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



Feature - Tripartite Class MineSweeper Persee

Guido Hopp (Tailor) brings us another of his creative displays, this time the Tripartite Class MineSweeper Persee in this "On Display" build feature.




Raytheon Awarded $241 Million for Zumwalt Software Development
Source: Raytheon Company

TEWKSBURY, Mass. --- Raytheon Company received a $241.3 million U.S. Navy contract to deliver additional open architecture software capability for the Zumwalt-class destroyer (DDG 1000).

Under the contract, software development will support the integration of human-computer- interface components for the ship's engineering machinery controls and damage control systems. Specifically, Raytheon will deliver computer-graphical user interfaces and a technical data- manager capability to control Zumwalt's ship propulsion, integrated power, auxiliary and damage control systems. The effort will also include support to land-based and shipboard testing of these subsystems.

"This is the most readily expandable, sophisticated software suite ever designed for a naval surface combatant, allowing the warfighter to address threats faster and more effectively than ever before," said Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems' (IDS) Robert Martin, vice president and deputy of Seapower Capability Systems. "The high level of automation and intuitive human- computer interface of the ship's systems will dramatically reduce manning, resulting in significant cost savings for the Navy."

The advanced technologies developed for the destroyer can be reused on future and modernized platforms. The benefits of Zumwalt's readily expandable open architecture design and systems commonality are already being realized by the application of the Dual Band Radar on the new Ford-class aircraft carrier (CVN 78). The benefits also include the application of the Total Ship Computing Environment infrastructure for the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and USS San Antonio (LPD 17) technology-refresh efforts.

The systems and software engineering approach used on Zumwalt has yielded an architecture that is well suited for capability enhancements to counter emerging threats. It also provides affordable new capabilities that address future mission requirements such as sea-based ballistic missile defense. The system delivers an unprecedented level of Mission Systems Integration and automation and is a primary driver for the 60 percent reduction in manning for the Zumwalt-class destroyer versus the requirement for today's Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.

Progress on the Zumwalt program continues on cost and on schedule with all 10 critical Zumwalt technologies having been rigorously and successfully tested ashore and-or at sea before transitioning to full production. The program remains on track to meet all future milestones and scheduled deliveries - a significant achievement for a program of its size and complexity.

Work on this contract modification will be performed at Raytheon IDS Headquarters, Tewksbury, Mass., 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.


Peru – Refurbishment of Two NEWPORT Class Landing Ship Tanks
Source: US Defense Security Cooperation Agency

WASHINGTON --- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress Nov. 20 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Peru for the refurbishment of two NEWPORT Class Tank Landing Ships being provided as Excess Defense Articles and associated parts, equipment and logistical support worth approximately $82 million.

The Government of Peru has requested a possible sale for the refurbishment of two NEWPORT Class Tank Landing Ships, Ex-Fresno (LST-1182) and Ex-Racine (LST-1191) being provided as Excess Defense Articles (grant EDA notification is being submitted separately) with rigid inflatable boats, spare and repairs parts, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $82 million.



This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country that has been and continues to be an important force for economic progress in South America.

This proposed sale will enable the Peruvian Navy to be interoperable with U.S. forces conducting maritime interdiction operations, improve its ability to execute counter narcotics, and counterterrorism capabilities, and ensure Peru’s overall ability to maintain integrity of its borders. Peru will have no difficulty absorbing the ships into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractors will be VSE Corporation of Alexandria, Virginia, and Fairbanks Morse of San Diego, California. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of contractor representatives to provide technical and logistics support in Peru for a period of three years. U.S. Government and contractor representatives will also be required to participate in program management and technical reviews for one week intervals, semi-annually.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.


The European Commission Awards DCNS Leadership of RTD Project On Ship Noise Pollution
Source: DCNS

Reducing ship noise pollution is a key factor in reducing the ecological impact of maritime transportation. Accordingly, the European Commission has decided to provide EUR 3.5 million in funding for the DCNS-led SILENV project

SILENV stands for ‘Ship-oriented Innovative soLutions to rEduce Noise & Vibration'. The main aim is to conduct a broad study of noise pollution in maritime activities with a view to a draft proposal for an ‘acoustic green label' identifying noise limits for each type of ship and recommendations to achieve compliance.

The studies will cover:
- the impact of shipboard noise and vibration on crews and passengers,
- noise pollution in port environments,
- the impact of noise generated by maritime traffic on marine fauna.

The project will take 36 months and comprise several phases. The first phase will include a survey of existing standards, regulations and analyses to refine the objectives of each area of investigation. A ship acoustic survey will then be compiled from data supplied by SILENV partners and additional measurement data recorded specifically for the project. The final phase will involve drafting proposals to reduce ship noise and computer modelling of the anticipated results.

The DCNS-led SILENV project will involve partners from 14 EU countries, including Bulgaria, France, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The partners include industrial firms, RTD organisations and university laboratories specialising in naval construction and noise and vibration.

The overall budget is around EUR 5 million, including EUR 3.5 million funded by the European Commission.

This Day in U.S. Naval History

1846 - Ships under Commodore Matthew Perry capture Laguna de Terminos during the Mexican War.
1941 - Adm. Chester W. Nimitz is named commander in chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, relieving Adm. Husband Kimmel. Adm. William Pye becomes acting commander until Nimitz's arrival.


Photo of the Day



AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 311 is on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD .

Gator