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



Submarines for Brazil: DCNS Opens Submarine Design School
Source: DCNS

Around 100 VIPs attended the ceremony held today at DCNS's Lorient centre to open a submarine design school. The school was set up under the contract signed in September 2009 to supply the Brazilian Navy with submarines and associated services. This contract is the Group's biggest ever for an international customer.

The school will provide Brazil with technical assistance with the design of the non-nuclear portion of the country's first nuclear-powered submarine which is scheduled to enter service in 2025.

Some 30 Brazilian engineers and technicians are enrolled. Over the next 18 months, they will attend courses by a team of DCNS submarine design specialists. The technology transfer programme will then move to Brazil.

"This programme confirms the Group's expertise in setting up innovative partnerships based on well-managed technology transfers in favour of international client navies. We are proud to offer Brazil the opportunity to acquire world-class naval defence know-how," says Pierre Quinchon, head of DCNS's Submarine division.

The contract calls for the design and construction of four conventional-propulsion submarines under a technology transfer agreement and technical assistance with the design and construction of the non-nuclear portions of the country's first nuclear-powered submarine, a naval shipyard and a submarine base.


Jewel of the Clyde Sets Sail for Home Port
Source: BAE Systems

GLASGOW, United Kingdom --- Diamond, the third Type 45 anti-air warfare destroyer built by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy, has set sail from the Clyde for the final time today.



Diamond set off from the Company's Scotstoun yard this morning, with a combined BAE Systems and Royal Navy crew, as she embarked on the journey to her new home port of Portsmouth, where she will be formally handed over to the Royal Navy at a ceremony on Wednesday, 22 September. Scores of employees turned out to say farewell to the ship they have worked on since first steel was cut back in May 2005.

Angus Holt, UK Programmes Director at BAE Systems Surface Ships, said: "Diamond is a formidable ship and everyone involved can take great pride in the part they have played in her design and build. We are now moving to the next stage in our journey, as we use expertise developed to date to deliver effective long-term in-service support to Diamond and her sister ships to ensure they are available whenever and wherever the Royal Navy needs them."

Commanding Officer of Diamond, Commander Ian Clark, said: "We've built strong links with the BAE Systems team over the last two years and the Ship's Company are now raring to take ownership of Diamond. The last few weeks have been busy completing our final preparations to ensure that we're ready for the challenge of transforming Diamond into an effective front-line warship, ready for operations anywhere in the world."

BAE Systems is over half way through the programme to deliver six Type 45 destroyers by the end of 2013. The first of class, HMS Daring, entered service on 31 July and BAE Systems' engineers are currently supporting the ship and her crew in preparation for her first operational deployment, while HMS Dauntless, the second of class, was handed over to the Royal Navy last December. The fourth ship, Dragon, will undertake her first sea trials in November, while outfit continues on Defender, the fifth ship in the class, launched only last October at the company's Govan yard. The sixth and final ship, Duncan, will be launched on 11 October.

As Class Output Manager for the fleet, BAE Systems will also provide in-service support to the fleet. Working side by side with the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Naval Base, the company's engineers will coordinate all aspects of repair, maintenance and support to improve ship availability and reduce through life support costs to enable the Royal Navy to meeting its operational commitments around the world.

The Type 45s will provide the backbone of the UK's naval air defences for the next 30 years and beyond. The destroyers will be capable of carrying out a wide range of operations, including anti-piracy and anti-smuggling activities, disaster-relief work and surveillance operations as well as high intensity war fighting.

Each destroyer will be able to engage a large number of targets simultaneously, and defend aircraft carriers or groups of ships, such as an amphibious landing force, against the strongest future threats from the air. The vessels will contribute a specialist air warfare capability to worldwide maritime and joint operations until 2040.




Battle of Flamborough Head

Today’s is the anniversary of the Battle of Flamborough Head Enjoy.




John Paul Jones

Today’s website is the biography of John Paul Jones. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1779 - Captain John Paul Jones, in Continental Navy frigate Bonhomme Richard, captures HMS Serapis.
1931 - Lt. Alfred Pride pilots Navy's first rotary wing aircraft, XOP-1 autogiro, in landings and takeoffs aboard USS Langley (CV 1) while underway.
1944 - Naval Task Group lands Army troops on Ulithi Atoll, Caroline Islands.
1944 - USS West Virginia (BB 48) reaches Pearl Harbor and rejoins the Pacific Fleet, marking the end of the salvage and reconstruction of 18 ships damaged Dec. 7, 1941.
1947 - James Forrestal, former Secretary of the Navy, takes office as the first Secretary of Defense.
1990 - Two hospital ships -- USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) and USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) -- steam together for the first time in the Arabian Gulf.


Photo of the Day



USCG Medium Endurance Cutter Harriet Lane

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