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



Review - Flyhawk’s 1:700 Naval figures
MSW Crewmember Anthony Kochevar [ajkochev] shares his thought on Flyhawk’s 1:700 Naval figures.. Enjoy.


Review - Flyhawk’s 1:700 U-Boat VIIB PE
MSW Crewmember Anthony Kochevar [ajkochev] shares his thought on Flyhawk’s 1:700 U-Boat VIIB PE.. Enjoy.




New Chain Gun Installation Aboard USS Ingraham
Source: US Navy

EVERETT, Wash. --- USS Ingraham (FFG 61), of Destroyer Squadron 9 welcomed a new addition in July with the installation of the MK38 MOD II 25mm chain gun.

Ingraham is the first frigate in the fleet to receive the new system, but it has been utilized on other classes of Navy ships.

The new system, which was updated from the legacy MK38 MOD I 25mm, is completely automated and does not need to be fired manually like the old system. By taking legacy equipment still in the fleet and updating it to meet the ever-growing threats at sea, the Navy can perform duties more efficiently and effectively.

It uses a state-of-the-art electro-optical sight, a camera that can be used independently of the gun. It enables the operators to see tracks more than 10,000 yards and uses a laser range-finder to measure the distance to a target, explained Ingraham's Electronics Material Officer and Assistant Combat Systems Officer Ensign Brandon Gilstrap, of Jacksonville, Ark.

The gun's mount is controlled in Ingraham's Combat Information Center (CIC) by the Remote Operator Console (ROC). The gunner sits at the ROC and tracks incoming vessels using the video from the mount. "The system is able to auto-track the oncoming vessel until the tactical action officer gives the gunner orders on the deployment of warning shots or direct fire," said Gilstrap.

This system enables Ingraham to defend the ship more effectively even with reduced manpower.

"It is an honor for Ingraham to be chosen as the test platform for the FFG class," said Gilstrap. "Our reputation for being 'the last and finest' has helped iron out the bugs for future FFG installations."


Northrop Grumman Demonstrates New Underwater Encapsulation Launch of Non-Marinized Payloads
Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. --- Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully demonstrated the underwater launch of a "non-marinized" payload -- a payload not designed to be subjected to the undersea environment -- by launching a Raytheon AIM-9X air-to-air test missile shape from a submerged Tomahawk Capsule Launching System (CLS).

Conducted at the Army's Aberdeen Test Center in Aberdeen, Md., under the Littoral Warfare Weapon (LWW) project, this test marks the first time an AIM-9X test missile shape has been launched underwater. The launch demonstrates a new degree of submarine self-defense capability against threats from coastal surveillance aircraft, helicopters and high-speed small craft. LWW is a joint teaming effort between PEO Submarines, Northrop Grumman and prime contractor of the project, Raytheon.

"This test demonstrates that underwater launch payloads no longer need to be designed and built to withstand the rigors of the undersea environment," said David Perry, vice president of Northrop Grumman's Marine Systems business unit. "By adapting the encapsulation technology Northrop Grumman pioneered for the Tomahawk CLS, we have removed a significant barrier to launching many types of airborne payloads."

Northrop Grumman's demonstrated encapsulation system opens the door to submarine launch of a wide variety of defensive, offensive, communications, and ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) payloads without needing to adapt such payloads to survive in an undersea environment.




Solazyme Wins Navy Contract to Provide World's First 100% Algal Based Jet Fuel
Source: Solazyme, Inc.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. --- Solazyme, Inc., has been selected by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to provide 1,500 gallons of the world’s first 100% algae derived jet fuel for testing and certification by the U.S. Navy. Solazyme is the renewable oil production company and leader in algal synthetic biology, who earlier this month was awarded a separate Navy contract to provide R&D and delivery of over 20,000 gallons of renewable algae derived F-76 Naval distillate fuel for use in Navy ships.

In fulfillment of the jet fuel contract, Solazyme will utilize its innovative large-scale algal renewable oil production process in conjunction with renewable jet fuel processing technology from Honeywell’s UOP. Together they will provide renewable jet fuel for testing and fuel certification to confirm it meets all military specifications and functional requirements.

The contract calls for delivery of 1500 gallons of SolaHRJET-5 renewable algae derived jet fuel to the Navy for compatibility testing next year. Solazyme’s renewable SolaHRJET-5 is designed to meet all of the requirements for naval renewable aviation fuel. This agreement between Solazyme and the DoD comes almost a year after Solazyme announced making the world’s first 100% algae derived jet fuel.

Solazyme’s algal-aviation fuel, as analyzed in September 2008 by the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), one of the nation’s leading fuel analytical laboratories, passed all eleven of the key specifications tested in order to meet the ASTM D1655 standard for Aviation Turbine Fuel. The tested specifications included the key measurements for density, thermal oxidative stability, flashpoint, freezing point, distillation and viscosity among others.

“Fuels made with our leading algal technology reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 85% versus standard petroleum based fuels. We are honored to be working with the U.S. Navy to make one of the world’s newest and cleanest fuel through this contract for large scale delivery and testing of renewable advanced biofuels that meet the military’s demanding specifications for renewable jet fuel,” said Jonathan Wolfson, chief executive officer of Solazyme. “Since producing the world’s first algae derived jet fuel in September 2008, we have focused our research on developing a process to scale production at a commercial level while driving down costs.”

“The Navy, the Defense Energy Support Center, the Defense Logistics Agency and the entire Department of Defense, have taken the lead in finding green alternatives to current petroleum based jet fuels to address both the national energy security needs of our country and the environmental challenges facing our planet,” Wolfson added.

Solazyme’s technology will help the DoD reduce its carbon footprint, combat global climate change and lead in the development of clean and renewable energy sources. Reducing our dependence on foreign oil is a national security imperative, and Solazyme’s technology focuses on producing an abundant, domestic and renewable source for oil and fuels. Solazyme has already produced Soladiesel diesel fuels that meet ASTM, EU, and certain military specifications, and recently signed an additional contract with the Department of Defense to supply Soladiesel F-76 renewable F-76 fuel which is a naval distillate fuel used in ships.


Solazyme, Inc. is a renewable oil and bioproducts company and the leader in algal biotechnology. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in South San Francisco, Solazyme’s unique technology allows algae to produce oil and biomaterials in standard fermentation facilities quickly, efficiently and at large scale.




Canadian Coast Guard

Today’s website is Canadian Coast Guard. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1800 - United States concludes Treaty of Peace with France, ending Quasi War with France.
1944 - USS Nautilus (SS 168) lands supplies and evacuates people from Panay, Philipppine Islands.
1946 - U.S. government announces Navy units would be permanently stationed in the Mediterranean to carry out American policy and diplomacy.
1954 - Commissioning at Groton, Conn., of USS Nautilus (SSN 571), the world's first nuclear-powered ship.
1958 - Marines leave Lebanon.
1959 - Last flight of airships assigned to the Naval Air Reserve at Lakehurst, N.J., takes place.
1968 - USS New Jersey (BB 62) arrives off Vietnam.


Photo of the Day



Sailors in a rigid hull inflatable boat from the Dutch navy fast combat support ship HNLMS Amsterdam (A386) approach a suspicious vessel to conduct a visit, board, search and seizure training scenario during the multinational training exercise Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX 2009.

Gator