Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Link - Sunken WWII Navy Patrol Boat Found
Here''s a very cool report of U.S. Navy patrol boat, YP-389, sunk off North Carolina by a German submarine on June 19, 1942, which has been found and photographed 20 miles off Cape Hatteras, N.C.
Link
Atlas Elektronik Equips Six New Submarines for Korea
Source: Atlas Elektronik
BREMEN, Germany --- Atlas Elektronik has been awarded the largest single order in its company history. Bremen’s specialist for naval electronics will equip six submarines for Korea with combat systems of the type ISUS 90-61.
The corresponding contract was signed with Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft GmbH (HDW), which belongs to ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems AG.
HDW will deliver six material packages to Korea for the construction of Class 214 submarines. The six ISUS systems from Atlas Elektronik form an important part of this order. In addition, the contract provides for extensive teamwork with the Korean industry.
Atlas Elektronik is therefore also represented in the second batch of the Korean submarine programme. The first batch involved three boats and was contracted in 2000. Atlas Elektronik is able to look back at decades of fruitful cooperation with the Korean Navy; this new order creates the foundations for continued success in Korea.
The Managing Directors of Atlas Elektronik, Dieter Rottsieper and Kai Horten, commented: “This is a major triumph and underlines the position of Atlas as a global market leader in submarine technology. With this contract, we will be able to expand our technological excellence in this field and, at the same time, secure both jobs and know-how in Germany.”
£52m Equipment Contracts Placed For Navy’s New Aircraft Carriers
Source: U.K Ministry of Defence
The MoD today announced that sub-contracts worth over £52M for a wide range of equipment for the two Queen Elizabeth Class Future Aircraft Carriers have been placed, helping to secure jobs and sustain work for industry across the UK.
“As well as the everyday essentials such as washing machines and TVs that will make the ship’s company comfortable onboard, the contracts announced today provide for some of the highly sophisticated equipment that will make these ships fit for the Royal Navy of the 21st century.
“With construction well under way and the first units of the pre-fabricated units having arrived at the dockyard in Rosyth where they will be assembled, the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers are beginning to take shape.”
Tony Graham, Head of Capital Ships within MOD’s Defence Equipment & Support, said:
“The vast majority of Queen Elizabeth Class supply contracts have now been placed. These latest orders begin to close out the few remaining supply agreements needed to finish HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince Of Wales. Our supply chain stretches the length and breadth of the UK, and as such we recognise that the build of these two important warships is a national endeavour of great consequence for jobs, skills and local pride.”
The two future aircraft carriers will carry out a whole range of operations from high-intensity fighting to support to humanitarian relief.
The sub-contracts include:
-- £16M for 12,000 valves by Score Marine Ltd, based in Peterhead, who employ 675 people at the site
-- £15M for an integrated waste management system managed by Babcock Strachan & Henshaw in Bristol, helping to sustain employment for their suppliers for the next six to eight years. (See notes to editors.)
-- £14M for water-tight fire doors by Marine Systems Technology, which will guarantee at least three years’ of production at two sites in Cheshire.
-- £3M for ship lighting and lighting distribution panels by McGeoch Technology Ltd, based in Birmingham.
-- £2M for the supply of glass reinforced epoxy pipes and fittings by Pipex Ltd, based in Plymouth. This contract potentially underpins the continual employment of Pipex’s 120 strong workforce.
-- £790K for laundry equipment by Kempsafe Ltd, based in Southampton, sustaining staffing levels within the company.
-- £500K for galley furniture by CED Fabrications Ltd, based in East Lancashire, sustaining five jobs in the company.
-- £484K for integrated Internet Protocol TV by Telindus Ltd, based in Hampshire
-- £343K for the design phase of the wireless communication system by Selex Communications Ltd. The company’s Basildon site will provide support and infrastructure for the radios.
-- £280K for cable transit frames by MCT Brattberg Ltd, based in Haslingden, Lancashire.
BACKGROUND NOTES:
1. Over £700M worth of equipment and materials are already on contract for the two ships and construction work is underway in Glasgow, Rosyth and Appledore (Devon). This will expand further in the coming months as involvement grows across the UK. Sections of the flight deck called the sponsons were delivered to Babcock’s Rosyth dockyard from Appledore in Devon, at the end of August.
2. The UK's new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers are being constructed by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA) which consists of Thales UK, BAE Systems, BVT Surface Fleet, Babcock and the Ministry of Defence, which acts as both participant and client.
3. The sub-contract for wholeship valves has been placed with Score Marine Ltd, by BVT Surface Fleet on behalf of the ACA. Score Marine will supply approximately 12,000 valves for each carrier for a wide range of functions.
4. The sub-contract for the Integrated Waste Management System (IWMS) has been placed with Babcock Strachan and Henshaw. The various components making up this innovative system will enable the ship to meet projected future environmental standards. The package includes:
-- Waste water treatment, supplied by Hamworthy Water Systems Ltd
-- Solid waste and food waste systems, supplied by Deerberg Systems
-- Oily water separation, supplied by GEA Westfalia
-- Black water vacuum collection, supplied by MRH Marine
-- Pyrolysis (thermal destruction of waste), supplied by QinetiQ
5. The sub-contract for Inside Fire Doors and Hatches has been awarded to Marine Systems Technology Ltd (MST). MST will supply major door systems which will provide high fire protection throughout the ship.
6. The sub-contracts for Ship Lighting and Distribution Panels have been awarded to McGeoch Technology Ltd, by BVT Surface Fleet on behalf of the ACA. McGeoch will supply all the general and emergency lighting for the ships along with the distribution panels necessary to power and control the lighting.
7. The sub-contract for Glass Reinforced Epoxy (GRE) Pipes & Fittings has been placed with Pipex Ltd, based in Plymouth by BVT Surface Fleet on behalf of the ACA. Pipex will supply pipes and fittings to enable the following systems – Chilled Water Distribution, Ballast Pipes (to be filled with sea water), Cooling Systems, Waste/Hot Water Systems.
8. The sub-contract for Laundry Equipment has been placed with Kempsafe ltd, by BVT Surface Fleet on behalf of the ACA. This equipment will support washing, drying and pressing services to keep the Royal Navy uniforms in pristine condition.
9. The sub-contract for Galley Furniture has been placed with CED Fabrications Ltd, by BVT Surface Fleet on behalf of the ACA. CED will supply stainless steel bespoke fabrication for various galley areas including work tables, sinks and storage cupboards.
10. The sub-contract for Integrated Recreational Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) has been placed with Telindus Ltd, by BAE Systems on behalf of the ACA. Telindus will implement a system to provide TV, video, radio and digital storage on board the ships.
11. The sub-contract for the Wireless Communications System has been placed with Selex Communication Ltd, by Thales Naval on behalf of the ACA. Selex will supply reliable and high-availability communications providing seamless coverage, both above and below decks.
12. The sub-contract for the Cable Transit Frames has been placed with MCT Brattberg Ltd, by BVT Surface Fleet on behalf of the ACA. Multi-Cable Transits are for use in penetrations where cable and / or pipes are required to penetrate a rated structure (i.e. bulkhead, deckhead, floorpanel or enclosure).
14. Key Ship Facts:
-- The carriers will together provide four acres of sovereign territory with global access.
-- The flight deck will support an air wing capable of delivering significant offensive air power to support the battle ashore for prolonged periods of time.
-- Specifically developed to provide a base for the UK version of the future fifth generation of the US Joint Strike Fighter. Capable of carrying the widest possible range of aircraft in support of operations.
-- The carriers will each weigh 65,000 tonnes, be 280m long and 70m wide. A ship of this size is necessary to deliver the quantity of air power required.
-- The ships will be capable of 25 knots.
-- They will have a total complement (with air group) of approximately 1500 people
Hawker Beechcraft Delivers First T-6B Trainer Aircraft to U.S. Navy
Source: Hawker Beechcraft Corp.
WICHITA, Kan. --- Hawker Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) today announced the delivery of its first two T-6B aircraft, the avionics upgrade variant of the highly successful T-6A trainer, to the U.S. Navy. The Navy took possession of the aircraft (designated PN-1 and PN-2) at HBC’s headquarters in Wichita, Kan. From Wichita, the aircraft were flown to Whiting Field in Florida. The Navy is expected to acquire more than 260 T-6B aircraft to replace the aging T-34 fleet.
“The T-6B aircraft represent the future of Navy primary pilot training,” said Jim Maslowski, president, U.S. and International Government Business. “We are pleased with our partnership with the U.S. Navy and proud to supply this training aircraft for military student pilots.”
Full rate production of the T-6B avionics upgrade and flight training for the initial cadre of Navy pilots began at the HBC facility in Wichita, Kan., following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification. Deliveries of Navy aircraft will continue in December 2009, with 15 T-6B aircraft delivered by April 2010 for Initial Operating Capability for Navy student pilot training.
The T-6B avionics upgrade combines the best of the highly successful T-6A primary trainer, in use today by the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, with a glass cockpit configuration that includes three multi-function displays, hands-on-throttle-and-stick functionality, and Head-Up Display. The T-6B provides primary pilot training with enhanced capabilities in air-to-air and air-to-ground mission areas.
USS Biddle DLG/CG-34
Today’s website is the USS Biddle DLG/CG-34. Enjoy.
Website
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1899 - Gunboat Concord and monitor Monterey capture two insurgent schooners at Aparri, Philippine Islands.
1939 - Atlantic Squadron Neutrality Patrol ships deploy.
1976 - USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) and destroyer Bordelon (DD 881) collide during night operations 100 miles north of Scotland.
Photo of the Day
Seaman Crystal Rangel, assigned to the amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), stitches the sleeve of a Kevlar mooring line.
Gator
