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



Feature - MS Wilhelm Gustloff

MSW crew-mate Peter Fulgoney (PeterF), takes us on a journey back into time with his build and presentation of "Codename “Hannibal” , the sailing of MS Wilhelm Gustloff " in this "On Display" build feature.




Navy Beats Army Again
Source: US Navy

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (NNS) -- The Navy Midshipmen beat the Army Corps of Cadets at the 110th Army-Navy game held at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia Dec. 12.

With a prevailing score of 17-3, the Navy Midshipmen beat the Army Black Knights for the eighth consecutive time, bringing the overall record to 55-49-7.

"It's not only a collegiate tradition, it's an American tradition and it's a great game," said distinguished guest Chief of Naval Operations, Gary Roughead. "I appreciate the enthusiasm of the crowd and the enthusiasm of the American people for the young men and women who choose to serve. The young men and women that make up the Brigade of Midshipman and the Corps of Cadets are the finest young men and women in the world. It's a great day in uniform. I thank them for that."


DCNS Awarded Contracts Worth EUR 1bn to Maintain French Navy’s SSNs and SSBNs
Source: DCNS

The French Navy has formally awarded DCNS two major contracts for through-life support services for its nuclear-powered submarine fleets. The first is for TLS for six nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) for five years; the second for TLS for nuclear-powered ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs) for five-and-a-half years.

“The signing of these TLS contracts for the French Navy’s submarines once again highlights our prime customer’s confidence in DCNS services,” says DCNS Chairman & CEO Patrick Boissier. “The maintenance of these submarines calls for industrial resources and know-how that only DCNS can offer the French Navy. We are proud to contribute to the unbroken support of our country’s standing sea-based nuclear deterrent force.”

The SSN contract, worth over EUR 500 million, calls for Toulon-based TLS services from 2010 to 2014, including:
-- routine maintenance for six Rubis-type SSNs (Rubis, Saphir, Casabianca, Émeraude, Améthyste and Perle), including engineering and logistic support;
-- major refits, or complete overhauls lasting 18 months, for three (Casabianca, Rubis and Émeraude), including the removal, refurbishment and refitting of all subsystems and equipment;
-- intermediate refit, including reactor refuelling, lasting nine months, for SSN Saphir.

This contract also requires that DCNS upgrade and provide TLS services for key French Navy facilities, specifically the INBS nuclear facility in the Toulon naval base’s Missiessy zone and the tactical simulator at the ENSM (École de Navigation Sous-Marine) naval school.

The second contract is for TLS services for SSBNs operated by the Navy’s Strategic Ocean Force (FOST). This contract, worth some EUR 500 million, calls for Brest-based services from November 2009 to December 2015, including:
-- routine maintenance for Le Triomphant-class SSBNs Le Triomphant, Le Téméraire, Le Vigilant, and Le Terrible, including engineering and logistic support and outfitting SSBN Le Terrible for the new M51 ballistic missile;
-- TLS services for crew training facilities;
-- TLS services for specific French Navy systems;
-- TLS services for shore-based facilities, including FOST relay antenna stations.




Insitu's ScanEagle Conducts Successful Maritime Demonstration for Canadian Navy
Source: Insitu Inc.

BINGEN, Wash. --- Insitu Inc., a Boeing subsidiary, today announced a successful flight demonstration of its first ScanEagle unmanned aircraft system (UAS) aboard Canadian Naval vessel HMCS GLACE BAY (MM 701). HMCS GLACE BAY is a Kingston-class coastal defence vessel that has been serving the Canadian Forces since 1996.

“The ScanEagle performed flawlessly during the demonstration. It allowed military personnel from the Canadian Army, Navy and Coast Guard to see first-hand the value that ScanEagle provides to our Forces,” said Commanding Officer of GLACE BAY LCDR Sid Green.

The demonstration conducted by the Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Centre (CFMWC) consisted of an in-flight handoff of the ScanEagle by Canadian Navy personnel aboard HMCS GLACE BAY to a land-based ground control station (GCS) operated by Canadian Army personnel in the Halifax Naval Base.

The mission of the demonstration included locating and tracking pre-positioned vessels, suspicious activity organized ashore, as well as objects and divers in the water. It was the first launch and recovery of a fixed wing aircraft from a Canadian Naval vessel since 1968.

“ScanEagle has proven its value time and again as it has contributed to and helped warfighters achieve missions in theater in many parts of the world,” said Insitu Vice President of Sales and Marketing Alvin Jackson. “We look forward to serving the Canadian Naval Forces with the same skill, experience, and consistency that our customers have come to expect from the ScanEagle and our operations team, particularly when it is critically needed whether over land or at sea.”




USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Today’s website is USS Enterprise (CVN 65). USS Enterprise (CVN 65), the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, commemorates a name which has been a continuing symbol of the great struggle to retain American liberty, justice and freedom since the first days of the American Revolutionary War.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1814 - A British squadron captures U.S. gunboats in Battle of Lake Borgne, La.
1944 - The rank of fleet admiral (five star admiral) is established.
1945 - Capt. Sue S. Dauser receives the first Distinguished Service Medal awarded to a nurse.
1965 - The Navy announces completion of 1,272-ft. radio tower at North West Cape, Australia. It is the highest manmade structure in the Southern Hemisphere at the time.


Photo of the Day



The Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Lenthall (T-AO-189) arrives in Souda Bay for a port visit.

Gator