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



Feature Walkaround - Vosper Motor Torpedo Boat 71

KitMaker Contributing Writer and MSW crew-mate Alan McNeilly (AlanL) shares brings us a walk-around of MTB 71 currently located at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford.


On Display Feature - HMS Hood, 1941

MSW crew-mate Kostas Katseas (angeleyes) shares one of his latest fantastic builds with us, HMS Hood, 1941 in this "On Display" Feature.




Euronaval 2010: Thales At the Heart of New Naval Challenges
Source: Thales

Thales is at the forefront of developing new naval solutions to meet evolving environmental and security challenges. As a long-term partner for more than 50 Navies around the world, the company has proven itself to be an innovative and reliable partner, helping customers to adapt to market changes.

At the 2010 Euronaval Show, Thales is demonstrating its ability:

* To meet 21st Century maritime environmental and security challenges, such as:

--Escalating piracy that is accentuating the need to protect shipping routes;
--Asymmetric threats, from terrorism or illegal trafficking, that have been on the rise, fuelling the need to further protect assets in coastal zones or EEZs;
--The growing requirement for high-performance anti-submarine systems due to the increase in the number of submarines on a worldwide level;
--The increased use of smaller size platforms (mainly Offshore Patrol Vessels, or OPVs) that is generating demand for smaller, adaptable and less expensive systems and equipment.

* To provide customers with innovative offerings that cover the full spectrum of their needs, from the conception of systems up to end-of-life.

The Thales stand will be divided into five main zones: Above Water Warfare, Maritime Safety and Security, Under Water Warfare, Information Superiority (interconnectivity, interoperability) and Naval Services.

Thales equips new ships and upgrades existing vessels with latest-generation systems, sensors and equipment that ensure mission success in areas such as maritime security, anti-mine warfare and anti-submarine missions.

Generating over one billion euros per year across its naval markets, Thales is developing new solutions - many of which are on display at Euronaval 2010 - to meet the needs of key players (national navies, coastguard services, port authorities, etc.).

Thales solutions on display include an animated showcase featuring unmanned maritime vehicles – a key force in anti-mine warfare that reduces risks to crewmembers.

The company is also introducing Vigile LW, a new, lightweight, naval Radar Electronic Support Measures system set to redefine situational awareness for small fast patrol craft.

Thales will also showcase SIC 21, the new-generation naval C4I system delivered by Thales to the French navy providing decision superiority capacities and means to operational commanders. SIC 21 is a system vision of multi-level interoperability based on a common information and communications core allowing the delivery of information services to a wider community of maritime users.

Last but not least, Thales will be displaying I-MAST, a sensor and communication system integrated directly into a central mast structure onboard naval vessels. It improves operational performance while also reducing ship-building time and maintenance. Without forgetting Coastwatcher 10, Thales’s “all-in-one” coastal surveillance radar, which allows port authorities and offshore operators to detect and track very small dynamic targets even in harsh weather conditions.


Taiwan Plans Minesweeper Construction
Source: Forecast International

TAIPEI --- The Taiwanese Navy plans to build six minesweepers at a cost of more than TWD30 billion ($938 million). Design of the new ships is complete and construction is due to start in 2012.

The six minesweepers, along with two U.S.-built Osprey-class minesweepers, will replace Taiwan’s aging minesweeping fleet. Taiwan seeks to augment its capabilities against Chinese mining operations in the event of war in the Formosa Strait. The Chinese military could use mines to hamper commercial traffic in the strait and thereby enforce an economic embargo against Taiwan.

The announcement follows news that the Taiwanese Air Force will be acquiring indigenously produced unmanned aerial vehicles rather than U.S.-built platforms. The UAVs, which are being developed by the Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology, would be utilized for surveillance purposes and would be unarmed.




Battle of Leyte Gulf

Today’s is the anniversary of the Battle of Leyte Gulf.




Taffy 3 Memorial

Today’s website is Taffy 3 Memorial. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1812 - USS United States (Capt. Stephen Decatur) captures HMS Macedonian.
1924 - Airship USS Shenandoah (ZR 1) completes round-trip transcontinental cruise that began Oct. 7.
1944 - During Battle of Leyte Gulf in Battle of Surigao Straits, U.S. battleships execute the maneuver of "crossing the tee" of the Japanese forces. In Battle Off Samar, escort carriers, destroyers and destroyer escorts heroically resist attacks of Japanese Center Force. In Battle Off Cape Engano, 3rd Fleet carriers attack Japanese Northern Force, sinking several small carriers.
1950 - Chinese Communist Forces launch first offensive in Korea.
1966 - Operation Sea Dragon logistics interdiction began.
1983 - U.S. Marine and Army troops land on Grenada to evacuate U.S. citizens threatened by the island's unstable political situation.


Photo of the Day



The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) is underway with the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Daring (D 32).

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