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



Faslane Ready to Welcome the “Mighty Bush”
Source: Royal Navy

The latest addition to the Royal Navy submarine flotilla was rolled-out Thursday, December 16 when Ambush was launched at BAE Systems’ shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness.

The multi-million pound submarine is the latest of the Astute-class vessels which, once in service, will find a home at HM Naval Base Clyde.

The Astute submarines are the largest, most powerful and technologically advanced submarines of their type ever built for the Royal Navy – regarded as one of the world’s most complex engineering challenges.

Ambush marks the 24th nuclear powered submarine which has been designed and constructed at the Barrow shipyards, stretching back to 1960 with the launch of the first, HMS Dreadnought.

BAE Systems Submarine Solutions managing director, said: “The launch of Ambush represents another significant milestone in the programme, following the commissioning into service of HMS Astute in August this year.”

Launching the vessel was Lady Soar, the boat’s sponsor, and wife of Admiral Sir Trevor Soar who is Commander-in-Chief Fleet.

As Ambush left the yard’s massive 270,000 square foot Devonshire Dock Hall, it marked a key moment in preparing the nuclear submarine for service with the Royal Navy.

Thirteen years have passed since the government placed the order for the new Astute-class boats and seven years since Ambush’s keel was laid down and construction began.

Following the naming and launch ceremony, Ambush will now be lowered into the dock to begin a rigorous period of trails and testing.

Meanwhile, construction on the third vessel of the class – HMS Artful – is continuing with the command deck in place and work on the hull almost completed. The fourth boat, HMS Audacious, is also taking shape after the keel was laid last year.

The recent Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) confirmed the government’s commitment to a seven-strong class of nuclear attack submarine and recognised the need for a replacement for the Vanguard class.

A spokesman for HMNB Clyde, said: “HM Naval Base Clyde, the Home of the UK Submarine Service, will see all the Astute class vessels berthed alongside along with the remaining Trafalgar class submarines and the Royal Navy’s Sandown class mine hunters.

“It is always an exciting time when a new vessel is launched and those working at Faslane are looking forward to welcoming Ambush to her new home.”


Navy Launches First Aircraft Using Electromagnetic System
Source: Naval Air Systems Command

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. --- The Navy made history Dec. 18 when it launched the first aircraft from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Lakehurst, N.J., test site using the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, or EMALS, technology.

The Navy has been using steam for more than 50 years to launch aircraft from carriers.

The Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) program launched an F/A-18E Super Hornet Dec. 18 using the EMALS technology that will replace steam catapults on future aircraft carriers.

"This is a tremendous achievement not just for the ALRE team, but for the entire Navy," said Capt. James Donnelly, ALRE program manager. "Saturday's EMALS launch demonstrates an evolution in carrier flight deck operations using advanced computer control, system monitoring and automation for tomorrow's carrier air wings."

EMALS is a complete carrier-based launch system designed for Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and future Ford- class carriers.

"I thought the launch went great," said Lt. Daniel Radocaj, the test pilot from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX 23) who made the first EMALS manned launch. "I got excited once I was on the catapult, but I went through the same procedures as on a steam catapult. The catapult stroke felt similar to a steam catapult and EMALS met all of the expectations I had."

The current aircraft launch system for Navy aircraft carriers is the steam catapult. Newer, heavier and faster aircraft will result in launch energy requirements approaching the limits of the steam catapult system.

The mission and function of EMALS remains the same as the steam catapult; however, EMALS employs entirely different technologies. EMALS will deliver the necessary higher launch energy capacity as well as substantial improvements in system weight, maintenance, increased efficiency and more accurate end- speed control.

"I felt honored to be chosen as the shooter to help launch the first live aircraft tested on the new EMALS track at Lakehurst," said Chief Petty Officer Brandon Barr, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Test Department, Lakehurst. "It was very exciting to knowingly be a part of naval aviation history. Petty Officers 1st Class Hunsaker and Robinson, Petty Officers 2nd Class Williams, Wong and Simmons, were the Sailors on my team who worked together to help make this test a success. We all look forward to seeing this cutting edge technology deployed on the Gerald R. Ford."

"I'm excited about the improvement EMALS will bring to the fleet from a capability and reliability perspective," said Cmdr. Russ McCormack, ALRE, PMA-251, deputy program manager for future systems. "EMALS was designed for just that purpose, and the team is delivering that requirement."

The system's technology allows for a smooth acceleration at both high and low speeds, increasing the
carrier's ability to launch aircraft in support of the warfighter.

The system will provide the capability for launching all current and future carrier air wing platforms – lightweight unmanned to heavy strike fighters.

Engineers will continue system functional demonstration testing at NAVAIR Lakehurst. The team will expand aircraft launches with the addition of T-45 and C-2 aircraft in 2011.




Dive – A Submariner’s Story

Today’s website is Dive – A Submariner’s Story. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1775 - Congress commissions the first Naval officers: Esek Hopkins, commander in chief of the fleet, Capts. Dudley Saltonstall, Abraham Whipple, Nicolas Biddle and John Hopkins. Lieutenants appointed included John Paul Jones.
1841 - USS Mississippi, the first U.S. ocean-going side-wheel steam warship, is commissioned in Philadelphia.
1942 - Pharmacist's Mate 1st Class Thomas A. Moore performs an appendectomy on Fireman 2nd Class George M. Platter aboard USS Silversides (SS 236).
1942 - Sue Dauser takes the oath of office as Superintendant of the Navy Nurse Corps, becoming the first woman with the relative rank of captain in U.S. Navy. She was promoted to the rank of captain on Feb. 26, 1944.
1944 - The first two African-American Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service officers, Harriet Ida Pickens and Frances F. Wills, are commissioned.
1960 - USS Valley Forge (CV 45) helicopters rescue 27 men from oiler SS Pine Ridge. Pine Ridge was breaking up in heavy seas off of Cape Hatteras.


Photo of the Day



The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Hyuga (DDH 181) is underway during Keen Sword 2011, a bilateral exercise designed to strengthen maritime capabilities between the U.S. and Japan.

Gator