Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Feature - Japanese Miniature Submarine, HA-19
MSW Senior News Writer Kenny Loup (Gator) shares a gallery of images of his build of Japanese Miniature Submarine, HA-19 in this photo feature.
Northrop Grumman Completes Delivery of Upgraded U.S. Navy Targets
Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.
SAN DIEGO --- Some of the oldest aerial targets in the U.S. Navy's inventory can now be used for some of the service's most advanced training missions thanks to the recent on-schedule completion of an avionics upgrade of those targets by Northrop Grumman Corporation.
In late June, the company completed deliveries to the Navy of 25 BQM-34S Firebee aerial targets, each one retrofitted with modern avionics hardware from the service's primary target system, the Northrop Grumman-produced BQM-74E. As part of this Avionics Upgrade program, Northrop Grumman also provided updated operational flight program software, training of Navy personnel and flight test support.
"This upgrade program converted 25 targets that were nearly obsolete into state-of-the-art systems that will meet the Navy's most critical training system requirements for many years to come," said Hans Dall, program manager of the BQM-34 Targets Program for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector. "The BQM-34Ss can be operated with the Standard Navy Target Control command and control system, and will allow the Navy to carry larger payloads than the BQM-74E in a system that delivers the proven performance of the BQM-74E."
Aerial targets are unmanned, aircraft-like systems used by the military to simulate tactical threats posed by enemy aircraft and missiles. They are typically used to test and evaluate surface ship defensive weapons systems or to train pilots in air-to-air combat techniques.
According to Dall, the new avionics and software added to the BQM-34Ss give the targets fully autonomous waypoint navigation and an improved ability to perform intricate maneuvers at extremely low altitudes.
"The BQM-34S Avionics Upgrade program is a great example of Northrop Grumman's expertise in migrating the capabilities of one unmanned system to another unmanned platform using proven hardware technology and only minor software changes," said Steve Mastin, director of target programs for Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems sector.
As another example, Mastin cited the company's current work with Bell Helicopter developing and flight testing a new medium range vertical unmanned aerial system (VUAS) called Fire-X. Fire-X will integrate the proven unmanned systems architecture of the Navy's MQ-8B Fire Scout VUAS with the mature, FAA-certified Bell 407 airframe. Northrop Grumman is the Navy's prime contractor for Fire Scout.
The BQM-34 Firebee is a versatile, highly reliable aerial target with a top speed of Mach 0.97, and an operational altitude envelope ranging from 10 feet above the sea surface to 60,000 feet. It can perform seven-g turns while maintaining high airspeeds for realistic threat presentations. It features a modular, robust design; large internal and external payload capacity; and abundant electrical power, allowing it to support a variety of specialized target and tactical unmanned aerial vehicle missions. It has been in service with the U.S. military for more than five decades.
EADS Defence & Security Radars Protect Royal Navy Vessels
Source: EADS
EADS Defence & Security (DS) provides several ships of the Royal Navy with advanced identification systems in order to enhance flight safety and situation awareness.
Defence Electronics (DE), an integrated activity of DS, has been awarded the Maritime Mode S Interrogator Capability (MSMIC) contract by the UK MoD to deliver its MSSR (Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar) 2000 I identification systems for the installation by 2011 onboard vessels such as the Type 42 destroyers, the "Invincible" class aircraft carriers and the future assault ships.
The system is the first secondary radar of its type worldwide. It is capable of both military and civil Air Traffic Control interrogations, thus supporting new requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority. EADS Defence & Security will provide local support and project management through its Test & Services division based in Ferndown.
"Providing latest technology IFF systems like MSSR 2000 I increases situational awareness for allied forces" explained Bernd Wenzler, CEO of Defence Electronics, “and therefore increases mission success and security for airborne and naval forces.”
IFF systems, so-called secondary surveillance radars (SSR), precisely collect data such as origin, course, speed etc. of individual aircraft by automatically sending interrogation signals which are answered by so-called transponders on-board friendly aircraft. Thus, the IFF systems ensure reliable identification of incoming aircraft, thus substantially reducing the risk of accidental attacks on friendly forces. This data exchange in the military field is based upon encrypted signals which cannot be analyzed or jammed by hostile forces.
Secondary radars are also used in civil Air Traffic Control (ATC). In a civil ATC mission, MSSR 2000 I sends out interrogation signals to all the aircraft and collects the responses. Thus, the radar provides a real-time overview of aircraft positions and additional aircraft data which results in a significant improvement in air traffic control and in the efficient use of air space.
Defence Electronics has delivered IFF systems to several NATO nations for ground and naval applications. For example, the MSSR 2000 I interrogator protects the German Navy K130 corvettes and F122/123 frigates as well as the French Navy "Mistral" assault ship and the Australian amphibious ships. In total, DS has approx. 250 systems in 29 nations under contract.
USS Missouri
Today’s website is the USS Missouri. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1812 - Frigate Essex captures British brig Leander.
1912 - First airborne radio communications from naval aircraft to ship (Lt. John Rodgers to USS Stringham).
1942 - Capt. Joy Bright Hancock appointed director, Women's Naval Reserve.
1948 - President Harry S. Truman orders desegregation of the Armed Services.
1954 - Three aircraft from USS Philippine Sea (CVA 47) shoot down two Chinese fighters that fired on them while they were providing air cover for rescue operations for a U.K. airliner shot down by a Chinese aircraft.
Photo of the Day
The Virginia-class submarine Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Missouri (SSN 780) moors at Naval Submarine Base New London for the first time. Missouri will be commissioned at the base July 31.
Gator
