Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Le Terrible Handed Over to French Navy
Source: French Navy
The ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Le Terrible was handed over to the French Navy on September 20, 2010. It has begun a training cycle of several months which will end when it is deployed on its first operational cruise.
Le Terrible is the fourth and final vessel in the Le Triomphant class. This new generation of ballistic missile submarines is fitted with the most modern equipment available and features a reduced sound signature. Designed to evade the most sophisticated sonar, the Terrible and its sister ships (Le Triomphant, Le Téméraire and Le Vigilant) can disappear in the background noise generated by the ocean.
Despite their size and weight, these ultra-modern vessels can win the underwater “silent war.” Their maximum depth and speed were also increased for the same reasons.
Le Terrible is the first submarine of its class to deploy the new M51 intercontinental nuclear missile, which has just been put into operational service. This missile provides a significant improvement in terms of range and accuracy while providing greater operational flexibility.
The three other SSBNs will be successively be modified to accommodate the new missile between 2010 and 2018.
Work Begins on the Halifax-Class Frigates
Source: Canadian Department of National Defense
HALIFAX, N. S. –-- Today, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, announced that refit and modernization of HMCS Halifax has begun under the Halifax-Class Modernization (HCM)/Frigate Life Extension (FELEX) project. HMCS Halifax is the first frigate to undergo modernization and refit through the HCM/FELEX project.
“This Government is giving the Navy the robust and modern equipment they need to do what is asked of them,” said Minister MacKay. “Canada’s Halifax-Class frigates form the backbone of the Canadian Navy and I find it fitting that this modernization work to extend the life of these ships, is announced during the Navy’s Centennial year.”
The Department of National Defence’s C$549 million contract with Halifax Shipyards Inc. for the HCM/FELEX project represents work for approximately 250 people in the maritime industry in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
The modernization of Canada’s fleet of 12 Halifax-Class frigates includes a new command and control system, new radar capability, a new electronic warfare system and upgraded communications and missiles. Under the HCM/FELEX project the frigates will also undergo a mid-life refit to ensure they remain effective to the projected end of their service life. The HCM/FELEX project represents the Government of Canada’s commitment to the Equipment pillar of the Canada First Defence Strategy.
In April 2008, the Government of Canada awarded contracts for the multi-ship refit on Canada’s east and west coasts: to Victoria Shipyards in British Columbia and to Halifax Shipyards in Nova Scotia. The first of the west coast frigates is scheduled to enter modernization and refit at Victoria Shipyards in mid-2011.
BACKGROUNDER: Halifax-Class Modernization and Life Extension
Canadian Forces’ 12 Halifax-Class frigates, commissioned between 1992 and 1995, form the backbone of the Navy. These multi-purpose ships were primarily designed to accomplish the Cold War missions of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASUW), mainly in the open-ocean environment.
In the years following the end of the Cold War, the roles of the Halifax-Class have changed. Current and evolving threats are faster, more manoeuvrable, and are moving from open ocean areas to areas closer to the coast. The close-to-shore environment poses challenges to sensors and weapons systems due to higher traffic density and proximity to shore-based threats. In addition, ships now face asymmetrical threats, such as terrorist attacks, that had not been envisaged when they were designed.
Innovations in procedures and tactics have enabled the frigates to operate effectively in the new threat environment. However, sensor and weapons enhancements are needed in order to enhance the ships’ ability to deal with these new threats into the future.
The Halifax-Class Modernization (HCM)/Frigate Life Extension (FELEX) project will manage both the modernization of the combat systems and a planned mid-life ship refit program to ensure the frigates remain effective to the projected end of their service life. This work will encompass modernization of the ships, including systems upgrades, acquisition and installation of new capabilities, such as enhanced radar, changes to the platform needed to accommodate the new capabilities, and integration of all aspects of frigate operations into an upgraded command and control system.
The HCM/FELEX project and similar projects within the Halifax-Class Modernization program will bring enhanced capabilities to the ships, which are required to meet the new threats and changing operating environments. These include:
-- A new command and control system;
-- New radar suite;
-- IFF Mode S/5 – Interrogator Friend or Foe Mode S/5;
-- Internal communications system upgrade;
-- Harpoon missile system upgrade (surface to surface); and
-- Electronic support measures upgrade.
Other HCM projects include:
-- Long-range infrared search and track system (SIRIUS); and
-- Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (surface to air) ESSM.
-- Related maintenance and sustainment activities and projects will strive to maintain equipment at its current level of capability. These include:
* Preventive, corrective and unique mid-life maintenance activities:
* Modifications to the BOFORS 57mm naval gun;
* Replacement of the Shield II Missile Decoy Countermeasures System;
* Replacement of the integrated machinery control system; and
* Replacement of the navigation radar.
Planning, preparation and coordination of the modernization began in 2005. Modernization and refit of the frigates began in September 2010, with the final ship estimated for completion in 2017.
Battle of Vella Lavella
Today’s is the anniversary of Battle of Vella Lavella Enjoy.
USS Seawolf (SSN 575)
Today’s website is USS Seawolf (SSN 575). Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1884 - The Department of the Navy establishes the Naval War College at Newport, R.I.
1940 - The fourth group of eight U.S. destroyers involved in the Destroyers for Bases Deal are turned over to British authorities in Halifax, Canada.
1943 - In the Battle of Vella Lavella, three U.S. destroyers attack nine Japanese destroyers to stop evacuation of Japanese troops from Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands.
1958 - USS Seawolf (SSN 575) completes a record submerged run of 60 days, logging more than 13,700 nautical miles.
1962 - USS Bainbridge (DLGN 25), the Navy's first nuclear-powered destroyer, is commissioned.
1997 - NASA Astronaut Cmdr. Wendy B. Lawrence returns from mission with STS-86, when Space Shuttle Atlantis docks with Mir Space Station. The mission began Sept. 25.
Photo of the Day
R/V Sea Fighter (FSF-1), an advanced technology demonstrator operated by the Office of Naval Research, performs a high-speed run off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Gator
