Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
USS Nevada Successfully Tests Trident II D5 Missile
Source: US Naval Air Systems Command
SAN DIEGO --- Fleet ballistic missile submarine USS Nevada (SSBN 733) successfully launched a test missile off the coast of southern California March 1 as part of the post-refueling overhaul certification process.
The missile, an unarmed Trident II D5, was launched as a single mission test and was the key element of the demonstration and shakedown operation (DASO) process certifying the readiness of an SSBN crew and the operational performance of the submarine's strategic weapons system prior to returning to operational availability.
Navy's Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) oversees the DASO certification process, while various other organizations provide support for the certification.
More than 150 SSP employees and special guests were invited aboard the USNS Waters (T-AGS 45), a Military Sealift Command (MSC) vessel to witness the event and learn more about SSP and the DASO process.
"SSP teams with people from an array of commands and organizations throughout the months leading up to the DASO missile launch. The people representing Submarine Group 9, USS Nevada, Military Sealift Command and our contract partners who witnessed the launch from aboard Waters are a small fraction of those who work with Strategic Systems Programs to ensure we continue to successfully provide the nation's sea-based strategic deterrent," said Rear Adm. Terry Benedict, director, Strategic Systems Programs. Benedict was aboard Nevada observing the crew as they conducted the launch mission.
"This mission for MSC is just one in many that we do. We're proud to be a part of it," said John Thackrah, executive director of Military Sealift Command (MSC), who attended the launch.
Waters is an MSC vessel that provides support during the DASO launch as part of her mission. Instrumentation and personnel such as engineers and scientists are embarked aboard Waters to track the submarine and the missile throughout the launch process.
The March 1 launch marked the 135th consecutive successful submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test flight since December 1989.
"It's quite an accomplishment, we're very proud of everybody that has pulled together for us today," said Rear Adm. Robert Hennegan, commander, Submarine Group (SUBGRU) 9. "Today was a terrific accomplishment for the USS Nevada, for Submarine Group 9, but more importantly for the entire SSP team and for all who are part of delivering the nation's deterrence posture. Everyone has done a terrific job and we're very proud of them."
Nevada crewmembers said they were also glad to see the successful launch occur after such an extensive maintenance period.
"It was the final event of a three and a half-year refueling overhaul," said Cmdr. Alan Schrader, commanding officer for Nevada's 'Blue Crew.' "To get to today, it means so much for me to see that missile go off in the air, and now we're ready to go and do our strategic mission."
Guests who watched the launch from aboard Waters said it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"It was incredible," said Caitlin Hitt, co-president of the Naval Base Kitsap Officers Spouses Association. "Nothing that I ever expected, quite honestly I was shocked at how cool it was when it came out of the water."
Nevada was commissioned in 1986 as the eighth Ohio-class fleet ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). The Ohio-class design allows the submarines to operate for 15 or more years between major overhauls. Each SSBN has two crews, Blue and Gold, which alternate manning the submarines while on patrol to maximize strategic availability while reduces the number of submarines required to meet strategic defense requirements.
HMS Bulwark Rejoins the Fleet
Source: U.K Ministry of Defence
The Royal Navy amphibious landing ship HMS Bulwark has returned to the Royal Navy's operational fleet and is ready for any tasking worldwide.
The ship has emerged on time and budget from an 11-month upgrade and maintenance period by Babcock in its base port of HM Naval Base Devonport, Plymouth.
The project team successfully met significant challenges, including severe adverse weather conditions, to keep the programme on schedule. This was the ship's first docking period since being formally commissioned into the Royal Navy in April 2005.
Having successfully completed three weeks of sea trials the ship has passed the formal fleet date inspection by the team judging her readiness and effectiveness to join the operational fleet.
The Commanding Officer of HMS Bulwark, Captain Alex Burton, said:
"Through an open, engaging and strong partnership with Babcock Marine, HMS Bulwark has successfully met her fleet date. The docking period presented a challenging mix of complexity, time management and detailed and intricate planning.
"This has been underpinned by an overarching desire to succeed from both Babcock Marine and the ship's company of HMS Bulwark.
"Acceptance back into the fleet marks an important date for HMS Bulwark on her path towards regeneration and her future role as the fleet flagship in October this year."
The £30m refit, under an alliance between the MOD, Babcock and BAE Systems, has benefited from the application of Babcock's knowledge and experience gained on sister vessel HMS Albion, resulting in initiatives and improvements being introduced.
Closer working methods have enabled efficiency and cost-effectiveness to be maximised throughout the docking period, to deliver optimum value for money.
The 450,000-man-hour refit involved the overhaul of 1,625 items of equipment, the manufacture of 1,557 items, and the shipping of 398 tonnes of equipment on and off the ship. 215 hull valves have been removed and replaced, 93 tanks opened, cleaned and surveyed, 21 miles (34km) of electrical cable installed, and 8,000 litres of paint applied to the ship's outer hull.
HMS Bulwark now has improved aviation facilities (the flight deck has the capacity to operate two heavy-lift Chinook helicopters simultaneously) and upgrades to the floodable dock to float landing craft in and out, including full tactical night-vision capability for her landing craft and aircraft.
Extensive improvements have been made to the living quarters for the ship's 380 sailors and marines, including bunk spaces, toilets, bathrooms, recreational areas, main galley (kitchen), laundry area and dining area.
The communications equipment has been enhanced, high pressure salt water, drainage and sewage systems improved and the main propulsion system upgraded.
There were improvements to machinery and magazine spaces and IT network capability, as well as defensive weapons upgrades. The ship's outer hull was also treated with anti-fouling paint which will improve fuel efficiency and speed through the water.
The Babcock project manager, Mike Weeks, said:
"A number of challenges have been addressed during the refit, including the addition of 16 alterations and additions during the project, and completion of the refit within the same time frame as Albion, despite an additional 70,000 man-hours involved.
"Successes included achievement of all key milestones, an excellent safety culture, the adoption of a single integrated plan, and efficiency improvements such as the dockside services contract arrangements, as well as an excellent partnering relationship."
HMS Bulwark is one of the Royal Navy's two assault command and control ships. It has a ship's company of 380, a quarter of whom are made up from 4 Assault Squadron Royal Marines.
Up to 200 marines can be carried in dedicated accommodation for long periods and another 500 in austere conditions for short periods. Her flight deck can accommodate two Chinook or two Merlin helicopters. A large floodable dock holds four large landing craft - with another four carried on davits on the ship's sides.
Battle of Hampton Roads – Day 2 USS Monitor and CSS Virginia
Today’s is the anniversary of the Battle of Hampton Roads – Day 2.
In The "Monitor" Turret
Today’s website is the In The "Monitor" Turret. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1798 - The first U.S. Navy surgeon, George Balfour, is appointed.
1847 - Commodore David Connor leads a successful amphibious assault near Vera Cruz, Mexico.
1862 - The first battle between ironclads - USS Monitor and CSS Virginia - takes place.
Diorama Idea of the Day
Sailors practice emergency lowering of a jet blast deflector before graded training aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).
Gator
