Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Feature - Italian Carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi (551)
MSW crew-mate David J. Salvin (djandj) shares his build story of Delphis Models Italian Carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi (551) in this MSW Feature.
Feature - River Tagus, Navy Ship Board, circa 1952
MSW plank-owner Rui Matos (skipper) shares a fabulous piece of work, his latest diorama, entitled River Tagus, Navy Ship Board, circa 1952 in this MSW Feature.
Royal Navy Confirms Sea Viper Missile Firing
Source: Royal Navy
Sea Viper, the Royal Navy’s groundbreaking new air defence missile, has been fired from a Type 45 Destroyer for the first time, the MOD confirmed today.
At the MOD’s range in the Hebrides, HMS Dauntless successfully fired an Aster 30 missile and hit a moving target drone.
The Sea Viper can engage multiple targets simultaneously, meaning it is capable of defending the new Type 45 fleet and ships in their company against multiple attacks from the most sophisticated aircraft or missiles approaching from any direction and at supersonic speeds.
Sea Viper also has state-of-the-art Sampson radar, allowing it to react to high-speed, very low-level, anti-ship missiles and can track targets to a range of up to 400 kilometres. The Aster missiles are capable of speeds in excess of mach four and are highly agile.
Captain Richard Powell, Commanding Officer of HMS Dauntless, said:
"This firing is the culmination of a series of trials of Sea Viper as the system moves towards acceptance into the Royal Navy. Both my ship's company and the equipment manufacturers have done a sterling job in preparing for and conducting the test.
“We are delighted with the success of this firing which is particularly important for the UK as the Sea Viper system will also work in support of land and air forces.”
Richard Smart, Head of Team Complex Weapons at the MOD, said:
“Sea Viper is one of the most advanced weapons systems in the world. Its ability to engage multiple targets gives the Royal Navy unparalleled protection from air attack which, together with the ship’s speed and agility, makes the Type 45 a truly formidable fighting force. The first firing from HMS Dauntless is a fantastic achievement that has successfully built on the weapon system’s extensive qualification programme.”
BACKGROUND NOTES:
Sea Viper is the Royal Navy’s version of the MBDA-designed PAAMS (Principal Anti Air Missile System) which is composed of the Sampson radar, a Combat and Control system, the Sylver missile launching system and Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles.
"New Dawn" Arriving in Iraqi Waterways
Source: US Navy
ARABIAN GULF --- With Operation Iraqi Freedom drawing to a close in August and Operation New Dawn beginning Sept. 1, the Iraqi navy shifted toward a leading role in providing security for Iraqi territorial waters.
Coalition forces had been leading security operations in the Iraqi maritime environment until the day that Iraqis would take over responsibilities.
The security of this compact and challenging operating environment is crucial due to the enormous volume of trade conducted at the oil terminals and the ports of Umm Qasr and Basrah.
Iraqi Patrol Ship Nasser (702) conducted joint training with USS Chinook (PC 9), and the Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission-Navy (ITAM-N), Aug. 4.
The training was the final step in ensuring Nasser was prepared to take on the full range of operations and lead a successful patrol by the Iraqi navy.
A three-day training event focused on oil terminal defense. Nasser patrolled the water around Al Basrah Oil Terminal (ABOT), while a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) from Chinook's small boat simulated a wide range of scenarios, including posing as a fishing dhow that had come too close to the terminal, and simulating a high speed skiff intent on attacking the terminal.
"Nasser did an outstanding job of protecting the water around ABOT and making it difficult to attack the terminal," said Quartermaster 2nd Class Ian Lacomb, small boat coxswain.
The next day the Chinook crew hosted Nasser's crew for a series of training scenarios focusing on weapons, safety and stern ramp familiarization.
The Italian-built Nasser, similar to U.S. patrol craft, is outfitted with the same M2 .50-caliber machine guns as Chinook, making it a perfect platform to host the weapons training. During the session, coalition forces trained the Iraqis on safe and accurate shooting. Upon completion of the initial training, Iraqi sailors completed a live-fire exercise, ensuring each sailor was familiar and comfortable with operating the weapon.
During safety training, Iraqi sailors learned rescue and fire control techniques. Rescue and assistance techniques were taught to ensure the Iraqi sailors were able to proficiently provide assistance to mariners operating in the vicinity of the oil terminals. Chinook's damage control training team conducted scenarios that exercised Nasser crew members' ability to engage fires and flooding casualties.
Chinook Sailors also provided small boat-handling familiarization training to Nasser sailors, focusing on how to safely launch and recover small boats from a stern ramp and safely transfer personnel.
Small boat operations allow ships to transfer personnel and material, as well as provide a means of assisting and boarding merchant vessels and dhows.
"I was impressed by the motivation of the Iraqis throughout the entire three-day training event," said Engineman 1st Class Blaine Lenzner.
The training has since proven useful in the real world when Nasser recently assisted a dhow that suffered a mishap to its engineering plant. Nasser crew members helped the vessel repair the bilge pump, and reverse the flooding, allowing the dhow to safely continue its transit.
Battle of Cape Esperance
Today’s is the anniversary of Battle of Cape Esperance Enjoy.
Battle of Valcour Island
Today’s website is Battle of Valcour Island. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1776 - Revolutionaries fight the Battle of Valcour Island on Lake Champlain, N.Y. Although defeated, the American flotilla delayed the British advance and caused it to fall back into winter quarters.
1824 - Marquis de Lafayette visits the Washington Navy Yard during his yearlong tour of America. He returned to the yard October 12, to continue his visit.
1942 - Battle of Cape Esperance begins. In the two-day battle, an American task force stops a Japanese attack on Guadalcanal and sinking two Japanese ships in the process, while losing USS Duncan (DD 485).
1945 - Typhoon hits Okinawa, Japan, damaging many Navy ships.
1950 - Task Force 77 aircraft destroy North Korean vessels off Songjin, Wonsan and north of Hungham.
1963 - Navy medical team from Norfolk, Va., begins massive inoculation program to safeguard against outbreak of typhoid in the wake of Hurricane Flora.
1967 - Operation Coronado VI began in Rung Sat Zone.
1968 - Apollo 7, the first U.S. three-man space mission is launched, commanded by Cmdr. Walter Schirra Jr. The mission lasted 10 days, 20 hours. Recovery was by USS Essex (CVS 9).
Photo of the Day
The Royal Thai Navy frigate HTMS Kraburi (FF47) signals to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73).
Gator
