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



Feature - "Forlorn Hope"

Spawned from our recent "WWI Warships Campaign" comes this fabulous diorama "Forlorn Hope" from Karl Zingheim, in this MSW Feature.




New Offshore Patrol Vessel Boosts Capability
Source: BAE Systems

New Zealand's ability to conduct extended patrols into the Southern Ocean and the Pacific was boosted today with the arrival of the first of two new Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs).

The Royal New Zealand Navy’s newest ship HMNZS OTAGO arrived at Devonport Naval Base today to a rousing welcome from Navy personnel.

OTAGO and her sister ship WELLINGTON will deliver substantial new capability to the Defence Force. The ships can go further offshore, stay at sea longer, and conduct more challenging operations than New Zealand's other patrol vessels. This will enable the RNZN to conduct extended patrol and surveillance operations around New Zealand, the southern ocean and into the Pacific.

The Offshore Patrol Vessels will work closely with government agencies including the Ministry of Fisheries, Police, Maritime New Zealand and the Department of Conservation around the New Zealand coast, in the Pacific and Southern Ocean. The primary tasks of the new ships include:

--Maritime counter-terrorism.
--Surveillance and Reconnaissance.
--Surface contact detection, identification, interception and boarding.
--Apprehension and escort of vessels.
--Maritime Search And Rescue (SAR)


After arriving at Devonport HMNZS OTAGO will have additional military equipment fitted and then the crew will undertake a period of training to work the ship up to full operational capability.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
-- HMNZS OTAGO was accepted into the fleet by the Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Tony Parr on 18 February 2010, in Melbourne.

-- The Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) HMNZS OTAGO and WELLINGTON deliver substantial new capability to the Royal New Zealand Navy. The ships can go further offshore, stay at sea longer, and conduct more challenging operations than the Inshore Patrol Vessels, and will enable the RNZN to conduct patrol and surveillance operations around New Zealand, the southern ocean and into the Pacific.

--The OPVs are capable of many roles including maritime patrol, surveillance and response. They have the ability to conduct helicopter operations using a Seasprite SH2G helicopter, boarding operations using the ships Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, or Military Support Operations with embarked forces.

-- The OPVs have strengthened hulls which enable them to enter southern waters where ice may be encountered. They are not designed as ice-breakers or to enter Antarctic ice-packs, but have the range and capability to undertake patrols in the southern ocean where ice may be encountered.

-- The ships are highly automated and operate with a core crew of 35, plus 10 flight crew to operate a helicopter. The ships’ power and control systems are fully computerized.


Construction on Submarine California (SSN 781) 75 Percent Complete
Source: Forecast International

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. --- Virginia class U.S. submarine California (SSN 781) is 75 percent complete and approaching the construction milestone of "pressure hull complete" this spring. Pressure hull complete signifies that the hull sections have been joined to form a single unit.

It is the last major module-level milestone and denotes the beginning of the full ship system integration work and testing, as well as preparation for the ship's christening and launch later this year.

California, the eighth ship of the Virginia class, is named after the "Golden State." It is being constructed at the company's Shipbuilding sector in Newport News, Va. The ship's keel was laid in May 2009.

Once delivered to the Navy in 2011, California will be considered the most modern and sophisticated attack submarine in the world, providing undersea operation well into the 21st century.




P-8A Poseidon, the New Kid In Town
Source: US Naval Air Systems Command

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, MD ---The first P-8A Poseidon test aircraft arrived at Pax River, April 10. The aircraft, recently assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX-20), arrived after a six hour, 55 min flight from Boeing’s Seattle facilities. VX-20’s Government Flight Test Director, Cmdr. Jim Reining, along with VX-1’s Operational Test Director, Cmdr. John Verniest, and Boeing’s P-8A chief pilot, Chris Dobb, delivered the aircraft referred to as T1.

T1 began formal Navy flight testing at the Boeing facility in October 2009. The Integrated Test Team (ITT) spent the past six months executing ground and flight tests while maximizing the expertise of Boeing P-8A engineers and technicians.

“It was an exciting moment to watch the first P-8A Poseidon touch down at Pax River today,” said Capt. Mike Moran, Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft program manager (PMA-290). “The maritime patrol and reconnaissance platform is in great demand throughout the world and this flight put us one step closer to delivering Poseidon to the Fleet. I cannot be more proud of our team as they work to ensure this aircraft will meet our warfighters’ requirements.”

Moran said that the program continues to meet all performance criteria and is on track for initial operational capability in 2013.

“The ITT, along with all Boeing’s Seattle production and maintenance team has worked very hard to get the aircraft to Pax River to complete the planned test program,” said Reining. “The ITT is grateful for the strong support from PMA-290 and Boeing management and is excited to get to work testing at Pax River.”

The Poseidon ITT, comprised of Navy test squadrons (VX-20 and VX-1), and Boeing, will utilize T1 to evaluate the P-8A’s airworthiness and expand its flight envelope.

The program’s other two flight test aircraft, T2 and T3, will transfer to Pax River later this year. These aircraft will focus on extensive mission systems and weapons system testing, ensuring the P-8A’s ability to carry out the anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

The Poseidon will replace the P-3C Orion as the Navy’s premier maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft. Its advanced mission systems, software and communications technology will allow the Fleet to carry out the same missions as the Orion, but with greater situational awareness that will enhance mission success.




HMS Warspite

Today’s website is HMS Warspite. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1783 - George Washington proclaims the end of hostilities with Great Britain.
1861 - President Lincoln orders the blockade of Southern ports from South Carolina to Texas.
1955 - USS Albany (CG 10) and USS William Wood (DD 715) begin to provide disaster relief to citizens of Volos, Greece.


Photo of the Day



Sailors man the rails of the guided-missile frigate USS McInerney ( FFG 8 ) as the ship returns to homeport at Naval Station Mayport.

Gator