Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
U.S. Navy's Amphibious Transport Dock Anchorage (LPD 23) Christened at Ingalls Shipbuilding Avondale Operations
Source: Huntington Ingalls Industries
AVONDALE, La. --- Nearly 1,200 guests attended the christening of Anchorage (LPD 23), the seventh ship in the USS San Antonio class of ships being built by Ingalls Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries. LPD 23 officially received its name when ship sponsor Annette Conway broke a bottle across the ship's bow at the culmination of the ceremony held at the company's Avondale Operations.
"Amphibious ships like the new and improved Anchorage--the seventh of the superb San Antonio class--are among the most useful ships in our fleet," said the Honorable Robert O. Work, Under Secretary of the Navy and the ceremony's principal speaker. "In my view, they are the most iconic symbol of the power of the Navy-Marine Corps team. A team forged in battle, tested over time and better for the unbreakable bond between the two services.
"To the officers and crew of Anchorage, we extend our deepest gratitude," Work continued. "We commit to you the best this nation can provide to ensure you may prevail in your future missions and return home safe."
Anchorage is the first ship to be christened under the Huntington Ingalls Industries name. America's largest military shipbuilder was previously a business sector of Northrop Grumman until effectively separating on March 31 in a spinoff of the company to shareholders.
LPD 23 is the second ship named Anchorage. The first ship, LSD 36, also built at Ingalls Shipbuilding, completed 19 missions to become a highly decorated Marine amphibious landing ship before her decommissioning in 2003.
"LPD 23's history is yet to be made," said Irwin F. Edenzon, president, Ingalls Shipbuilding. "However, I assure you that we have built her well, and we'll watch with pride as she sails away next year to join the fleet in service to our nation. There are many things that we're doing every day to build better ships, faster and more cost effectively and, most important, keeping our shipbuilders working safely. Our shipbuilders build the greatest ships in the world for the greatest Navy and Marine Corps the world has ever known."
George Vakalis, municipal manager of Anchorage, Alaska, also spoke, saying, "This is a significant event for us and for the Navy and Marine Corps because of the capabilities this ship provides them. We are very appreciative to have a ship named for our city, Anchorage. We love our military."
Ingalls Shipbuilding has delivered the first five ships of the LPD 17 class, LPDs 17-21. San Diego (LPD 22) will undergo sea trials this summer; Arlington (LPD 24) was christened on March 26, and Somerset (LPD 25) is more than 50 percent complete and will be launched in 2012.
Anchorage is currently 82 percent complete and is expected to be delivered in the second quarter of 2012.
"Today's shipbuilding decisions do not determine naval issues today, they lay the foundations for naval action one, two and three decades into the future," said Rear Adm. David Lewis, the Navy's program executive officer for ships. "Shipbuilding is an act of faith, an affirmation of hope, a promise to future Americans that we, of this generation, will meet our commitments to them--just as our predecessors have met their commitments to us, today, with this ship and her sisters in shipyards across our great land."
The 11 ships of the LPD 17 class are a key element of the Navy's ability to project power ashore. Collectively, the ships functionally replace more than 40 ships (LPD 4, LSD 36, LKA 113, and LST 1179 classes of amphibious ships), providing the Navy and Marine Corps with modern, sea-based platforms that are networked, survivable and built to operate with 21st century platforms, such as the MV-22 Osprey.
U.S. Navy Cmdr. Brian Quin is LPD 23's prospective commanding officer.
The LPD 17-class ships are 684 feet long and 105 feet wide and displace approximately 25,000 tons. Their principal mission is to deploy the combat and support elements of Marine Expeditionary Units and Brigades. The ships can carry up to 800 troops and have the capability of transporting and debarking air cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing crafts, augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft such as the MV-22. These ships will support amphibious assault, special operations or expeditionary warfare missions through the first half of the 21st century.
US Navy Chief Sees UCAVs on Carriers by 2018
Source: US Navy
WASHINGTON --- The chief of naval operations (CNO) delivered remarks and answered questions at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., May 13.
CNO Adm. Gary Roughead discussed a multitude of topics affecting the future of the Navy and its operational ability, especially in regards to unmanned systems.
Roughead spoke about the Navy's expectations as it evolves unmanned technology. "As we put this unmanned enterprise together, my direction to my people is that it has to be flexible, it has to be movable and it has to be agile," said Roughead.
When talking about unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Roughead discussed the exciting milestones the community has made and mentioned the success naval aviation has had with UAVs aboard aircraft carriers.
"We remain committed to getting a squadron of UCLASS (Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike System) on board an aircraft carrier by 2018," said Roughead. "I would say if you are a young Sailor coming into naval aviation today you are looking at an entirely new fleet."
He spoke about the advancements in the Navy's unmanned underwater vehicles, and the road to creating a proficient energy solution.
"I've challenged the technical community, the research community and the academic community to give safe, ship-board, long duration power, and I have been extraordinarily pleased with the response that we have seen in that technology," said Roughead.
Whether he was discussing unmanned technology or other naval advances, Roughead said creative problem-solving is one of the reasons why the U.S. Navy is the most powerful fleet in the world.
"Innovation in the Navy is something we are proud of, and we have seen it transform naval warfare," said Roughead.
US Navy Chief Sees UCAVs on Carriers by 2018
Source: US Navy
MARINETTE, Wis. --- A Lockheed-led industry team reached a key milestone with the "light off" of the ship service diesel generators onboard the nation's third Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), Fort Worth.
The generator light off signifies the ship is ready to run on its own power and this milestone included the successful light off of the ship's four 750-kilowatt Fincantieri Isotta Fraschini diesel generators. Fort Worth will undergo a series of light offs in coming months in preparation for sea trials, scheduled for later this year. During this time, the Lockheed Martin team will continue its dock-side testing of the ship's systems at Marinette Marine. Fort Worth will be delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2012.
"The generator light off is an important milestone in preparing Fort Worth to complete testing and set sail, bringing us one step closer to delivering the Navy its next ship in this class," said Joe North, vice president of Lockheed Martin's Littoral Ship Systems business. "Throughout this process, the team has remained focused on building on our experience while remaining on schedule and on budget."
The Lockheed Martin industry team designed and constructed the nation's first LCS, USS Freedom, which has sailed more than 50,000 nautical miles and demonstrated its capabilities since its commissioning in 2008. Based in its homeport of San Diego, Calif., the ship completed a highly successful maiden deployment in 2010 and is now fully integrated into the fleet.
In addition to Marinette Marine Corporation, a Fincantieri company, the Lockheed Martin-led team for LCS 3 includes naval architect Gibbs & Cox as well as best-of-industry domestic and international companies.
Battle of the Denmark Strait
Yesterday marked the anniversary of the Battle of the Denmark Strait.
HMS Hood Association
Today’s website is HMS Hood Association. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1952 - USS Iowa (BB 61) bombards Chongjin, Korea.
1973 - Launch of Skylab 2 mission, which was first U.S. manned orbiting space station. It had an all Navy crew of Capt. Charles Conrad Jr. (commanding), Cmdr. Joseph P. Kerwin, and Cmdr. Paul J. Weitz.
Diorama Idea of the Day
A US cruiser ploughs through rough seas. To see the original high resolution photo, click here.
Gator
