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



MSW - Namesakes Issue 4

Associate editor Jim Adams brings us his latest issue of “Namesakes.”
Namesakes.




Northrop Upgrades Combat Support Ship
Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.

SUNNYVALE, Calif. --- During recent sea trials, the USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8) fast combat support ship reached its top speed for the first time in three years because of the remanufactured high-speed gear elements designed and built by Northrop Grumman Corporation.

The high-speed gear elements manufactured for the Arctic by another supplier developed cracks, limiting the vessel's ability to operate at the speeds necessary to keep up with the carrier battle groups it is designed to support. In addition, the gears were plagued with high bearing temperatures and an unreliable instrumentation system. The Military Sealift Command (MSC) solicited a new set of first reduction gear elements through a competitive procurement, and awarded Northrop Grumman a contract in January 2008.

Northrop Grumman designed new high-speed gear elements, more robust and reliable bearings, and a new temperature monitoring system, all of which performed at or above requirements during the recent sea trials. As a result, the Arctic will now be able to return to unrestricted service. The vessel was first commissioned in 1995.

"Designing, manufacturing and installing brand new gear elements to solve performance issues in an existing ship is a tough technical challenge," said Glenn Perkins, vice president of Northrop Grumman's Marine Systems business unit. "By working with the MSC and the Navy, we were able to overcome those challenges successfully, as sea trials proved, and help the Navy re-establish full capability to support the fleet. This success demonstrates Northrop Grumman capability to deliver critical solutions in the surface ship gear market."

The T-AOE fast combat support ships are designed for rapid logistics support of Navy vessels that are in combat. Their ability to transport heavy supply loads efficiently and quickly requires powerful reduction gears for ship propulsion.


BIW Details DDG 1000 Contract
Source: General Dynamics Bath Iron Works

BATH, Maine --- The U. S. Navy has awarded Bath Iron Works, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, a $105.4 million modification to a previously awarded contract for procurement of long-lead-time material and engineering, production and support services associated with the construction of DDG 1001, and for long-lead-time material procurement associated with DDG 1002. The original contract was awarded in February 2008. Work encompassed by this modification is expected to be completed by February 2011.

Jeff Geiger, president of Bath Iron Works, said, "We see this award as yet another expression of the Navy's confidence in our ability to efficiently construct and deliver all three ships of the Zumwalt class. We're making good progress building the lead ship, DDG 1000, building momentum as we ramp up our construction efforts. This award will allow us to maintain progress on our DDG 1001 start-up and initiate timely procurement of key long-lead material items to support the DDG 1002 construction schedule."




USS Honolulu

Today’s website is the USS Honolulu. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1863 - USS Wyoming battled Japanese warlord's forces.
1939 - Appointment of Rear Adm. Richard Byrd as commanding officer of 1939-1941 Antarctic Expedition.
1943 - During Battle of Kolombangara in Solomon Islands, U.S. lost USS Gwin (DD 433), while Japanese lost light cruiser Jintsu.


Photo of the Day



ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG 991) cruises off the coast of Hawaii during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 exercises.

Gator