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



On Display Feature - USS Seattle (AOE-3)

MSW crew-mate David J. Salvin (djandj) sends us this build story of his conversion of JAG''s USS Sacramento kit to depict USS Seattle (AOE-3) shortly before her decommission in 2005.




Babcock and Oto Melara Team Up
Source: Oto Melara

Oto Melara (a subsidiary of the Finmeccanica Group) and Babcock International Group’s Marine Division have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to offer the Oto Melara 127mm 64-cal Light Weight (LW) Medium Calibre Gun System to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the Type 26 frigate for the Royal Navy.

The 127/64 LW has already been selected by other European navies and has been developed as a complete system, including long range precision guided ammunition.

Under the agreed co-operation between the two companies, Babcock would be the prime contractor to the MoD, leveraging its established position as a Tier 1 contractor. The arrangements would provide significant licensed work for Babcock, with opportunities for a broad UK supply chain, in assembly, test, setting to work and on-going in-service support in the UK.

There is also potential for the system to be offered in UK sales of Type 26 derivatives for the export market.

The Oto Melara 127/64 LW gun is capable of firing up to 35 rounds per minute. The production turret weighs less than 29 tons and the ‘peppered’ muzzle brake with an aluminium shield keeps cost down, improves maintenance and reduces radar cross-section. The gun uses an advanced ammunition handling system, consisting of four revolving drum magazines holding 56 ready-to-fire rounds of more than four different types, allowing flexibility in ammunition selection and a high rate of sustained fire.

It is capable of anti-surface and anti-air defence, and area engagement. The new Vulcano ammunition is capable of precision engagement at ranges previously only achievable by missile systems but at a fraction of the cost.

Both Babcock and Finmeccanica view this as an exciting and mutually beneficial relationship.

Babcock Equipment Solutions managing director Roger Gillespie said: “We are delighted to be working in co-operation with Oto Melara to offer this gun system for the Type 26 frigate. Babcock is already known as a leading contractor for weapon support work for the UK MoD and is expert in the manufacture, assembly, test and setting to work of naval weapon systems.

We hold a long-term Phalanx Close-in Weapon System support contract, as well as having the contract to modify Mk8 Guns to Mod1 standard, and providing logistics support for the Mod1 Gun.”

Oto Melara senior vice president marketing and sales Ulderigo Rossi said: “The 127/64 LW medium calibre gun system is now in production for the Italian FREMM and the German F125. We are delighted to be working with a UK industrial team to offer this for the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigate.”


Navantia Launches the Fifth Frigate for the Spanish Navy
Source: Navantia

The frigate, named “Cristóbal Colón” (Christopher Colombus—Ed.) is the fifth of the series that Navantia has built for the Spanish Navy

Navantia has launched on 4th. November, at 14:35, in the Fene-Ferrol shipyard, the F-105 frigate “Cristóbal Colón”, fifth of the F-100 series, that Navantia has built for the Spanish Navy since 2000.

The godmother has been H.R.H. Margarita de Borbón and has counted with the attendance of the Chief of Navy, Manuel Rebollo, the Vice-President of SEPI, Federico Montero and the President of Navantia, Aurelio Martínez.

The construction of this frigate started in June 2007, the keel was laid in February 2009 and it is expected to be commissioned to the Spanish Navy around summer 2012.

The F-105 incorporates modifications respect to other F-100 units, derived from the improvements achieved in the productive process and from the experience gained in the operation of the ships of the series. It is to highlight, that the ship incorporates improvements in habitability and Command and Control System, and has installed the new Lockheed Martin radar, AEGIS 1-D (V).

As well, it will incorporate other issues directed to reduce the crew and the maintaining costs.

The excellence of this F-105 frigate has contributed to the decision, taken by the Australian Navy, of choosing Navantia as the designer of its AWD that is based on the F-105 frigate.


HMS Astute
Source: UK Ministry of Defence

Various media report that nuclear-powered submarine HMS Astute, which [ran] aground off the Isle of Skye last week was damaged in a collision with a tug which tried to free it.

We can confirm HMS Astute was in a minor collision with one of the tugs that assisted in refloating her, following an incident in which she became grounded off the Isle of Skye on 22 October 2010.

Damage was assessed at the time and she was deemed fit to proceed under her own power to Faslane. She remains alongside at Faslane whilst investigations into the incident continue.




The Destruction of USS Maine

Today’s website is The Destruction of USS Maine. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1890 - USS Maine, the first American battleship, is launched.
1922 - Cdmr. Kenneth Whiting in a PT seaplane, makes first catapult launching from aircraft carrier, USS Langley (CV 1), at anchor in the York River.
1962 - USS Currituck (AV 7) rescues 13 Japanese fishermen from their disabled fishing boat Seiyu Maru, which was damaged in Typhoon Karen.


Photo of the Day



The guided-missile destroyers USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) and USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) perform shipboard maneuvers during exercise Koa Kai off the coast of the Hawaiian Islands.

Gator