Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Lockheed Martin-Built Trident II D5 Missile Achieves 127 Successful Test Flights
Source: Lockheed Martin
SUNNYVALE, Calif. --- The U.S. Navy supported the May 26 launch of a U.K. Royal Navy Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) built by Lockheed Martin. The unarmed missile was launched from the submerged Royal Navy submarine HMS Victorious (UK SSBN 06) in the Atlantic Ocean. The Trident II D5 missile now has achieved 127 consecutive successful test flights since 1989 - a record unmatched by any other large ballistic missile or space launch vehicle.
"This performance has been achieved in tests conducted by the U.S. Navy and the Royal Navy over the past two decades," said Melanie A. Sloane, vice president of Fleet Ballistic Missile programs, Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, the Trident missile prime contractor. "The cooperation of both governments, supported by industry, provides a credible strategic deterrent."
The test was part of a Demonstration and Shakedown Operation following an overhaul of the submarine. For the test, a missile was converted into a test configuration using a test missile kit produced by Lockheed Martin that contains range safety devices and flight telemetry instrumentation.
First deployed in 1990, the D5 missile is currently aboard U.S. Navy OHIO-class and Royal Navy VANGUARD-class submarines. The three-stage, solid-propellant, inertial-guided ballistic missile can travel a nominal range of 4,000 nautical miles and carries multiple independently targeted reentry vehicles.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Sunnyvale, Calif., is the prime contractor and program manager for the Trident missile. Lockheed Martin provides program management and engineering services for the United Kingdom's Trident II D5 Fleet Ballistic Missile program through an annual contract funded by the U.K. Royal Navy, with work performed at facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom. For the period from April 1, 2009, through March 31, 2010, Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract of $21.3 million contract for United Kingdom technical services in support of the Trident Missile System.
Lockheed Martin Space Systems has been the U.S. Navy's prime strategic missile contractor since the inception of the program more than 50 years ago. Since 1968, Lockheed Martin has provided program support to the Royal Navy under the terms of the 1963 U.S.-U.K. Polaris Sales Agreement, which was modified in 1982 to provide for the Trident II D5 ballistic missile system.
Northrop Grumman-Built New York (LPD 21) Returns from Successful Acceptance Trials
Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.
AVONDALE, La. --- The Northrop Grumman Corporation-built amphibious transport dock ship New York (LPD 21) returned to the company's Avondale shipyard in New Orleans July 23 flying three brooms signifying a successful U.S. Navy Acceptance Trials. The ship is the fifth in the San Antonio-class series that the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding sector is building across the Gulf Coast.
"This was an exceptional sea trial. We followed our planned schedule of events and executed very well," said Richard Schenk, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding vice president, Tests and Trials. "The ship's fit and finish is excellent, a true tribute to our shipbuilders' hard work, and LPD 21 most definitely proved her worth. The teamwork between Northrop Grumman and the customer created this opportunity for success."
New York (LPD 21) demonstrated a variety of systems including main propulsion, engineering and ship control systems, combat systems, damage control, food service and crew support. Among additional acceptance trial highlights, the ship completed a full power run, self defense detect-to-engage exercises, steering, and anchor handling demonstrations.
The ballasting and deballasting tests, during which the ship's well-deck is flooded for future launching of landing craft air-cushion vessels and expeditionary fighting vehicles, were performed in an outstanding manner, with the ballast system test setting a new LPD ship record for time to ballast down.
"The completion of acceptance trials is a major step towards bringing New York into the fleet," said Capt. Bill Galinis, the LPD 17-class program manager for the Navy's Program Executive Office for Ships (PEO Ships). "This week, four out of five San Antonio-class ships were underway at the same time. There's really no better indication that we're delivering urgently needed assets to our warfighters."
The bow stem of New York contains 7.5 tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center and the ship is named in honor of the victims and heroes of the 9/11 terrorist attack. The future USS New York is scheduled for commissioning in New York City on Nov. 7, 2009
Trinidad and Tobago Orders Four AW139 Helicopters
Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the government of Trinidad and Tobago has signed a contract to purchase four AW139 medium twin turbine helicopters.
Trinidad and Tobago's Air Guard (TTAG) will establish a dedicated unit to use these helicopters for search and rescue, surface surveillance, law enforcement, drug interdiction and disaster relief operations.
The contract also includes an extensive training and logistical support service for the first five years. The contract, comprising the aircraft and support package, is valued at US$348 million.
A consortium involving AgustaWestland, Bristow Caribbean, FB Heliservices of UK and Helidex of USA will be established to manage the AW139 programme in Trinidad and Tobago with training services to be supplied in Italy, the UK and the USA. Operations will primarily take place from Piarco International Airport and from offshore patrol vessels, working in conjunction with the Coast Guard. This order marks the establishment of the first Search and Rescue helicopter unit in the country.
Giuseppe Orsi, Chief Executive Officer, AgustaWestland said “We are delighted that the Trinidad and Tobago has selected the AW139 to meet its search and rescue and homeland security requirements. This purchase demonstrates the continued success of the AW139 platform worldwide and in the Central America and Caribbean markets where we see good business opportunities in the future”.
The TTAG joins a number of AW139 operators worldwide including the Spanish Marine Safety Agency, the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Italian Coast Guard, the Japanese Coast Guard, the Korean Coast Guard and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in selecting the AW139 for their SAR missions.
The AW139 is the best selling medium twin-engine helicopter in the world. To date, almost 440 orders for this helicopter have been placed by nearly 120 customers in more than 40 countries for a wide variety of applications including EMS/SAR, law enforcement, offshore transport, VIP/corporate transport, fire fighting, utility and other commercial and government roles.
The state-of-the-art AW139 is designed with inherent multi-role capability and flexibility of operation. It offers unmatched performance and safety levels as well as the largest cabin in its class. Large sliding doors enable quick and easy access for fast rope activities. With a maximum cruise speed of 165 kts (306 km/h), a maximum range of 573 nm (1061 km) and over 5 hours endurance, the AW139 helicopter offers best-in-class mission capability.
Cutting-edge mission-dedicated technology and equipment and outstanding performance features enable the AW139 to accomplish the most demanding operations in the harshest weather and environmental conditions.
U-1105 Black Panther Historic Shipwreck Preserve
Today’s website is the U-1105 Black Panther Historic Shipwreck Preserve. Following limited action in the closing days of World War II at Piney Point, the Black Panther Submarine became a possession of the US Navy. In February 1946 research on her unique rubber-tiled skin was initiated at the Naval research Laboratory in Washington and at the MIT Acoustic Laboratory in Cambridge, MA August 1948 U-1105 was towed to the Chesapeake, and salvage test began off Point No Point, where the ship was temporarily sunk. On 29 June 1985, the wreck was rediscovered by a team of sport divers and now is administered by the St. Clement's Island-Potomac River Museum, the Maryland Historical Trust, and Sea Colony Aqua Sports. Enjoy.
Website
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1916 - First Naval aircraft production contract, for the N-9 "Jenny."
1921 - General Order establishes the Bureau of Aeronautics under Rear Adm. William Moffett.
1944 - Guam secured by U.S. forces.
1964 - Signing of Gulf of Tonkin Resolution which is used as the starting point of the Vietnam Conflict.
Photo of the Day
Sailors aboard the guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729) wait for a storm to pass as the submarine prepares to get underway from Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga. for the first time since conversion from a ballistic missile submarine to a guided-missile submarine in 2008.
Gator
