Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Feature - German Battleship Tirpitz
MSW crew-mate Julian Sallows (Gremlin56) shares his build story of Revell Models 1/350 scale Tirpitz in this MSW feature.
RSN Participates in Multilateral Naval Exercise in Hawaii
Source: Singapore Ministry of Defence
The Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Formidable-class frigate RSS Supreme is participating in the multilateral Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval exercise from 23 Jun to 1 Aug 2010.
Hosted by the United States Navy (USN), Exercise RIMPAC 2010 comprises a shore planning phase as well as a 24-day sea phase conducted off the coast of Hawaii. RSS Supreme is participating in this year's exercise alongside more than 30 ships, five submarines, 150 aircraft and 20,000 personnel from 13 other countries.
As part of the biennial exercise, RSS Supreme took part in maritime operations such as combined anti-submarine and air defence missions, and successfully carried out an Aster Surface-to-Air Missile live-firing on 14 Jul 2010.
Commenting on the RSN's participation in the exercise, Commanding Officer RSS Supreme Lieutenant Colonel Tan Wei Min said, "Exercise RIMPAC is a good opportunity for the RSN to train with other established navies. It enables us to strengthen our interoperability with the other participating navies through high intensity and complex maritime operations." Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral (RADM) Chew Men Leong was also on board the RSS Supreme to observe the live-firing.
This is the second time the RSN is involved in this exercise, following its inaugural participation in July 2008.
Also taking part in this year's Exercise RIMPAC are maritime forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Peru, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and the United States.
Indian Navy to Acquire Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
Source: The Times of India
NEW DELHI: With the Indian armed forces inducting a large number of spy drones and "killer" UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) since the 1999 Kargil conflict, the hunt has now been launched for drones to operate underwater as well.
The Navy has invited proposals from both state-owned and private companies to acquire at least 10 AUVs (autonomous underwater vehicles), which are non-tethered robotic devices driven through water by propulsion systems that are controlled and piloted by onboard computers.
AUVs can be used for MCM (mine counter-measures) operations, oceanographic surveys and specialised mapping, among other tasks. Advanced AUVs can even be deployed to keep under surveillance protected areas like harbours as well as aid in detection of enemy submarines.
"Apart from being manoeuvrable in three dimensions, the AUVs should be able to carry variable payloads such as high-definition sonars and underwater cameras for surveillance and reconnaissance activities of the seabed," said a Navy official.
"Capable of being launched from small vessels with a maximum weight of 1.5-tonne, the AUVs should be able to operate at depths up to 500 metre for 7-8 hours," he added.
The move comes at a time when the Army is also looking for combat drones, or UCAVs (unmanned combat aerial vehicles), drawing lessons from the deadly use of US `Predators' and `Reapers' against the Taliban in the Af-Pak region. Unlike killer UAVs, which hit their targets and perish with their missions, UCAVs are like fighter jets because they return to their bases to re-arm themselves with more missiles for the next mission.
Royal Navy to Consider New Airborne Early Warning Helicopter
Source: Royal Navy
AgustaWestland and Thales have joined forces to offer the AW101 Merlin helicopter to the UK Royal Navy for its airborne early warning (AEW) operations.
The new AW101 Merlin equipped with Thales's Searchwater 2000 radar and Cerberus mission system could replace the navy's Sea King 7 airborne surveillance and control (ASaC) aircraft and operate from the Queen Elizabeth-class future aircraft carriers.
Currently, the navy is operating a fleet of 11 Sea King ASaC helicopters, which will be decommissioned in 2016, according to flightglobal.com.
AgustaWestland said the distinctive radar suite of the Searchwater system will be deployed through a rear ramp aperture during operations, providing 360-degree surveillance coverage.
The helicopter features various advanced capabilities including the Cerberus payload, which will be installed on a pallet, and two mission crew stations towards the front of the cabin as well as an integrated Link 16 datalink.
SEALAB
Today’s website is the SEALAB. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1846 - First visit of U.S. warships (USS Columbus and USS Vincennes) to Japan is unsuccessful in negotiating a treaty.
1960 - In first launch of Polaris missile, USS George Washington (SSBN 598) successfully fires 2 operational Polaris missiles while submerged off Florida.
1964 - Four Navy divers enter Project SEALAB I capsule moored 192 feet on the ocean floor off Bermuda for 11 day experiment.
1969 - Former Navy pilot Neil Armstrong is first man to set foot on the moon, announcing, "that's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Armstrong was Commander of Apollo 11 which during its 8 day mission landed on the Sea of Tranquility. Recovery was by HS-4 helicopters from USS Hornet (CVS 12).
Photo of the Day
The Ukrainian navy ship LST Konstantn Olsnanskly (U 042) is anchored in the Black Sea during an exercise Sea Breeze 2010 anti-piracy exercise in the Black Sea.
Gator
