Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Feature - USS Ronald Reagan, CVN76
Kostas Kateas [angeleyes] brings us a wonderful build of the US Navy’s tribute to Ronald Wilson Reagan, USS Ronald Reagan, CVN76.
Technology to Combat Piracy In the High Seas
Source: BAE Systems
LONDON, United Kingdom --- A sophisticated electronic early warning system aimed at combating soaring levels of piracy on the high seas has been developed by engineers at BAE Systems.
The company is working in partnership with major ship owners, to assess commercial requirements in order to create the most effective solution to this increasing threat to maritime security.
As a result, the team at BAE Systems has used its expertise in the defence, security and aerospace sectors to develop a suite of technology that enables a crew to detect a ship and identify suspicious activity at distances of up to 25km, long before pirate vessels become a threat. The early warning system gives the crew the vital time needed to take evasive action or alert navies to the danger.
Nick Stoppard, BAE Systems Director of Solutions Development said: “Piracy is on the rise. Attacks in 2008 were double those of the previous year and there is a clear need for better methods to help commercial ships identify and evade pirates before an attack occurs. We have used our expertise in security engineering, technical analysis, systems design and integration to develop a layered defence system to improve the safety and security of ships and their crew.
“This technology is just one aspect of work that we are undertaking across BAE Systems to address emerging global security issues.”
The system draws on a range of current capabilities developed by BAE Systems and includes:
-- High Frequency Surface Wave Radar to detect small boats well beyond the horizon at up to 25km
--Panoramic Area Surveillance System 360° video camera and display system to provide visual identification. It includes movement detection and threat level alarms, with plans to incorporate infra-red
--Passive Radar Identification System (PRISM) to provide early warning of an unidentified radar carrying vessel
--Improved lighting to increase the likelihood of detecting intruders within the immediate vicinity of the ship at night and act as a deterrent
BAE Systems is currently undertaking a feasibility study into the use of this technology with ship owners and specialists from security organisations. Technology and capability sea trials in partnership with ship owners are expected to take place within the first three months of next year.
Royal Navy's Most Advanced Attack Submarine Prepares for Sea Trials
Source: BAE Systems
BARROW-IN-FURNESS, UK. --- The largest, most powerful and stealthiest nuclear attack submarine ever built for the Royal Navy is preparing to leave the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness for sea trials.
BAE Systems is responsible for the design, build and initial in-service support for the Astute submarine class currently under construction at the company's shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness. The first of class HMS Astute is undergoing final test and commissioning work before leaving for extensive sea trials prior to entering service with the Royal Navy.
A further three Astute class vessels, Ambush, Artful and Audacious are currently under construction with long lead orders placed for equipment for a fifth submarine. The keel for Audacious was laid at the shipyard earlier this year.
Design and construction of the Astute class involves over 7,000 design drawings and more than 1 million components.
The construction method for a nuclear submarine means that the first of class presents the challenges of both a prototype and a first production model, with many of the design elements proved and refined during the construction cycle, takes from concept design to a finished nuclear powered submarine.
Powered by a nuclear reactor more complex than those found in power stations, Astute is designed to operate over 25 years without refuelling, patrolling for up to 90 days submerged and undetected.
Safety is a primary consideration as the boat's 98 crew live and work in close proximity to the reactor while operating in the harshest environment on the planet, the deep ocean.
Astute is capable of undertaking a variety of mission roles including anti-ship and anti submarine action, intelligence gathering and support for land forces. She is armed with heavyweight Spearfish torpedoes and Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles capable of delivering pinpoint strikes up to 1000 kilometres from the coast. Astute is also equipped with the latest stealth technology to avoid detection and the advanced Sonar 2076 system to locate and identify other vessels.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1779 - Captain John Paul Jones, in Continental Navy frigate Bonhomme Richard, captures HMS Serapis.
1931 - Lt. Alfred Pride pilots Navy's first rotary wing aircraft, XOP-1 autogiro, in landings and takeoffs aboard USS Langley (CV 1) while underway.
1944 - Naval Task Group lands Army troops on Ulithi Atoll, Caroline Islands.
1944 - USS West Virginia (BB 48) reaches Pearl Harbor and rejoins the Pacific Fleet, marking the end of the salvage and reconstruction of 18 ships damaged Dec. 7, 1941.
1947 - James Forrestal, former Secretary of the Navy, takes office as the first Secretary of Defense.
1990 - Two hospital ships -- USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) and USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) -- steam together for the first time in the Arabian Gulf.
Photo of the Day
The Netherlands Royal Navy De Zeven Provincien-class frigate HNLMS Tromp (F-803) comes along side the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75).
Gator
