Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Review - LionRoar IJN Cable Reels 1/350
Join Associate Editor Jim Adams for a for a first look review of LionRoar's IJN Cable Reels in 1/350 scale. Enjoy.
Review
Thales Introduces I-Mast 100
Source: Thales
DSEi --- Thales introduces the I-Mast 100 integrated sensor and communication system for naval vessels.
I-Mast 100 is a central mast structure that houses all of a ship's radar and optronic sensors, most of the communication antennas and all associated cabinets and peripherals.
The advantages of this sensor concept are numerous: improved operational performance, higher operational availability, reduced ship-building time, reduced maintenance requirements and substantial savings in below-deck space.
The I-Mast 100 concept has been validated before its formal introduction with numerous navies and shipyards around the world.
I-Mast 100 is the second member of Thales's I-Mast family. At present the I-Mast 400 is being built at Thales's Hengelo facility. The first system is scheduled to be installed on the Royal Dutch Navy's Holland class Patrol Ship at the end of 2010.
Introducing the I-Mast 100 demonstrates once more Thales's leading position worldwide in naval sensor systems.
I-Mast 100 is a system that integrates practically all of a naval vessels sensors and antennas in one enclosed topside structure. It offers unrivalled operational performance and a 360° unobstructed view for all sensors. The problem of electromagnetic interference has been solved by studying all of a ship's topside elements instead of looking at separate systems. Survivability has been increased as the I-Mast offers a high level of redundancy and by incorporating solid-state technology. Continuous operation is guaranteed.
I-Mast 100 houses a sensor architecture that uses open interface standards and common building blocks. This unique comprehensive solution reduces the need for dedicated sensor maintainers, requires less training and offers simple status monitoring by a web-based built-in test system that provides information on all systems integrated in the I-Mast. Thus I-Mast 100 supports reduced manning concepts. Maintenance can be performed from the interior, under adverse weather conditions. This reduces overall operational costs even further.
While the shipyard concentrates on its core business of shipbuilding, Thales simultaneously integrates and tests all of the sensors in the I-Mast structure. Thales guarantees the performance of the I Mast and tests the full performance before it is delivered to the shipyard as a turn-key system for installation on the ship. This procedure eliminates complicated and lengthy installation activities. Sea trials to demonstrate the operation of the ship's sensors and antennas can be reduced substantially.
I-Mast 100 offers a flexible, scalable design. The system uses much of the knowledge and experience obtained from the construction of the I-Mast 400 for the Royal Netherlands Navy's Holland class Patrol Ships, thus reducing development risks to a minimum. The sensors in I-Mast 100 share technology with the successful Ground Master 400, also on display at DSEi.
Raytheon Unveils SPY-5 -- an Affordable, Advanced Naval X-Band Radar
Source: Raytheon Company
TEWKSBURY, Mass. --- Raytheon Company has developed a new naval radar -- AN/SPY-5, a multitracking, target-illuminating system for surface combatants that can simultaneously search, detect and precisely track multiple surface and air threats.
The Raytheon-developed SPY-5 is an open architecture, phased-array radar system, providing an advanced and affordable self-defense solution for small and large surface ships operating in the littorals and other maritime environments.
"SPY-5 is an affordable, effective and reliable radar system that provides critical capabilities for naval forces around the globe," said Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' Charles "Tom" Bush, vice president of Seapower Capability Systems. "The radar delivers the capabilities of multiple radar systems to counter a broad range of threats in a single, cost-effective solution."
SPY-5's mission capabilities include low-altitude horizon search; focused volume search; surface search; missile and surface gunfire control; simultaneous threat illumination; and missile midcourse guidance and terminal homing -- capabilities previously only achievable through multiple radar solutions. These tasks can be performed simultaneously with an innovative advanced radio frequency phase shifter phased-array system technology.
An open architecture system, SPY-5 is compatible with all digital combat management systems, and the radar's range, accuracy and beam agility enable the full performance of the Evolved SeaSparrow Missile. The radar's high level of compatibility with existing combat systems maximizes the ship's firepower with minimal alterations or added costs.
The radar delivers all of the performance benefits of larger, heavier and more costly active array systems while providing full 360-degree azimuth coverage via three 120-degree beam faces. SPY-5's size, weight and overall self-defense capabilities make it equally well suited for smaller navy ships with a displacement of less than 1,000 tons as well as large-deck aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships.
SPY-5's X-band energy is generated by the proven and widely deployed MK 73 solid-state transmitter system. Because the system uses transmitters that are already installed, upgrading and modernizing many existing systems is greatly simplified and can be accomplished at a relatively low cost. In addition, SPY-5 is designed for continuous operation for extended mission periods.
Mobile Riverine Force Association
Today’s website is the Mobile Riverine Force Association. This website gives a history of the Mobile Riverine Force and the 9th Infantry in Vietnam. Enjoy.
Website
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1858 - Sloop Niagara departs Charleston, S.C., for Liberia with African slaves rescued from slave ship.
1923 - Asiatic Fleet completes mission of aiding earthquake victims in Japan.
1939 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt asks Congress to repeal the arms embargo provision of the Neutrality Act.
1944 - Aircraft from 12 carriers commence two-day attack against Japanese ships and airfields on Luzon, Philippine Islands.
1984 - Mid-East Force begins escort of U.S.-flagged vessels in Persian Gulf.
Photo of the Day
The Virginia-class attack submarine USS Texas (SSN 775) exits the Thames River as it departs Naval Submarine Base New London for the final time. Texas is transiting to its new homeport in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Gator
