Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Feature - Scottish National Model Show
MSW Crew member Katseas Kostas takes us for a ride on a German S-100 in 1/350 in this nice build.
Babcock Completes Illustrious Refit
Source: Babcock International
Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious left Rosyth today on time and within budget, and with improved capability, to commence sea trials following a successful 16 month docking period undertaken by Babcock. This was the fifth refit on the Invincible class aircraft carriers by Babcock’s experienced team, and took place in No.2 Dock, beside No.1 Dock where Babcock is also undertaking the assembly and integration of the UK’s new aircraft carriers as part of the Aircraft Carrier Alliance.
Capability upgrades have included the Defence Information Infrastructure (DII), which provides a coherent infrastructure enabling information sharing and collaborative working across the defence sector network, and installation of the Bowman communications system and Surface Ship Torpedo Defence, as well as reverse osmosis plants for improved shipboard fresh water production and upgraded chilled water plants.
Improvements to the living conditions for the crew have also been undertaken, including revitalising the mess decks, galley equipment upgrades for improved catering facilities, and upgrading of the sewage plant.
Further maintenance work has included a full Lloyds Register structural survey; major repairs to both funnels; application of a foul release paint system to the hull (improving fuel efficiency and speed through the water); overhaul of high pressure air, fuel and salt water systems and of all the ship’s underwater valves; renewal and overhaul work to the diesel generators; replacing two of the gas turbine engines; and painting of the ship side and superstructure along with the renewal of the flight and hangar deck paint coatings.
The £40 million docking period has benefited from close partnering between Babcock, Ship’s Staff, MoD (local CDR and Capital Ships IPT) and BAE Systems as members of the Joint Project Team, as well as from the application of Babcock’s significant knowledge and experience gained on previous Invincible class aircraft carriers, including Illustrious during refit 2003-2005. Various measures were implemented to maximise efficiency and cost-effectiveness in order to deliver maximum value for money to the MoD and Royal Navy.
Babcock operations manager Charlie Forrester said: “We are delighted to be returning Illustrious to sea on-time and in the best possible material condition, fully capable and, on completion of sea trials, fighting fit and ready to perform her operational duties providing maritime power projection anywhere in the world. The fact that this upkeep period is seen as a major success is down to the hard work and close working relationships of all parties involved.”
MoD Project Contract Manager, Jim Proctor, stated: “The team has achieved a high standard of product against a backdrop of stringent financial control, staff reduction and equipment failure which brought its own challenges, both in re-scoping the work package and sourcing replacement equipment to meet the programme. Working closely together with ship’s staff and Babcock was key to this joint success.”
HMS Illustrious will now undergo seven weeks of sea trials before returning to the fleet at the end of July.
NATO Submarine Rescue Exercise Improves International Cooperation for Saving Human Lives
Source: NATO
CARTAGENA, Spain --- A demonstration of submarine rescue operations, in the framework of Exercise Bold Monarch 2011, took place today at the presence of Admiral Giampaolo di Paola, Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee (CMC), Gen Nikolay Makarov, Chief of Joint Staff of Russian Federation Armed Forces and Admiral General Manuel Rebollo Garcia, Chief of the Spanish Navy, along with other NATO Officials.
The exercise Bold Monarch is the world’s largest event of this kind, bringing together every three years submarines, ships and aircraft from both NATO and non-NATO countries. The 2011 edition includes the participation of Russia, marking it as the first time a Russian submarine participates in any NATO exercise.
Bold Monarch 2011 is designed to maximize international cooperation in submarine rescue operations – a critical capability for NATO and for all the submarine-operating nations.
During the 12-day exercise, submarines from Portugal, Russia, Spain and Turkey were ‘bottomed’ in a sea area just off the southern coast of Spain. Rescue forces equipped with a range of sophisticated debris clearance, diver-assisted gear and submarine rescue vehicles from Italy, USA, Russia and Sweden, together with a jointly-owned rescue system from France, Norway and United Kingdom engaged in a series of rescue operations for the “sunken” submarines. The exercise will conclude in the next days with a 48-hour coordinated rescue and evacuation operation for some 150 survivors, including many simulated casualties, from a ‘disabled’ submarine.
During the visit to the ships, submarine and rescue systems, the Chairman of the Military Committee was briefed on how this exercises can greatly contribute to enhance partner interoperability, providing specific military training, coordinating military assistance, and cooperating with the chain of command of key nations. Compatibility between rescue assets, standardization of procedures, coordination and cooperation between all national elements, both military and civilian, were among the exercise's objectives shown. The exercise is proving invaluable also for testing the command and control of this kind of incidents under internationally-agreed NATO procedures.
During the demonstration CMC and General Makarov were ‘rescued’ from the Russian submarine through a NATO rescue systems, providing a concrete example on how platforms and procedures can successfully mate.
Thanking the Spanish Navy for hosting the exercise, Admiral Di Paola said that “Exercises like the Bold Monarch 2011, beside the great value of all the objectives in term of improving safety and interoperability at sea, show how much interest and enthusiasm there is, within NATO and beyond, in strengthening networks in the field of cooperation and security.”
General Makarov also stressed the importance of these successful exercises, in light of joint efforts to save human lives.
Battle of Lowestoft
Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Lowestoft.
HMS Ark Royal II
Today’s website is HMS Ark Royal II. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1881 - USS Jeannette crushed in Arctic ice pack.
1967 - Operation Great Bend in Rung Sat Zone, Vietnam.
Diorama Idea of the Day
Rough seas pound the hull of Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8 ) as she sails alongside Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) while preparing for a replenishment at sea. To see the original high resolution photo, click here.
Gator
