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



Karl Dönitz Instalment 3
News writer Sean Ford brings us installment three of our brief mini-series focused on the career Karl Dönitz. Enjoy.




Northrop Grumman to Supply Advanced Navigation Systems for Brazil Navy Patrol Craft
Source: Northrop Grumman

LONDON --- Northrop Grumman Corporation's Sperry Marine business unit has been selected by the Brazil navy to supply state-of-the-art navigation systems for four new NAPA 500-ton patrol vessels, with options for six additional vessels.

Sperry Marine will supply integrated bridge systems based on its new-generation VisionMaster FT navigation technology, including VisionMaster FT consoles, an electronic chart display and information system, navigation radars, heading and speed sensors, echosounder, steering control, mission data recorder and other subsystems. Sperry Marine will also supply MK 27F fiber-optic attitude and heading reference systems for the vessels under a separate contract.

Sperry Marine previously won contracts to supply the same systems for the first two ships of the NAPA 500 class, which are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2009.

"Sperry Marine's selection to be the preferred supplier of navigation systems for this new class of patrol boats builds on our more than 30-year relationship with the Brazil navy," said J. Nolasco DaCunha, vice president of Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine.

Victor Cruz, senior manager, Latin America defense business, Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine, said, "The new ships will be equipped with a suite of state-of-the-art integrated navigation and ship control systems designed specifically to meet the unique space constraints and mission requirements of these coastal patrol vessels."

Cruz noted that Sperry Marine is also under multi-phase contracts to upgrade inertial navigation systems and navigation radars across the Brazil navy fleet.


Raytheon Awarded $19 Million Contract for Lightweight Torpedoes
Source: Raytheon Company

TEWKSBURY, Mass. --- Raytheon Company has received a $19.3 million U.S. Navy contract to provide MK54 lightweight torpedo hardware.

With this award, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) is under contract to deliver 241 MK54 kits, of which 100 kits will be delivered to the Turkish Navy via a Foreign Military Sales agreement.

"We are working with our Navy customer and advancing the reliability and effectiveness of both light and heavyweight torpedoes," said Charles "Tom" Bush, IDS' vice president of Seapower Capability Systems. "Our dedication to quality and execution stems from our commitment to deliver the most capable undersea warfare weapons to the U.S. Navy and naval fleets around the world."

Raytheon IDS is the U.S. Navy's sole production supplier for light and heavyweight torpedoes. The company works directly with the Navy to meet the torpedo requirements of U.S. and allied fleets.

Together, the Navy and Raytheon have formed a total enterprise partnership, Team Torpedo, dedicated to the design and production of the world's most capable torpedoes. Raytheon's Team Torpedo combines manufacturing, design engineering, and support services expertise with the systems engineering and testing capabilities of Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) operations in Newport, R.I., and Keyport, Wash.

Work on the contracts will be performed at Raytheon's Torpedo and Readiness Center, co-located with the U.S. Navy at NUWC Division Keyport, Wash., and at the Seapower Capability Center, Portsmouth, R.I.

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.




Northrop Grumman Delivers Final Production E-2C Hawkeye
Source: Northrop Grumman Corp

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. --- With U.S. Navy leadership, federal, state and local government officials, and Northrop Grumman's employees looking on, the U.S. Navy today took delivery of its 21st, and final production E-2C Hawkeye 2000 aircraft. The delivery event was held at the company's East Coast Aircraft Manufacturing and Flight Test Center, known as the "Home of the Hawkeye."

Accepting the aircraft on behalf of the U.S. Navy was Rear Adm. Richard O'Hanlon, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic. "This is a significant milestone for Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy. Over the past 40 years, various models of E-2 Hawkeye have truly served as the eyes of the fleet in its critical role of providing operational commanders airborne early warning and command and control. As threats have evolved, so has the Hawkeye's capability. It is truly an integral part of the U.S. Navy's 'First Line of Defense.'"

The E-2C Hawkeye 2000 began service with the U.S. Navy in 2005 as a powerful upgrade to the E-2C airborne early warning and control platform, the first carrier-based aircraft designed from the outset for this mission set. Currently, there are more than 100 E-2 Hawkeye aircraft operating worldwide, with almost one-third of those being flown by international customers. With its commercial-off-the-shelf based architecture and network-centric connectivity, the Hawkeye 2000 is an extremely capable multi-mission platform, performing simultaneous air and surface surveillance, strike and intercept control, search and rescue support, and drug interdiction.

"As we deliver the final E-2C, I am reminded of the strong legacy this aircraft is built on," said Tom Vice, sector vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems' Battle Management and Engagement Systems Division. "At Northrop Grumman, we have a reputation for being committed to strong program performance and a skilled workforce that is committed to meeting our contractual obligations to our customer. As we deliver the final E-2C, we are preparing to transition to the next generation of force protection -- the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye -- which will provide a two-generational leap forward in new technology."

Northrop Grumman introduced the sixth generation of the E-2, the Advanced Hawkeye in 2007. With an external appearance similar to the E-2C, the systems of the Advanced Hawkeye have been completely redesigned and the capabilities are vastly expanded. With its newly developed, more powerful AN/APY-9 Electronic Scan Array (ESA) radar, the E-2D will provide the warfighter with the expanded battlespace and situational awareness required for today's and tomorrow's mission.

At the delivery ceremony, the final E-2C and the first E-2D pilot production aircraft formed the backdrop for the speakers. Northrop Grumman is producing three pilot production E2-D aircraft which are on-track for delivery in 2010 under a $408 million contract awarded in July 2007. Following successful completion of a Milestone C review, a $432 million contract was awarded in June for Low-Rate Initial Production. The Navy's Program of Record is for 75 total aircraft.




Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Today’s website is Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The RNLI is the charity that provides a 24-hour lifesaving service around the UK and Republic of Ireland. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1822 - Sloop-of-war Peacock captures five pirate vessels.
1850 - Congress outlaws flogging on Navy ships.
1923 - Navy aircraft take first and second places in international Schneider Cup Race.
1944 - Marines occupy islands in Palaus under cover of naval aircraft and gunfire support.
1964 - First deployment of Polaris A-3 missile on USS Daniel Webster (SSBN 626) from Charleston, S.C.


Photo of the Day



Fowey Trent class all-weather lifeboat and D class inshore lifeboat on exercise in Par Bay. The picture was taken to mark the lifeboat station's 150th anniversary in 2009. Photo courtesy of RNLI.

Gator