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



Feature – IJN Mogami
MSW Crewmember Anthony Kochevar (ajkochev) sails into port with his tricked out IJN Mogami in 1/700 scale.
Feature




Boeing Delivers Harpoon Missiles with Updated Guidance Control
Source: Boeing Co.

ST. LOUIS --- Boeing in June delivered the first four Harpoon Block II missiles equipped with a redesigned Guidance Control Unit (GCU), which provides growth capabilities and resolves obsolescence issues. The missiles were delivered to the U.S. Navy for transfer to two Foreign Military Sales customers.

The new GCU, which controls most of the missiles' functions, incorporates a Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to improve GPS security. In addition, the GCU can accommodate possible future implementation of a data link for network centric operation.

Boeing began developing this GCU in 2007 to provide a common guidance system for Block II and future versions of the Harpoon missile. All new Harpoon missiles will incorporate the redesigned GCU.

"Boeing's investment in developing a new, more robust GCU positions the Harpoon program to meet our customers' needs for many years to come," said Steve Morrow, Naval Weapon Systems program director for Boeing. "With this upgrade, Harpoon continues to adapt and evolve to meet our customers' requirements."

Boeing has delivered more than 7,100 Harpoon missiles to the United States and 28 allied navies and is scheduled to deliver an additional 31 missiles this year.

Harpoon Block II executes both anti-ship and land-strike missions. The 500-pound blast fragmentation warhead delivers lethal firepower against a variety of land-based targets, including coastal defense sites, surface-to-air missile sites, exposed aircraft, port/industrial facilities and ships in port.


Bright Future for Naval Search and Track System
Source: Forecast International

NEWTOWN, Conn. --- The SIRIUS long-range, infrared search and track (LR-IRST) naval surveillance system should be produced in steady numbers over the next several years for its first major applications. The start of this work came one big step closer in May 2008 when the Canadian Navy announced its formal acceptance of the first SIRIUS system.

Jointly designed, developed, and tested by DRS Technologies and Thales Nederland, the U.S. company (or more specifically, its Canadian division) will take over as SIRIUS prime contractor once production begins. The system provides automated detection and target tracking of anti-ship missiles, enemy aircraft, and other threats, especially when conditions are not favorable for the use of radar alone.

Recent sea trials of SIRIUS have reportedly been successful. This should bode well for its prospects on the export market, where nations such as Australia, Germany, and South Korea have already shown keen interest.

The Canadian Department of National Defence and the RNLN, in April 2006, together awarded a $142 million contract for 17 SIRIUS systems. Work for the Canadian and RNLN order should be completed by 2011.




Italian Navy Takes Delivery of Its 21st AW101 Helicopter
Source: AgustaWestland

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Italian Navy has taken today delivery of its 21st AW101 three-engine medium/heavy helicopter during an official ceremony held at Maristaeli Luni naval base in Italy.

This Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)/Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) configured aircraft is the first unit of the last AW101 batch for the service which has committed to a total of 24 AW101s.

The Italian Navy is already operating 8 ASW/ASuW, 4 HEW (helicopter early warning) and 8 amphibious support helicopters. The Italian Navy’s AW101s ASW and HEW variants are amongst the most advanced naval helicopters in service today and have been successfully deployed on overseas operations providing a major contribution to international maritime operations.

The long range and endurance of the AW101 combined with the capabilities of its sensors and onboard processers make it a highly effective naval helicopter.

Recently the Italian Navy supported the G8 Forum in Italy using the AW101 to perform transport for heads of state and government officials. The AW101 was chosen due to its safety, cabin space and comfort.

The maritime variant of the AW101 is in service with the Italian Navy and the UK’s Royal Navy having replaced the Sea King helicopter in a number of ship and shore based roles.

Also the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) has chosen the AW101 for Airborne Mine Countermeasures and Antarctic Survey operations designated the MCH101 and the CH101 respectively.

Over 170 AW101 helicopters have been ordered so far by customers worldwide to perform a number of roles.




US Navy Harbor Tug Boats

Today’s website is the US Navy Harbor Tug Boats. This site is dedicated to the unsung workhorses of the fleet, the harbor tug. Enjoy.
Website


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1812 - USS Constitution captures and destroys brig Lady Warren.
1877 - Professor Asaph Hall of Naval Observatory discovers first of two satellites of Mars. He found the second one within a week.
1921 - Carrier arresting gear first tested at Hampton Roads.
1960 - USNS Longview (T-AGM 3), using Navy helicopters and frogmen, recovers a Discover satellite capsule after 17 orbits. This is first recovery of U.S. satellite from orbit.


Photo of the Day



An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Blackjacks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 moves cargo from the Military Sealift Command fast combat-support ship USNS Rainier (T-AOE 7) during a replenishment at sea with the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).

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