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



Great War Campaign (WWI) Invite

Ahoy mates! Do you love World War I warships? Crew-mate Jeremy H (vonHengest) is proposing a KitMaker wide Great War Campaign. Interested? Check out the thread here.




Lockheed Martin Awarded C4ISR Contract for Coast Guard's Fourth National Security Cutter
Source: Lockheed Martin

MOORESTOWN, N.J. --- Lockheed Martin received a $66 million contract to provide the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) system for the United States Coast Guard's fourth National Security Cutter (NSC).

Lockheed Martin's C4ISR system will provide the 418-foot NSC 4 with comprehensive, real-time situational awareness, commonality and interoperability with other government agencies and organizations. Lockheed Martin developed and provided the C4ISR system for the first three cutters – the USCGC Bertholf and USCGC Waesche, currently in service, and the recently christened Stratton, scheduled for delivery later this year.

"The NSC C4ISR system gives the Coast Guard greater capability to conduct its many missions," said Dan Schultz, vice president of Lockheed Martin's Ship and Aviation Systems. "It enables the NSC to more precisely locate suspected drug smuggling boats, rescue distressed sailors faster and improve operational communications with other government agencies. The system's command and control capability enhances the Coast Guard's ability to coordinate relief efforts after hurricanes and other natural disasters."

Lockheed Martin received the C4ISR contract from Northrop Grumman, which was recently selected by the Coast Guard to build the NSC 4 at its shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss. The NSC is the largest and most technologically advanced multi-mission cutter in the Coast Guard fleet, with capabilities to support the service's homeland security, law enforcement, marine safety, environmental protection and national defense missions.

In addition to providing the NSC systems, Lockheed Martin also provided the C4ISR missionization for the Coast Guard's HC-130 J and HC-144 A aircraft.


Rolls-Royce to Power Ten Littoral Combat Ships for the U.S Navy
Source: Rolls-Royce plc

Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, will supply gas turbines and waterjets for ten of the U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) – the Group’s largest ever marine naval surface ship contract.

Designed to operate in combat zones close to the shore (littoral waters), each LCS will be equipped with two Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines powering four large waterjets, enabling the vessels to reach speeds in excess of 40 knots. At 36 megawatts, the MT30 is the world’s most powerful marine gas turbine. Combining this power with Rolls-Royce waterjets makes the LCS highly manoeuvrable, able to operate in shallow waters and to stop and accelerate quickly.

Rolls-Royce is already supplying propulsion equipment on the first two Lockheed Martin vessels and today’s announcement extends this with one firm order and options for a further nine ships of the same design.

Andrew Marsh, Rolls-Royce, President - Naval said: “We are delighted that the Lockheed Martin design has been selected for an additional ten vessels in the LCS programme. We have worked closely with Lockheed Martin and other partners throughout the design, build and sea trials of the first vessel, USS Freedom, and are making good progress on the second ship, Fort Worth, which is more than 80 percent complete and remains on cost and on schedule.”

“The Rolls-Royce equipment, including the MT30 gas turbines and waterjets, combine to give an effective and efficient propulsion system perfectly suited for these innovative, highly-manoeuvrable, state-of-the-art ships.”

The MT30 is derived from Rolls-Royce aero engine technology, building on over 45 million hours of operating experience and reliability. It also has the highest power density of any marine gas turbine - a key factor in naval propulsion where delivering a high power output in a compact space is essential. The MT30 is the latest development of Rolls-Royce marine gas turbines, and has also been selected for the UK Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers and the U.S. Navy’s DDG-1000 Zumwalt class destroyer programme.

The waterjets are among the largest produced by Rolls-Royce and can pump water at a combined rate of 25,000 gallons per second – enough to fill an Olympic style swimming pool in 25 seconds.

In addition to gas turbines and waterjets, a significant range of Rolls-Royce equipment is specified in the Lockheed Martin design, including shaftlines, bearings and propulsion system software.




Midway Atoll History

Today’s website is Midway Atoll History. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1783 - Hostilities cease between Great Britain and the United States.
1903 - Theordore Roosevelt issues Executive Order placing Midway Islands under jurisdiction of the Navy Department.
1914 - School for naval air training opens in Pensacola, Fla.
1948 - Establishment of U.S. Persian Gulf Area Command.


Photo of the Day



(PCU) Fort Worth (LCS 3) is launched into the Menominee River during a christening ceremony for the navy's third littoral combat ship.

Gator