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



On Display - D-Day Landing in 1/700

Alec Cap (bigal07) shares a gallery of images of his D-Day Landing in 1/700 in this "On Display" feature.


On-Display - MS Wilhelm Gustloff, Part II

Due to popular request, MSW crew-mate Peter Fulgoney (peterf) has submitted an additional gallery of images of his build of the MS Wilhelm Gustloff in this "On Display" feature.


Victory at Sea – Second Battle of Sirte

Step back in time to 1942 when the British convoy MW10 headed for Malta was intercepted by the Italian Navy. Second Battle of Sirte.




Navy Submarine Sails after Six-Year Upgrade
Source: UK Ministry of Defense

The nuclear-powered Royal Navy submarine HMS Triumph has set sail for sea trials following a major six-year refit which has significantly improved her capabilities.

Built by VSEL at Barrow-in-Furness, Triumph was commissioned in October 1991 and is the seventh and last of the Trafalgar Class.

Since commissioning, Triumph has completed a number of notable patrols from the North Atlantic to the Far East.

The next few months will see her conduct extensive tests at sea, ensuring that the modifications made to her propulsion and command systems withstand the demanding environment at sea both when surfaced and dived.

Captain Mike Robinson, the Superintendent Submarines for Devonport, said:

"HMS Triumph sails for sea trials with significant safety and capability improvements, equipping her to provide a substantial contribution to Defense during her second commission."

Following her planned acceptance back into the Royal Navy fleet later this year, her crew will then also be tested by the rigors of operational sea training.

The work, the last Trafalgar Class submarine refit and refuel to be undertaken, was carried out in partnership with the Royal Navy's major contractor, Babcock.

The company's Submarine Operations Director (Devonport), Gavin Leckie, said:

"The quality of HMS Triumph as she leaves for sea trials, and timely completion of this extensive refit, is testament to the skill, dedication, and close teamwork by all involved, and the clear leadership from the Defense Equipment and Support agency project contract manager, Babcock project manager, and the submarine's commanding officer."

The refit has taken six years to complete and cost nearly £300m. Over 1,000 personnel have worked on the submarine in this time, totaling 2.75 million man-hours, including Babcock employees, ship's staff and various other external contractors.

Capability improvements have included installation of the latest sonar systems, and an upgrade for the Tomahawk land attack cruise missile system.

A new command and control system has been installed, as well as a new internal fiber optic computer systems network and enhanced satellite communications system. An additional ballast pump has been installed to aid rapid deballasting, and a number of safety improvements added to fire-fighting and escape capabilities.

HMS Triumph will now undergo a three-month sea trials program before returning to the Royal Navy's operational fleet for ongoing duties.




Northrop Grumman Successfully Demonstrates Capabilities of LITENING Targeting System on U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F
Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill. --- Northrop Grumman Corporation today announced it successfully demonstrated its LITENING advanced targeting capabilities on the U.S. Navy's premier fighter/attack aircraft, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, marking the eighth U.S. combat aircraft to fly the advanced targeting system.

"During the 1.5 hour flight conducted at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif., LITENING demonstrated its performance, flexibility and interoperability under operationally representative conditions," said Mike Lennon, vice president of Targeting and Surveillance Programs for Northrop Grumman's Targeting Systems Division. "With LITENING, Northrop Grumman offers advanced sensor technology, unique features, high reliability, proven worldwide support and a demonstrated ability to easily integrate emerging technologies, all at a very competitive price and delivery schedule. As a result of this successful integration of LITENING on the F/A-18E/F aircraft, potential international Super Hornet customers now have another advanced targeting system choice to maximize their targeting and surveillance capabilities."

Northrop Grumman's LITENING pod is a self-contained, multi-sensor system that enables operators with surveillance and situational awareness, and the ability to detect, acquire, identify, and auto-track targets for highly accurate delivery of both conventional and precision-guided weapons. Fully integrated to support both air-to-air and air-to-ground engagements, LITENING features advanced image processing for target identification; coordinate generation for GPS weapons; a 640 x 512 or 1,024 x 1,024 pixel forward-looking infrared sensor for effective day and night operations; a 1,024 x 1,024 pixel charge-coupled device television sensor; a dual waveband infrared laser designator and eye-safe laser range finder; a laser spot tracker; an infrared laser marker; and optional air-to-ground video data link and digital video recorder.

To date, more than 600 LITENING pods have been ordered by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, and seven allied nations. More than 500 systems have been fielded, the largest number of any advanced targeting and sensor system. LITENING is combat proven on the AV-8B, A-10A/C, B-52H, EA-6B, F-15E, F-16 (Blocks 15-52) and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. Together, all variants of the LITENING pod have amassed more than 1,000,000 flight hours, with over 500,000 hours logged under deployed or combat conditions.




HMS Warspite

Today’s website is HMS Warspite. Enjoy.

This Day in U.S. Naval History

1820 - Commodore Stephen Decatur dies after a duel with Capt. James Barron.
1915 - "Naval aviator" replaces "Navy air pilot" for officers qualified as aviators.
1929 - Navy ships protect Americans and their property during a Mexican revolution.
1946 - USS Missouri (BB 63) departs the United States to return the body of a deceased Turkish ambassador to Turkey for burial. Missouri arrived in Istanbul April 5.


Photo of the Day



The Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Halifax (FFH 330) transits the Caribbean Sea.

Gator