSF testing for the British Royal Navy. The AM-2 matting and the 12-degree ski-jump ramp were installed at the centerfield area last month.

“NAVAIR is excited about our involvement in the JSF program, said Mike Jiavaras, ALRE’s EAF team leader. “Knowing that the first time this aircraft demonstrates its impressive VTOL capabilities will be on an expeditionary airfield raises the level of pride the team has in our program and in support of the warfighter.”

The ski-jump ramp is used by British Her Majesty’s Ship (HMS) Invincible-class carriers for launch of STOVL aircraft, such as the Harrier GR7A, and is located on the forward-end of the flight deck. JSF program experts explain that the ski-jump is a more fuel efficient way for aircraft take-off. However, the drawback is that it does not allow larger aircraft such as the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the EA-18G Growler - future carrier deck-mates with the JSF, the needed distance for launch and recovery.

The mock ski-jump is 150-feet long, with a 15-foot high “lip” for aircraft launch. These shore-based ski-jump takeoffs will be conducted at varying airspeeds prior to the first UK ship detachment with the F-35B.

“We are extremely excited about getting the first of eight F-35’s to Patuxent River beginning this summer. The first aircraft to arrive, a STOVL aircraft designated BF-1, will use test facilities we have built to test and verify the unique warfighting capabilities the STOVL variant brings. We look forward to supporting the long-standing traditions of expeditionary warfare capabilities for the next 50 years of Marine Corps aviation,” said Capt. Wade Knudson, acting deputy program executive officer and program manager for F-35 Lightning II development.


Photo of the Day



Boatswains Mate Seaman Pascal Koffi and Seaman David Westbrook, both assigned to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), paint the side of the ship during a port visit to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

Gator