Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
US Navy Orders More Minesweeping Equipment
Source: Thales Australia
Thales Australia has been awarded a follow on contract by the US Department of Defense to supply minesweeping equipment for the US Navy’s Avenger-class Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs).
The contract for four ship sets with the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) includes an option for a further three ship sets, and follows several highly successful contracts for Thales minesweeping systems for the US Navy. Over the past four years Thales Australia has delivered Advanced Acoustic Generators (AAGs), Infrasonic Advanced Acoustic Generators (IAAGs), Sweep Tracker Monitor Systems (STMS), spares and accessories for seven of the 14 Avenger class MCMVs.
“The US Navy is committed to having the most advanced minesweeping technology,” said Chris Jenkins, Thales Australia’s CEO. “As new mine-related threats emerge, it is vitally important to deploy cutting-edge systems that deliver innovative and flexible capabilities to naval forces on operations. We are extremely proud to be a part of the US Navy’s capability in this area, and look forward to developing what is a highly productive relationship.”
The AAG is at the cutting edge of mine countermeasures technology. A water driven, turbine powered acoustic generator that emulates ship noise, it can be integrated with any sweep system. Originally developed by Thales Australia in conjunction with an SME, Adelaidebased Resonance Technology, and with assistance from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, it meets a global need for sophisticated minesweeping products.
The IAAG is the low frequency variant of the AAG and has also been developed by Thales Australia and Resonance Technology. The IAAG fulfils a requirement for an acoustic generator able to produce underwater sound at the high sound pressure levels and low frequencies similar to those produced by large ships.
The STMS is designed for deployment with the AAG and IAAG to provide positional tracking data and to facilitate control of both manned and unmanned operations. “The AAG gives the US Navy a low maintenance high reliability acoustic generator,” said Andrew Tatem, NSWC PCD project engineer responsible for the installation and commissioning of the acoustic sweep on the Avenger class MCMVs.
Thales in Australia manufactures and exports minesweeping products to navies throughout the world, and has established a significant design, manufacturing and production capability for these products.
Egypt – Follow-On Technical Support
Source: Defense Security Cooperation Agency
WASHINGTON --- The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress July 1 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt for the continuation of technical services in support of four OLIVER HAZARD PERRY and two KNOX CLASS Frigates and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $210 million.
The Government of Egypt has requested a possible sale for the continuation of technical services in support of four (4) OLIVER HAZARD PERRY and two (2) KNOX CLASS Frigates that includes, but is not limited to, refurbishment and upgrading facilities, engineering change proposals, tools and test equipment, software upgrades, engine component improvement, spare and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. government and contractor technical and logistical support services, and other related program requirements.
The estimated cost is $210 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 which has been and continues to be an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.
Egypt intends to use the technical services provided to maintain the systems installed on the U.S. Navy (USN) supplied ships and USN supplied systems installed aboard Egyptian Navy platforms. The technology in these systems is maintenance intensive and requires a dedicated repair and replacement parts program to ensure the ships remain fully mission capable. This sale will provide the technical expertise, repair capability, and access to spare parts required to keep the systems operational. Egypt will have no difficulty absorbing this support into its armed forces.
The proposed sale of this service will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractor will be VSE Global in Alexandria, Virginia. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale. Implementation of this sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Egypt; however, U.S. government and contractor representatives will be required to travel to Egypt annually for a period of one to two weeks to participate in program and technical reviews.
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.
Air Force, Navy Officials Partner on Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Source: U.S Air Force
WASHINGTON --- In a signed memorandum of agreement, Air Force and Navy officials partnered to maximize commonality, eliminate redundant effort and increase interoperability between the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance unmanned aircraft systems and the RQ-4 Global Hawk system.
Signed by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead June 12, the MOA directs specific actions to achieve an integrated training, maintenance and operational approach based on platform similarities. The MOA also directs the establishment of a Synergies Working Group to identify synergies in basing, maintenance, aircraft command and control, training, logistics, and data requirements commonalities.
Lt. Gen. David Deptula, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and Vice Adm. Jack Dorsett, the Navy deputy chief of naval operations for information dominance, will act as leads for their respective services directing and developing BAMS UAS and Global Hawk synergies.
"This MOA is a tremendous step forward between our two services," General Deptula said. "It sets the standard for what can be achieved by seeking service interdependence."
General Deptula explained the two services will achieve synergy in personnel, equipment and training while reducing overall cost to the Department of Defense.
"The result of this integrated approach will be greater capacity for quick, reliable and sustainable ISR for combatant commanders," the general said.
Navy officials expressed similar confidence in the success the agreement will yield.
"This agreement allows us to leverage the shared and complementary expertise of the Navy and Air Force and deliver agile, interoperable systems to the warfighter," Admiral Dorsett said. "We also look forward to the increased efficiencies that this approach will deliver to the benefit of both the BAMS and Global Hawk programs."
Although the MOA does not obligate funds, it does focus on identifying commonalities, interoperability and joint efficiencies.
The MOA specifically directs BAMS UAS and Global Hawk programs to look at options for joint Navy and Air Force squadron organizations; joint basing in various theaters, subject to combatant commander approval where required; squadron-level consolidated maintenance facility; and joint aircraft command and control, and training.
BAMS UAS will be a forward-deployed, land-based, remotely-operated system that provides a persistent maritime ISR capability as a key component of the Navy's family of unmanned systems to achieve maritime domain awareness. Initial operating capability is scheduled for 2015.
Captain John Paul Jones
Today’s website is the history of the US Navy WAVES. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1798 - Congress rescinds treaties with France; Quasi War begins with frigate Delaware capturing French privateer, Croyable.
1846 - Commodore John D. Sloat lands at Monterey and claims California for U.S.
1916 - Thomas A. Edison becomes head of Naval Consulting Board which screens inventions for use by the Navy.
1948 - First six enlisted women sworn into Regular Navy. The Navy WAVES in Naval Reserve, who were the first to transfer to the Regular Navy, were Kay Louise Langdon, Aviation Storekeeper First Class; Wilma Juanita Marchal, Chief Yeoman; Frances Teresa Dovaney, Storekeeper Second Class; Edna Earle Young, Yeoman Second Class; Doris Roberta Robertson, Teleman Second Class; and Ruth Flora, Hospital Corpsman First Class.
Photo of the Day
Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) spell out George Washington on the flight deck while arriving in port to commemorate the ship's 18 years of Naval service.
Gator
