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



Feature – USS Tirante

MSW Crewmember Karl Zingheim (CAPTSONGHOUSE) shares with us another historic story of the USS Tirante's attack on the Hakuju Maru in Ha Shima's harbor.




Bluefin Awarded Contract to Develop Mine and IED Neutralization Variant of HAUV
Source: Bluefin Robotics

QUINCY, MA --- Bluefin Robotics, a leader in the design and manufacturing of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), was awarded a contract to develop a robotic ship hull mine and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) identification and neutralization capability for use in Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal. A manipulator arm will be integrated onto the HAUV, a hovering AUV designed specifically for ship hull inspection. HAUN-N is the name of the new variant of the HAUV.

“We are looking forward to the opportunity to leverage the work done on the HAUV and under our other underwater systems programs for this important US Navy requirement,” said David. P. Kelly, President and CEO of Bluefin Robotics.

The current practice for hull mine/IED identification and neutralization involves sending divers to scan the hull for targets and, when found, to mark them and neutralize them manually. The Bluefin Team—consisting of Bluefin Robotics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory of Oak Ridge, Tennessee and Orca Maritime of San Diego, California—proposes to accomplish the task with an HAUV-N equipped with a high-precision manipulator arm and a video camera. The AUV will be capable of maintaining station at the target while a remote operator neutralizes the device, thereby keeping divers out of harm's way and completing the task more expeditiously.

Development of HAUV began in 2002 as an Office of Naval Research (ONR) program to automate hull searches. HAUV's development has undergone a series of developmental steps, culminating with the successful demonstration of 100% non-complex area coverage in 2008. In 2011, Bluefin was awarded a $30 million contract modification exercising the production option for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Hull Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Localization System (HULS).

The Office of Naval Research is the contracting office for the Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal program.


Bluefin Robotics manufactures and develops Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) systems and technology. Founded in 1997, the company has grown to become a world leader in AUV products designed for defense, commercial, and scientific applications. Bluefin Robotics is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Battelle.


HMS Lancaster to Get New Lease of Life
Source: BAE Systems

PORTSMOUTH, United Kingdom --- The Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate, HMS Lancaster, is undergoing an extensive refit at Portsmouth Naval Base as part of a £17.9 million contract with BAE Systems, reflecting the Company’s continued growth in support services.

The mid-life upkeep will significantly upgrade the capability of the 20 year old frigate to ensure she is ready to fulfil future operational commitments. The work includes upgrades to the ship’s Seawolf guided missile system, command system, communications and the installation of a small calibre 30mm gun system, which can be remotely operated. This will boost her air defence capability, improve the ship’s situational awareness and make it easier to enable future systems upgrades as operational requirements evolve.

A significant amount of work will also be undertaken on the ship’s hull as well as its power and propulsion machinery. This includes a new coating of underwater paint, which will deliver greater operational efficiency and reduced fuel consumption, refurbishment of her diesel generators and replacement of shafts and propellers.

Captain Tim Chidley, Superintendent Fleet Maintenance at Portsmouth Naval Base, said: “HMS Lancaster’s refit shows how even well founded relationships can learn and be strengthened. Novel integrated approaches to planning the project, adopting a more structured approach to partnering and challenging ourselves to improve through innovation have given this project added momentum. Getting all parties to look beyond ‘the contract’ to the ship’s return to operations has fostered real focused enthusiasm at all levels around a common aim.”

Barry Woolley, Head of the Ship Support Integrated Operations Team at BAE Systems, said: “The work that we are now undertaking in partnership with the Royal Navy here in Portsmouth will boost the war fighting capability of HMS Lancaster to ensure that she returns to the fleet in 12 months, fighting fit and continues to deliver exceptional capability to the Royal Navy for years to come.”

The project team conducted extensive surveys of the ship and her systems prior to the start of work in order to optimise planning and preparations for the refit. The project is expected to complete in March 2012, with HMS Lancaster set to return to the operational fleet later that month.

Working side by side with the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Naval Base, through a partnering relationship known as Team Portsmouth, the Company provides support to naval base infrastructure as well as the surface fleet. In particular, BAE Systems coordinates all aspects of repair, maintenance and support for the Hunt Class vessels and Type 45 destroyers, helping to maximise ship availability and reduce through life costs, ensuring the Royal Navy has the support it needs whenever and wherever it needs it.




British Pacific Fleet

Today’s website is British Pacific Fleet. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1946 - USS Missouri (BB 63) arrives in Turkey to return the body of Turkish ambassador to the U.S. and to show U.S. support and willingness to defend Turkey.


Diorama Idea of the Day



Sailors and Marines aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) wave to Japanese sailors aboard JDS Hyuga (DDH 181) during a pass and review. To see the original high resolution photo, click here.

Gator