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



Spawar to Develop Micro-Robot for Ship Boarding
Source: ReconRobotics

EDINA, Minn. --- ReconRobotics, Inc. announced today that it has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific) to jointly develop a Recon Scout Throwbot reconnaissance robot with magnetized wheels that will, among other things, enable the robot to climb up and over the hull of a ship.

ReconRobotics believes that this concept could evolve into a new micro-robot platform that would have immediate applications in maritime piracy interdiction and in protecting the lives of shipboard military personnel. SSC Pacific and ReconRobotics recently unveiled the initial concept of this one-pound micro-robot and its novel marsupial-robot delivery system at the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA) Ground Robotics Capabilities Conference in Orlando, FL.

“We believe that this micro-robot platform could help mitigate maritime piracy threats and protect the lives of naval personnel and anti-piracy teams,” said Alan Bignall, President and CEO of ReconRobotics. “We hope to collaborate with SSC Pacific within the mandates of our CRADA to further develop this robot and quickly bring it and the marsupial robot deployment system to market. In the future this system might also include other payloads and sensors which would increase its versatility and expand its mission profile.”

The marsupial robot deployment system named in the CRADA enables an operator of a large robot to automatically transport and deploy a smaller robot downrange using a customized, ejectable sabot. This system could be particularly useful in reconnaissance, EOD and HAZMAT applications.

The magnetized robot is based on the Recon Scout Throwbot platform, which is widely used by military and law enforcement personnel to conduct immediate reconnaissance within dangerous and hostile environments. These robots are distinguished by their small size, rugged durability, versatility and ease of use. For example, the Recon Scout XT weighs just 1.2 pounds, can be deployed in five seconds and can survive throws of 120 feet. Like the Recon Scout XT, the magnetized concept robot is also equipped with an infrared optical system that enables it to see in complete darkness.


New Contract to Support Falklands Islands Protection Ship
Source: BAE Systems

PORTSMOUTH, United Kingdom --- The Royal Navy’s patrol vessel HMS Clyde will remain in the South Atlantic to protect the Falklands Islands until 2018, following a six year contract extension with BAE Systems to deliver 24/7 support services to the ship.

The move follows an initial five year agreement and demonstrates the success of the company’s partnering approach to deployed support services. Ensuring maximum value to the Ministry of Defence, HMS Clyde’s enhanced capabilities enable her to fulfil the valuable protection role, which previously required two ships, and in 2010 the ship’s crew and BAE Systems team delivered an unprecedented 99.3% operational availability.

Mick Ord, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Surface Ships division, said: “We have an engineer permanently based in the Falklands to deliver all repairs and maintenance to the vessel stationed 8,000 miles from the UK. This radical approach helps us to achieve great results and is helping to shape the way we deliver support services to our customer.

"Our ability to deliver repair and maintenance services to warships wherever they are around the world provides real value to the Ministry of Defence. Minimising return trips to the UK and ensuring rapid defect rectification, helps to reduce costs and deliver maximum availability of warships to meet operational commitments.”

Lieutenant Commander Carl Wiseman, Commanding Officer, HMS Clyde, said: “I am extremely pleased that the contract to lease HMS Clyde has been extended to 2018, allowing her to continue her role as the Falklands Islands patrol vessel, where she has been continually deployed since 2007. The unique arrangement with BAE Systems in the Falkland Islands has proven very successful with the Royal Navy getting high levels of availability providing a widely employable asset for the region.”

HMS Clyde is part of the Royal Navy’s Fishery Protection Squadron. The Offshore Patrol Vessel (Helicopter) was designed and built by BAE Systems and is leased and operated by the Royal Navy, while the company provides maintenance and logistical support to the vessel. Designed to replace the HMS Leeds Castle and HMS Dumbarton Castle, HMS Clyde’s enhanced capability and innovative support solution enables her to remain permanently stationed in the Falklands. The BAE Systems manager based in the Falklands works with local companies and a UK-based support team to ensure all sustainment services are delivered locally.

Weighing in at 1,847 tonnes, the Offshore Patrol Vessel has a top speed of 21 knots and a crew of 43. HMS Clyde is a highly flexible platform which makes a significant maritime contribution to Joint Operations within the South Atlantic Ocean. She regularly operates with fixed wing and rotary wing assets of the Royal Air Force using her air defence radar, versatile flight deck and helicopter-in-flight-refuelling capability. She has also shown her wider capabilities, able to embark and disembark infantry around the islands and reach the many remote settlements within the islands to provide reassurance to the local inhabitants.




Battle of the Coral Sea

Today marks the anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea.




World War II Troop Ships

Today’s website is World War II Troop Ships. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1944 - USS Comfort is commissioned in San Pedro, CA; first ship to be manned jointly by Army and Navy personnel.
1948 - VF-17A becomes first carrier qualified jet squadron.
1961 - CDR Alan Shepard Jr. makes first U.S. manned space flight. Flight of Freedom 7 (Mercury 3) which lasted 15 minutes and 28 seconds reached the altitude of 116.5 statute miles with a velocity of 5,134 mph.
1980 - USS Robert E. Peary (FF 1073) rescues 440 Vietnamese refugees from disabled craft south of Thailand.


Diorama Idea of the Day



The guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94) is underway in formation with ships. To see the original high resolution photo, click here.

Gator