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



Review - USS Independence CVL-22

MSW Crewmember Julian Sallows (gremlin56) shares his thoughts on Dragon Models newest Smart Kit, the 1/350 U.S.S. Independence CVL-22.




Wasp Moves to BAE Shipyard
Source: US Navy

PORTSMOUTH, Va. --- USS Wasp (LHD 1) made a "dead-stick" move down the Elizabeth River Jan. 13, to BAE Systems Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va., to begin the multipurpose amphibious assault ship's scheduled Phased Maintenance Availability (PMA).

"This is a $16 million CNO (chief of naval operations) availability primarily focused on critical work in the engineering department," said Capt. Brenda Holdener, USS Wasp commanding officer.

"In addition, we are doing $4.6 million of work for modifications to support the Joint Strike Fighter testing. It is much-needed work to improve the material condition of Wasp."

The PMA is a chief of naval operations maintenance period, less than six months in duration, for the accomplishment of labor-intensive industrial maintenance and modernization. During the availability, the ship will be in an extensive industrial environment with limited hotel services, with electricity and intermittent periods of potable water being available for use.

"While in the yards, Wasp will accomplish upgrades to both boilers and receive needed maintenance throughout the ship to sustain a high degree of condition readiness," said Cmdr. Stephen W. Connell, USS Wasp chief engineer.

The PMA is running concurrently with Wasp's Continuous Maintenance Availability (CMAV), which began in August 2010. While the PMA is specific to the JSF modifications and boiler upgrades, the CMAV is a more general maintenance period.

"There is a lot of work that needs to be done," said Lt. Cmdr. Arthur E. Harvey, USS Wasp maintenance officer. "Our plate is full, but with team work and coordination we will accomplish all of our objectives."

Because the ship will remain pier side for an extended period of time, many Wasp Sailors are using the time to attend schools and off-ship training. It is also a period where the crew can expect a regular schedule of drills to keep their skills sharp and to ensure continuity for when the ship leaves the yards.

"Operational readiness and success in the certification phase starts with effective training and drilling in the yards," said Cmdr. Howard B. Link, USS Wasp operations officer. "It is always a challenge to balance the demands of a heavy workload with a drill schedule, but it is necessary to make this extra effort to maintain readiness."

Wasp, the lead ship of its class, was commissioned July 29, 1989. Wasp is the tenth ship to bear the name Wasp. The 844-foot ship weighs 40,532 tons and carries a crew of approximately 1,000. Wasp was selected in 2010 to be the test platform for the F-35B Lightning II, the short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variant of the JSF.


GE38 Looking to Take to the Sea
Source: GE Aviation

LYNN, MA --- GE Aviation is excited to leverage the modern technology and proven performance of the GE38 into an ideal engine option for marine applications.

The GE38 is the most technologically advanced turboshaft engine in its class, and it has been selected to power the Sikorsky CH-53K helicopter in development for the United States Marine Corps. Compared to its T64 turboshaft engine predecessor, the GE38 provides 57% more power within the same envelope, 18% better fuel consumption, and has 63% few parts.

The marine version of the GE38 is identical to its aircraft engine cousin with the exception of some control schedules in the Full Authority Digital Engine Controls (FADEC) software. GE is also looking to leverage this existing technology to offer the United States Navy maintenance commonality, smaller logistics footprint, as well as lower operating and support costs. GE Aviation believes the low-risk GE38 has ideal performance specifications for the U.S. Navy's Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) program and electric power generation for DDG-51-class destroyers.

GE38 development testing is well underway at its Lynn, Massachusetts, facility. The engine has established a facility turboshaft horsepower record, eclipsing 7,500 shaft horsepower. Overall development testing features five factory test engines that will accumulate approximately 5,000 hours. To date, more than 300 hours have been logged on two engines. Overall engine performance is excellent and specific fuel consumption and power is better than predicted.

GE38 operating attributes and benefits are what make this the optimal engine choice for the U.S. Navy's new SSC program, according to Brien Bolsinger, GE Marine general manager. "The GE38 is ideally suited to perform very well as a marine application. The engine was designed with corrosion-resistant materials to operate in harsh marine environments and its modular design - which has sealed oil sumps and accessible gearbox -- provides for ease of field maintenance. In addition, aerodynamics, materials and cooling schemes are inherently designed into the GE38 for durable and efficient operation."

Bolsinger also states, an engine-mounted FADEC with prognostics and health management improves GE38 performance and reduces maintenance costs. Several pieces of support equipment have been eliminated to help minimize the GE38 engine footprint and to reduce operating and support costs by remaining installed longer.

The U.S. Navy's new air cushion SSC will transport vehicles, cargo and personnel from ship to shore and/or sea base to shore. The SSC is expected to replace the U.S. Navy's Landing Craft Air Cushion vessels.

A GE38 powered turbine-generator set can also offer an efficient source of electric power when coupled with an electric generator for DDG-51-class destroyers and future U.S. Navy surface combatants (estimated 15% fuel savings over today's turbine-generator sets).




Battle of Dogger Bank

Today’s is the anniversary of the Battle of Dogger Bank.




Midway Atoll History

Today’s website is Midway Atoll History. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1942 - During the World War II Battle of Makassar Strait, U.S. destroyers attack a Japanese convoy in the first naval surface action in the Pacific.
1986 - The Coral Sea (CV 43) and Saratoga (CV 60) carrier battle groups conduct freedom of navigation exercises in and near the Gulf of Sidra, demonstrating the long-standing United States' refusal to recognize Colonel Khadafi's attampt to include the gulf in Libyan territorial waters,
1991 - Helicopters from USS Leftwich (DD 984) and USS Nicholas (FFG 47) recapture the first Kuwaiti territory from Iraqi forces.


Photo of the Day



USS Gridley (DDG 101), center, and USS Stockdale (DDG 106), far left, cruise in formation with the Republic of Singapore Navy frigate RSS Stalwart (72).

Gator