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



On Display Feature - IJN Battleship Yamato, 1/700 Scale

Crew-mate Dr. Al Ross (ALROSS2) shares his master build of pre-dreadnought battleship USS Maine in this MSW Feature.



Does The United States Still Need An Amphibious Warfare Capability?
Source: Lexington Institute

Initial impressions of Secretary of Defense Robert Gates’ defense budget were that the Marine Corps was particularly hard hit. Not only did the Secretary cancel the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) but he also put the Marine Corps’ variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter on two-year probation.

If the short-takeoff version of the F-35 were cancelled this would be a serious blow to the Marine Corps’ concept of amphibious operations since it is the only jet aircraft in development that can be launched from large deck amphibious ships. Finally, he announced a reduction in Marine Corps end-strength of 15-20,000 personnel beginning in 2015.

Some observers have set the EFV decision in the wider context of the Secretary’s past criticisms of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps programs. Last year, the Secretary publicly questioned the former’s retention of 11 large deck aircraft carriers and the latter’s commitment to amphibious warfare. As a result, there has been speculation that the Secretary would also announce cutbacks or even the outright cancellation of other major Sea Services’ programs such as the V-22 Osprey and the LPD-17.

The EFV decision begs the larger question; does the United States still require a major amphibious warfare capability? The cost of maintaining such a capability is substantial. If it is to be continued then there must be additional investments to modernize this capability, including ships, vehicles, aircraft and helicopters. Critics of amphibious warfare point out that the United States has not conducted an opposed amphibious landing since Inchon in 1950. In addition, the proliferation of so-called anti-access/area denial capabilities will pose new challenges to future amphibious operations.

The principal argument in favor of maintaining a significant amphibious warfare capability is that it provides an unparalleled flexible response capability to deal with a range of contingencies in an increasingly uncertain and unpredictable world. Large deck amphibious warfare ships have become one of the best platforms from which to conduct humanitarian operations or develop partnership capacity. A related argument to be made is that it is increasingly difficult for the United States to maintain its existing overseas basing structure, much less acquire new bases. As a result, the requirement to deploy expeditionary forces from the sea can only grow over time.

An amphibious warfare capability includes the means to move forces overseas, the capacity to rapidly transfer such forces from ships to the shore, including under fire, and the ability to support them once they are ashore. The EFV was intended to move Marines from ship to shore rapidly and then to support them in combat once there. Even if the EFV is cancelled, the requirement will persist. The V-22 has a similar mission, one it is now doing in Afghanistan. The F-35B will provide unparalleled air support to units ashore without the requirement to have large deck aircraft carriers or land-based airpower in proximity to the theater of operations.

If the U.S. needs a significant amphibious warfare capability it will also need to invest more in enablers. This means continuing the LPD-17 program, finishing acquisition of the V-22, replacing the Landing Craft Air Cushion, upgrading the AAV (the platform the EFV was supposed to replace) and figuring out how to provide enhanced naval fire support for Marine units deploying across defended beaches. It also means developing a new Marine Corps armored vehicle strategy.

There are important reasons to maintain an amphibious warfare capability in the 21st Century. Therefore, the Pentagon needs to invest in modernizing this capability. If Secretary Gates cancels the EFV, somebody will have to invent its replacement.


BAE Systems Develops Non-Lethal Laser to Defend Against Pirate Attacks on Commercial Shipping
Source: BAE Systems

BRISTOL, UK --- BAE Systems has successfully demonstrated a prototype device that will serve as an effective non-lethal deterrent against pirate attacks on commercial vessels such as oil tankers and container ships.

Piracy worldwide is on the rise according to reports from the ICC’s International Maritime Bureau (IMB), with 430 attacks worldwide reported last year, up from 406 in 2009. As pirates increase their range of operations and their capabilities, commercial shipping agents are increasingly looking for ways of preventing attacks whilst avoiding armed guards on their ships.

In order to help combat the growing piracy threat BAE Systems conducted a study of pirate’s behaviour and a company-wide capability survey. This led to the development of the concept of using a non-lethal laser, which would leave only temporary effects, to distract and deter potential attackers from a distance.

Leveraging the capability of its Optics and Laser Technology Department within its Advanced Technology Centre, BAE System’s researchers conducted a number of experiments to assess the feasibility of laser distraction as a non-lethal weapon. The research team has now successfully demonstrated a suitable laser at the Pershore Trials Range in Worcester over a variety of distances in a variety of conditions.

The laser beam is capable of providing a visual warning to pirates at distances greater than 2km, and of disorientating attackers sufficiently at lesser distances so that weapons cannot be targeted effectively. At all times the power levels of the laser remain eye safe.

Roy Evans, BAE Systems capability technology lead for laser photonic systems, said: “The effect is similar to when a fighter pilot attacks from the direction of the sun. The glare from the laser is intense enough to make it impossible to aim weapons like AK47s or RPGs, but doesn’t have a permanent effect.”

The laser was trialled during night and day in varying weather conditions at the Worcester facility. Cameras were placed at the target location to demonstrate the level of beam intensity and divergence produced by the test runs. Beam oscillation techniques were also demonstrated.

The researchers have developed a bespoke Neodymium Yttrium Aluminium Garnet laser which is an effective deterrent at relatively low power levels. By utilising targeting systems and changing beam patterns, the distraction effect can be made more pronounced and be used against multiple targets.

Evans continued: “We successfully showed that the laser works not just during the night, but also in full daylight. But, there are many more requirements to meet before placing a non-lethal laser weapon on commercial ships."

When fitted on commercial ships the laser distraction system could utilise its own targeting capability or integrate with existing ship radar and sensor systems to control the direction and power of the beam. It could therefore work semi-autonomously and would also include security features to ensure it could not be used by pirates if they boarded the ship.

Bryan Hore, BAE Systems business development manager and the lead for the anti-piracy programme, said: “Laser distraction is part of a wider programme of anti-piracy technologies being developed by BAE Systems, including radar systems, which utilises expertise and knowledge from the military domain. The aim of the laser distraction project is now to develop a non-lethal deterrent to pirates, which has no lasting effects, which can work in a maritime environment, be operated by the crew at no risk, and be cost effective.”

The International Chamber of Commerce’s International Maritime Bureau is a non-profit organisation which monitors the number of piracy and armed robbery incidents in shipping lanes worldwide. The vast majority of pirate attacks reported last year, 210, were reported in Somalia. At the present time Somali pirates hold 25 vessels and 586 hostages.

The development of the laser distraction device is part of the company’s where BAE Systems is using capabilities and knowledge gained within the military domain to understand, analyse and demonstrate a layered set of defensive techniques for commercial maritime protection.




Desert Storm – USS Nicholas’ Attack on Dorrah Oil Field

Today’s is the anniversary of the Desert Storm – USS Nicholas’ Attack on Dorrah Oil Field.




USS Nicholas

Today’s website is USS Nicholas. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1911 - First aircraft landing aboard a ship, USS Pennsylvania (ACR 4) by Eugene Ely.
1962 - After a flash fire in the Persian Gulf burned a crewman on the Danish tanker Prima Maersk, USS Duxbury Bay (AVP 38) transfers a Navy doctor to help the crewman. USS Soley (DD 707) took him to the nearest hospital at Bahrain Island.
1968 - Operation Coronado X begins in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
1977 - The Trident (C-4) missile development flight test program commenced when C4X-1 was launched from a flight pad at Cape Canaveral, Fla.
1991 - USS Nicholas (FFG 47) attacks and captures Iraqi oil platforms.


Photo of the Day



The Spanish navy frigate SPS Almirante Juan De Borbon (F102) arrives at Naval Station Norfolk for a port visit.

Gator