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



Article - USS Slater (DE-766)
News writer Sean Ford presents us with a history of the USS Slater (DE-766). Enjoy.
Article




Raytheon Delivers Critical Mine Countermeasure Capabilities to U.S. Navy Fleet
Source: Raytheon Company

TEWKSBURY, Mass. --- Raytheon Company has delivered the next-generation AN/AQS-20A Minehunting Sonar and AN/ASQ-235 Airborne Mine Neutralization System to the U.S. Navy.

As stated during an AMNS ribbon-cutting ceremony, "Fielding systems as promised is what makes a great industry partner!" said Donna Carson-Jelley, Navy program manager for Minewarfare (PMS 495).

Considered critical components of the Navy's organic mine countermeasure arsenal, the advanced technologies of these systems have the potential to vastly improve the safety, effectiveness and efficiency of mine countermeasure missions and truly take the sailor out of the minefield.

"With AN/AQS-20A and AMNS, we are delivering a comprehensive, end-to-end solution - detect to neutralize - enabling the Navy to safely and effectively execute its mission without risk to its ships or crews," said IDS' Charles "Tom" Bush, vice president of Seapower Capability Systems.

"I am particularly pleased with the progress that the AN/AQS-20A team has made. I am looking forward to an aggressive schedule leading to a successful operational evaluation," said U.S. Navy Captain Paul Siegrist, program manager for Unmanned Maritime Vehicles (PMS 403). "The advancements of the AN/AQS-20A bring our minehunting capabilities to the next level. The flexibility and adaptability of the system allow us to effectively deploy from both the MH-60S helicopter and also from the Remote Minehunting System, extending our ability to effectively and efficiently ensure the safety of the fleet."

Both of the low rate initial production models of the AN/AQS-20A Minehunting Sonar and the AN/ASQ-235 Airborne Mine Neutralization System will be extensively tested so that when the programs enter full production they will meet all fleet expectations.

Supporting mine-clearing operations in both deep-ocean and littoral waters, AN/AQS-20A detects, localizes and identifies bottom, close-tethered and volume mines, and AMNS re-acquires and neutralizes mines found by AN/AQS-20A.

Both systems have been integrated into the MH-60S and the MH-53E airborne mine countermeasures helicopters. Additionally, the AN/AQS-20A has also been operated from the AN/WLD-1 Remote Minehunting System, an unmanned surface vehicle. AN/AQS-20A and AMNS are essential capabilities planned for integration into the mine countermeasure mission package for the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship.

The AN/AQS-20A system is towed undersea to scan the water in front and to the sides of the vehicle as well as below for anti-shipping mines. The system uses sonar and electro-optical sensors to provide high-resolution images of mines and mine-like objects as well as high-precision location information.

AMNS is deployed from the MH-60S multimission helicopter to locate and destroy underwater anti-shipping mines previously detected by the AN/AQS-20A mine hunting sonar. The system consists of a helicopter-based control console as well as a launch and handling system equipped with four unmanned Archerfish(TM) neutralizer vehicles that destroy mines via remote control from the operator in the helicopter.

Developmental and operational testing of the AN/AQS-20A and AMNS began in 2002. Under the current contracts, Raytheon will deliver a total of 20 AN/AQS-20A systems by January 2011 and five AMNS by December 2009.

Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Global Capabilities Integration, providing affordable, integrated solutions to a broad international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency, the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Homeland Security.


MSC Accepts Navy's Newest Combat Logistics Ship – USNS Wally Schirra
Source: U.S Navy

SAN DIEGO --- Military Sealift Command (MSC) accepted delivery of dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE in San Diego Sept. 1. The ship was built by General Dynamics NASSCO.

Schirra, named in honor of astronaut Walter "Wally" Schirra, is the eighth ship in the Lewis and Clark-class of underway replenishment ships. These ships – called T-AKEs – deliver ammunition, provisions, stores, spare parts, potable water and petroleum products to the Navy's underway carrier and expeditionary strike groups allowing them to stay at sea, on station and combat ready for extended periods of time.

"Not only have the T-AKEs greatly improved MSC's ability to deliver vital supplies to our Navy's deployed strike groups worldwide, but the flexibility in operations of this new class of ships has also enabled us to support a range of other missions," said Capt. Jerome Hamel, commanding officer of MSC's office in San Diego, Sealift Logistics Command Pacific. "For example, USNS Richard Byrd 9T-AKE 4) is currently deployed on a humanitarian and civic assistance mission in the Western Pacific for the U.S. Pacific Command."

In September, the 689-foot Schirra will go on a short "shakedown cruise" where the ship's crew will test a range of shipboard operations. Schirra is anticipated to begin conducting missions for MSC in May 2010.

Schirra is crewed by 124 civil service mariners working for MSC and 11 Sailors who provide operational support and supply coordination. When needed, Schirra can also carry a helicopter detachment.

The Navy expects to build 14 T-AKEs, which are replacing some of MSC's aging, single-mission ships such as Kilauea-class ammunition ships and Mars- and Sirius-class combat stores ships that are nearing the end of their service lives.




Technisches Museum U 995

Today’s website is the Technisches Museum U 995. The U 995 has found its final destination at the Ostsee beach just a few kilometres from Kiel. The Kriegsmarine put 603 submarines of this type (VIIC/41) into service between 1939 and 1944. It was one of the most important submarine types of the Second World War. From 1943 till 1945 the U 995 fulfilled several missions against allied convoys heading for Murmansk.

In 1945 the submarine was captured by the allies and from then it served in the Norwegian navy. The submarine was stricken from Norwegian service in 1965 and the Norwegians offered the German government the boat in 1965 for a token price of 1DM, but they refused. Thankfully the German Navy League (DMB) stepped in, paid the price and took over the boat, provided the space and turned her into a memorial in October 1971.

The U 995 is in a very good condition, looking like it has just returned from a mission. You can walk around the submarine but unfortunately you can't get on the bridge. This museum is worth a trip to the north of Germany. You can also visit the Marine Memorial in Laboe, on top of which you'll have a great view over the area. Enjoy.
Website


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1861 - Union landing party from USS Massachusetts takes possession of Ship Island south of New Orleans. This was the headquarters for Adm. David Farragut's Gulf Coast Blockading Squadron.
1895 - Battleship Maine commissioned.
1902 - Detachment of Sailors and Marines land from cruiser Cincinnati (C 7) to protect American property at Colon, Panama.
1944 - Navy Task Force lands Army troops on Angaur, Palau Islands, supported by Navy carrier aircraft and shore bombardment.


Photo of the Day



Seaman Sarah Rickett, assigned to USS Constitution, demonstrates how Sailors in the past would prepare a cannon for firing.

Gator