Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
On Display - U.S. Navy Battleship Missouri
Crew-mate Kostas Katseas (angeleyes) shares a gallery of images of his build of the U.S. Navy Battleship Missouri in this "On Display" feature.
UK Government Go-Ahead for Fifth and Sixth Astute Submarines
Source: BAE Systems
BARROW-IN-FURNESS, United Kingdom --- BAE Systems today welcomed news it had been given the go-ahead to begin constructing the fifth Astute class submarine and start the procurement process for a sixth vessel.
It follows a statement made earlier today by UK Secretary of State for Defence, Bob Ainsworth, in which he underlined the Government’s continuing support for the Astute programme.
The first of class Astute attack submarine is currently undertaking sea trials, the second (Ambush) is due to be launched later this year, and the third and fourth (Artful and Audacious) are both advanced in their construction.
The Secretary of State said: “The Government has made a contractual commitment to proceed with the initial build of Astute Boat 5 and long lead procurement activities associated with Astute Boat 6, at a total cost of over £300M. This commitment is necessary now to ensure a consistent workload for the UK’s submarine building industry.
“This investment will allow the timely delivery of the Astute class boats, which are the most advanced attack submarines ever ordered for the Royal Navy. Furthermore, since the same industrial skills, experience and capability are necessary to deliver the successor deterrent submarine programme, this investment will play a part in ensuring a smooth transition from the Astute programme to the successor deterrent.”
John Hudson, Managing Director of BAE Systems, Submarine Solutions commented: “I am delighted the Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the submarine programme today. This order represents a key milestone in the overall Astute class submarine programme, and underlines the Government’s confidence in BAE Systems’ ability to deliver an advanced submarine capability for the Royal Navy.
“The commitment to the successor programme will allow BAE Systems to continue to recruit highly-skilled engineers to meet existing and future workload requirements, and progress the concept design work. Just as importantly, it will help sustain key skills and capabilities throughout our workforce, our suppliers and partners.
“The 7,400 tonne submarines will be the fifth and sixth of what is expected to be a seven boat Astute class, the largest and most powerful attack submarines ever built in Britain for the Royal Navy. The Astute class will replace the Swiftsure and Trafalgar class, which have been in-service since the 1970s and 1980s respectively.
Work is expected to start immediately at the shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness.
The first of class Astute submarine successfully completed its first phase of sea trials having left Barrow for its operational base in Faslane in November 2009. The programme of sea trials continues, including a successful first at-sea dive off the coast of Scotland.
Test and commissioning of second in class Ambush continues ahead of its scheduled launch later this year. The command deck module – the largest of the boat’s modules - has been shipped into third in class Artful, successfully completing one of the boat’s 2010 milestones. Construction of major steelwork for fourth in class Audacious continues after its keel was laid in 2009.
US Navy Commissions New Submarine
Source: naval-technology.com
The US Navy has officially commissioned its sixth Virginia Class nuclear attack submarine, USS New Mexico, at Naval Station Norfolk.
USS New Mexico, the navy's second ship to be named after the 47th state, features a reactor plant that will not require refuelling during the planned life of the ship to reduce lifecycle costs and increase mission duration. The attack submarine is equipped with armaments Tomahawk cruise missiles and torpedo tubes.
The 377ft-long and 34ft-wide multirole vessel has a displacement capacity of 7,800t and a cruise speed in excess of 25kt.
The Northrop Grumman-built submarine can undergo missions including anti-submarine warfare; anti-ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; battle group support and mine warfare missions.
USS James Madison (SSBN 627)
Today’s website is USS James Madison (SSBN 627). Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1854 - Commodore Matthew Perry negotiates the Treaty of Kanagawa, opening trade between the United States and Japan.
1971 - The Poseidon (C-3) missile becomes operational when USS James Madison (SSBN 627) begins her third patrol, carrying 16 tactical Poseidon missiles.
1992 - USS Missouri (BB 63), the last active American battleship, is decommissioned.
Photo of the Day
Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Torrance Wever and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Joshua Sweetnich spray the flight deck with aqueous film forming foam.
Gator
