Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
On Display Feature - USS Hornet CV8
MSW crew-mate and PT-Boat aficionado T. Garth Connelly shares a conversion build of a RAF Whaleback to RN MGB done by modeler Stan Pienkowski for Garth's personal collection, in this MSW feature!
Joint Japan-U.S. Missile Defense Flight Test Successful
Source: Missile Defense Agency
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the United States Missile Defense Agency (MDA) announced the successful completion of an Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) intercept flight test, in cooperation with the U.S. Navy, off the coast of Kauai in Hawaii.
The event marked the fourth time that a JMSDF ship has engaged a ballistic missile target, including three successful intercepts, with the sea-based midcourse engagement capability provided by Aegis BMD.
The JFTM-4 test event verified the newest engagement capability of the Japan Aegis BMD configuration of the recently upgraded Japanese destroyer, JS Kirishima. At approximately 5:06 p.m. (HST), 12:06 p.m. Tokyo time on Oct. 29, 2010, a separating 1,000 km class ballistic missile target was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands, Kauai, Hawaii.
JS Kirishima crew members detected and tracked the target. The Aegis Weapon System then developed a fire control solution and launched a Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IA missile. Approximately three minutes later, the SM-3 successfully intercepted the target approximately 100 miles above the Pacific Ocean. JFTM-4 is a significant milestone in the growing cooperation between Japan and the U.S. in the area of missile defense.
Also participating in the test was USS Lake Erie and USS Russell, Aegis ships which cooperated to detect, track and conduct a simulated intercept engagement against the same target.
The Second Skjold Fast Patrol Boat Delivered to the Norwegian Navy
Source: DCNS
On 28 October 2010, the Royal Norwegian Navy took delivery of the second Skjold fast patrol boat, or FPB. This six-ship programme is led by a consortium comprising DCNS and two Norwegian contractors with DCNS acting as combat system design authority and co-supplier.
The Norwegian authorities entrusted the Skjold programme to a consortium of three contractors with DCNS as combat system design authority and co-supplier. DCNS is working with Norway’s Umoe Mandal shipyard and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
Skjold FPBs are designed specifically to patrol Norway’s littoral waters. Accordingly, the combat system is tailored to the requirements of this demanding environment as well as reduced crewing. Thanks to state-of-the-art communications and sensor suites, these boats will also be able to participate actively in international and NATO-led operations. Skjold-class FPBs are heavily armed with a length overall of less than 50 metres. The combat system features eight anti-ship missiles and a 76-mm gun that can engage several targets at once at ranges exceeding 12 kilometres.
Validation of the combat system was achieved following the successful completion of a final campaign involving decoy launchers and the main gun. The trials took place off Bergen in August.
Skjold-class FPB P961-Storm was formally handed over on 9 September and a naming ceremony held on the same day. The second-of-class P962-Skudd has been named and delivered on 28 October 2010. The next four of the class are planned to be delivered before late 2011.
The success of the Skjold programme is the fruit of a long-term partnership between DCNS and Norway. Between 1997 and 2004, DCNS demonstrated its expertise in combat system design and development as prime contractor for the modernisation of 14 Hauk-class fast patrol boats for the Royal Norwegian Navy.
Navy Awards Northrop Grumman $48 Million Advance Procurement Contract for Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship LHA 7
Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.
PASCAGOULA, Miss. --- The U.S. Navy has awarded a $48 million cost-plus fixed-fee contract modification to Northrop Grumman Corporation for advance procurement of long-lead materials and performance of engineering/planning efforts for LHA 7, the second in the Navy's newest class of large-deck amphibious assault ships. The first ship, America (LHA 6) is being built in Pascagoula and is currently 33 percent complete.
With this award, Northrop Grumman will provide additional engineering, planning and technical support for the current contract. The Navy issued the initial contract in June for $175 million. The work will be performed at the company's Pascagoula facility.
"This contract modification continues the ongoing advance procurement process for the Navy's newest large-deck amphibious ship," said Kevin Jarvis, program manager for large deck programs. "These large deck ships are important to the U.S. Navy's fleet and our team is committed to quality builds. The advance procurement allows our focus to remain on our supply chain management and design development as we prepare for the eventual construction of the ship."
LHA 7 will be 844 feet long and 106 feet wide and weigh 44,854 tons. Its hybrid propulsion system will drive it to speeds in excess of 22 knots on its gas turbines, but also will run cost-efficiently on its auxiliary electric propulsion motors. It will accommodate 1,204 crew and can surge to accommodate 1,871 troops.
LHA 7 will have an extended hangar deck with two higher hangar bay areas, each fitted with an overhead crane for aircraft maintenance. The ship will also provide increased aviation fuel capacity, stowage for aviation parts and support equipment. In addition, LHA 7 will be able to embark and launch the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, cargo and attack helicopters, and the short take-off vertical landing (STOVL) variant F-35B Lightning II Strike Fighter.
Strategic Projection Ship 'Juan Carlos I' Arrives at Rota Naval Base
Source: Spanish Navy
The Strategic Projection Ship LHD "Juan Carlos I” arrived this afternoon at the Rota Naval Base, after being handed over to the Spanish Navy on 30th September.
The ship docked at berth No 4, which will be its permanent base, and where it was welcomed by the families of the crew.
The missions of the 'Juan Carlos I' are transport, landing and ground support to a force of Marines; the projection and employment of forces; the ability to operate as a naval combat platform; and non-combat operations such as support for humanitarian disaster relief or evacuation of civilian personnel from crisis areas.
The new ship provides a remarkable increase in the Navy’s amphibious projection capabilities, and will allow it to deploy, within and beyond our borders, an integrated naval force (landing craft, Marine infantry, unit of divers, aircraft, helicopters, etc.).
The ship also possesses logistical support capabilities that allow it to sustain a deployed mission from the sea, with minimal logistical deployment on land.
To all this must be added mobility, speed of deployment and redeployment, if necessary, and flexibility to changes that may occur in the mission, managing on-board all command activities thanks to its own command and control capabilities.
The 'Juan Carlos I' (L-61) is 231 meters long, has a maximum width 32 meters, a 9,000-mile range at 15 knots and a top speed of 21 knots. It displaces 26,000 tons and has a crew of 243 people.
Aviation and Medical Capabilities
The ship’s aviation capability allows it to carry and operate up to 30 aircraft, in a mix of medium and heavy helicopters; in amphibious operations profile, or between 10 and 12 aircraft, plus a similar number of helicopters, in its aircraft carrier mission profile.
As far as medical capabilities go, the ship has a hospital with a Role-2 capability, meaning it can perform on board diagnosis and surgical operations and hospitalization. The hospital consists of two operating rooms, a complete intensive-care unit with 8 beds, another ward of 14 beds, an area for infectious diseases, a dental surgery and X-ray, pharmacy, laboratory and consulting rooms.
All these facilities are integrated into an advanced communications system for telemedicine, so that any surgical patient admitted in ICU or treated with any diagnostic technique can be monitored in real time from the Central Military Hospital 'Gómez Ulla'.
In addition, the ship has two diesel engines and a gas turbine for electricity production of 6,600 volts, and is capable of generating an electrical output of 34,000 MW that could power 10,000 households.
Third Battle of Savo Island
Today’s is the anniversary of the Third Battle of Savo Island.
USS Washington BB56
Today’s website is USS Washington BB56. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1882 - Lt. Cmdr. French Chadwick reports to American Legation in London as first naval attache.
1942 - Although U.S. lost several ships in the naval battle of Guadalcanal, Naval Force under Rear Adm. Willlis Lee, USS Washington (BB 56), turns back Japanese transports trying to reinforce Guadalcanal. The Japanese never again try to send large naval forces to Guadalcanal.
1960 - First Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine, USS George Washington (SSBN 598), leaves Charleston, S.C., on initial fleet ballistic missile patrol.
Photo of the Day
The Navy's newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Jason Dunham (DDG 109).
Gator
