Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Russian Mistrals would be possibly built at a new shipyard
Source: RusNavy.com
Two ships of 'Russian Mistral' project would possibly be constructed by new branch of Admiralteyskie Verfi shipyard at Kotlin Island, reports the Central Navy Portal citing a source in defense industry. Firstly promulgated in 2004, plans to move the yard from Galerny Island (historical site of St. Petersburg) and develop its territory by construction of residential, business, and cultural buildings are still actual, said A. Chichkanov, the chairman of St. Petersburg Investments and Strategic Projects Committee.
As early as in 2011, the city will put up for sale the 14-ha territory currently occupied by JSC Admiralteyskie Verfi. It is planned to transfer the shipyard to Kronshtadt which already has a highly developed infrastructure created while construction of St. Petersburg's flood protection facilities.
According to the plan designed by engineering firm Soyuzproektverf which is the oldest national shipyard-designing organization, the new yard's annual processing of flats and profiled irons will be 120,000 tons. New shipbuilding works will be constructed on warplands, so it makes the yard construction process 4-5 years long and needs about RUR 45-50 bln investments. The shipyard is supposed to be constructed by STX which is recent partner of Russia's United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC).
In spite of the fact that the new shipyard will be specialized in large-size civil vessels, Mistral could be also built there without any technical problems, since such ships are designed under civil shipbuilding standards. Although shipwrights of Admiralteyskie Verfi have mastered construction of Kirill Lavrov class icebreaking tankers (length is 263 meters, displacement is 30,000 tons) at their old sloping slip which is suitable to build Mistrals as well(length is about 200 meters, full displacement is over 21,000 tons), it is associated with certain technical restrictions and difficulties. Modern technology provides assembly of such large ships in docks.
During establishment of a consortium consisting of USC and DCNS it was agreed that Russian specialists would build two hulls of the landing ships at national yards under transferred technology. Being the orderer of Mistrals, Russian defense ministry initially planned to purchase one ship from France and build three ones in Russia, but very soon chose the '2+2 scheme' under pressure of French partners.
The Russian tender issued in Oct 2010 was won by the consortium of USC and DCNS which meets Russian Navy's requirements for access to advanced designing and building technologies of such vessels. According to the contract, the first Mistral class ship will be laid down in the coming year; Russia's participation will make 20% with further growth.
Ukrainian sub Zaporizhzhia kicked off powerplant trials
Source: e-crimea
Trials of middle diesel engine have been started at Ukrainian submarine Zaporizhzhia.
According to Ukrainian defense ministry, a damage control drill was held prior to the trial; divers inspected underwater part of the sub and then trials of main electric motor started. Right diesel was tested on slow, middle, and full speed modes.
As was reported by e-crimea, it was planned to commission submarine Zaporizhzhia in May 2011. The sub's mooring trials were conducted in December, sea trials are scheduled in May; after that the sub is expected to be commissioned.
Since Feb 2003 Zaporizhzhia has been under repairs at 13th Ship Repair Plant in Sevastopol. Previously, Ukrainian defense ministry planned to sell the submarine right after her commission.
Currently, Zaporizhzhia is the only Ukraine's submarine; in May 2009 the sub started post-repair trials.
Project 641 diesel electric submarine was built in 1970 and joined Soviet Navy in 1971. In accordance with an agreement separating Soviet Black Sea Fleet, in 1997 the sub joined Ukrainian Navy and was renamed into Zaporizhzhia.
USS Detroit (C 10)
Today’s website is USS Detroit (C 10). Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1904 - The cruiser USS Detroit (C 10) lands a Marine detachment at Puerto Plata, Dominican Replublic, to protect American interests during an insurrection.
1944 - Top Marine ace Maj. Gregory Boyington captured after shooting down 28 aircraft. Boyington went on to receive the Medal of Honor for his actions.
1945 - Third Fleet carriers begin a two-day attack against Formosa, Taiwan, destroying 100 aircraft while losing only 22.
Photo of the Day
The Canadian navy Kingston-class maritime coastal defense vessel HMCS Glace Bay (MM 701) participates in exercise Frontier Sentinel 2010.
Gator
