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News - Shizuoka 2010 Interim Report

MSW news writer Sean Ford (Fordboy) shares with us a link to the photo report on the Shizuoka 2010 Hobby Show in this news report.




Independence Begins Industrial Post-Delivery Availability
Source: US Navy

WASHINGTON --- USS Independence (LCS 2) began its first industrial post-delivery availability (IPDA) at the BAE Ship Repair Yard in Norfolk, Va., May 6. The IPDA is a planned event in the ship's post-delivery period.

During the availability, Independence will implement launch recovery and handling system improvements and complete installation of commercial broadband satellite program systems. USS Freedom (LCS 1) underwent a similar shipyard period in 2009.

"We are working quickly and efficiently to prepare this ship for operational tasking," said Rear Adm. Jim Murdoch, littoral combat ship (LCS) program manager for the Navy's Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. "Just like her sister ship USS Freedom, LCS 2 is going to bring an incredible capability to the Navy, and we're committed to making sure the ship is fully prepared for everything it may be called upon to do."

Prior to the availability, Independence completed structural test firing (STF) exercises. The STF exercise was held to test the ship's weapon systems to ensure they operate as installed and integrated with the hull structure. During the tests, Independence successfully tested its 57mm guns, SeaRAM missiles and identification friend-or-foe system

Following the completion of the IPDA in August 2010, USS Independence will continue conducting post-delivery tests and trials designed to further test the ship's systems and familiarize the crew with the unique hull form and operating concept.

LCS is a new breed of U.S. Navy warship with versatile warfighting capabilities, capable of open-ocean operation but optimized for littoral, or coastal, missions. Operational experience and analyses indicate that potential adversaries will employ asymmetric means to deny U.S. and allied forces access into critical coastal regions, such as strategic chokepoints and vital economic sea lanes. LCS is specifically designed to defeat such "anti-access" threats, which include fast surface craft, quiet diesel submarines and various types of mines.

As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all major surface combatants, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships and special warfare craft. Currently, the majority of shipbuilding programs managed by PEO Ships are benefiting from serial production efficiencies, which are critical to delivering ships on cost and schedule.


Northrop Grumman-Built U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) Commissioned in Ship's Home Port of Alameda
Source: Northrop Grumman Corp

ALAMEDA, Calif. --- Today the Northrop Grumman Corporation-built National Security Cutter (NSC) USCGC Waesche was commissioned here, allowing the service's most capable and technologically-advanced maritime asset to join the Coast Guard fleet.



"Today's commissioning completes the cycle from christening to commissioning of this highly capable ship," said Vice Admiral David Pekoske, Vice Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard. "It is through the strong partnership with industry, from concept to delivery, that you see this fine ship behind me. I thank our industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin for their industry best practices that built Waesche. Your employees who built this ship are providing a service to this nation and I thank you."

Waesche is named for Adm. Russell R. Waesche, who was the first Coast Guard commandant to achieve the rank of admiral. He led the Coast Guard from 1936 to 1946, which is the longest tenure of any USCG commandant.

Adm. Waesche's granddaughter and ship's sponsor Marilla Waesche Pivonka ordered the men and women of the Waesche crew to "man our ship and bring her to life." The crew responded with an "aye aye ma'am" and double-timed it through the spectators on Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Calif.

"This is a proud day to be a shipbuilder," said Irwin F. Edenzon, vice president and general manager of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Gulf Coast. "When you see the Coast Guard bring USCGC Waesche to life, for us it represents the culmination of years of hard work by thousands of shipbuilders. I believe Admiral Waesche would understand the skills and experience required of craftsmen and women and the millions of hours of hard, yet careful, labor and striving every day to get it right and do it better."

U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Lance Bardo assumed command as commanding officer of Waesche. The ship will be homeported in Alameda.

Waesche is the second of eight planned ships in the new class of highly capable, technologically advanced multimission cutters. Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding is responsible for the construction and testing of the NSC's hull, mechanical and electrical systems, while Lockheed Martin is building and integrating the command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities onboard the cutters.

The NSC is a 418-foot vessel with a 4,488 ton displacement at full load and is powered by a combined diesel and gas turbine power propulsion plant driving twin screws with a maximum speed of over 28 knots. The cutter includes an aft launch and recovery area for two rigid hull inflatable boats, an expansive flight deck able to accommodate a range of rotary wing manned and unmanned aircraft and state-of-the-art command and control systems. In addition, the cutter features improved habitability, and a design to facilitate optimized crewing and enhance onboard quality of life for a mixed gender crew.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1801 - Tripoli declares war against the United States.
1836 - U.S. Exploring Expedition authorized to conduct exploration of Pacific Ocean and South Seas, first major
scientific expedition overseas.
1845 - First U.S. warship visits Vietnam.
1975 - Marines recapture Mayaguez, go ashore on Koh Tang Island and release the crew.


Photo of the Day



Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) remove a barricade stanchion brace after inspecting for foreign object debris.

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