Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Keel Laid Down Largest Naval Vessel for RNLN at Damen Shipyards Galatz
Source: Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding
On 7 June 2011, at the Damen yard in Galatz, the keel was laid down for the Joint Support Ship (JSS). The ceremony was performed by Rear Admiral K. Visser of the Royal Netherlands Navy.
Further construction of the vessel will largely take place at Damen Shipyard Galatz, supervised by Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) whereas the final systems outfitting, commissioning and testing of the vessel and all of her systems will take place at DSNS in Vlissingen.
About the Joint Logistic Support Ship
The JSS has been designed to operate both in the lower and higher levels of the force spectrum, and measures 205 meter in length and 30 meter in breadth. Total displacement is 28.000 tonnes, speed 18 knots.
The vessel accommodates 180 crew and up to 120 non-listed persons, such as helicopter crew and medical teams. Further large areas for evacuees can be arranged.
The JSS has 2000 lane meters for transport of materiel, a helicopter deck with landing spots for operating two Chinooks simultaneously, and a hangar with a storage capacity of up to 6 helicopters. For maritime support the ship has the holding capacity of approx 8000 m3 of fuel, more than 1000 m3 of heli fuel, approx 450 m3 of potable water and approx 400 tonnes of ammunition.
The JSS has the facilities for loading and unloading operations of materiel and goods in harbors, near the shore or at open or at sea : two Replenishment-At-Sea masts, an elevator and crane for up to 40 tons, a roll on/roll off facility for vehicles, and a steel beach stern construction for accommodating cargo transfer via landing craft.
For self defence purposes the weapon suit consists of two Goalkeepers, two 30 mm automatic guns, and four automatic medium caliber gun systems.
In order to reduce the vulnerability, the vessel will be outfitted with signature reduction measures, ballistic protection, blast resistant constructions, redundant-, shock resistant-, and decentralized systems, a gas citadel and extensive fire fighting systems.
The manning requirement is low as the the vessel is designed with a layout optimized for day-to-day operations and the automation level for this vessel is high. It includes a calamity system, a warning system, an overview system and extensive subsystem automation. Also the communication and networks are state of the art, tailored to operate in a joint network environment.
China Admits 'Secret' Aircraft Carrier Is Nearly Ready for Launch
Source: The Guardian
China has moved a step closer to launching its first aircraft carrier with senior generals in the People's Liberation Army finally confirming one of the world's worst kept military secrets.
Officers from the general staff acknowledged the existence of a carrier, which one of them described as a "symbol of a great nation", amid reports that it could set sail within weeks.
The vessel in question is a defunct Soviet-era carrier formerly named the Varyag that was bought in 1998 from Ukraine by a Hong Kong company on the pretext that it would be used as a floating casino off the shores of Macau.
Instead it has been upgraded at China's Dalian naval shipyard with combat sensors and defensive weapons and painted in the colours of the People's Liberation Army. For several years foreigners have been kept out of the area of Dalian where the work has taken place. But the existence of a 67,500 tonne vessel is not easily concealed and in recent months photographs have appeared in state-run media.
Chen Bingde, the chief of China's military general staff, has gone a step further in an interview published in the Hong Kong Commercial Daily, saying the 300m long carrier "is being built but has not been completed".
His assistant chief, Qi Jianguo, suggested the vessel was both a status symbol and a long-overdue strengthening of China's naval defence. "All of the great nations in the world own aircraft carriers – they are symbols of a great nation," Qi was quoted as saying. "It would have been better for us if we acted sooner in understanding the oceans and mapping out our blue-water capabilities earlier."
Referring to areas where territorial waters are disputed, he said that China faced "heavy pressure" in the South China Sea, East China Sea, Yellow Sea and the Taiwan Straits. But the carrier would never sail into the waters of other nations.
No further details have emerged, leaving military experts to speculate whether the revamped hulk will indeed mark a significant projection of Chinese military power as a "blue water" force or the revamped hulk will hold only symbolic value, lacking the technology and operational experience to challenge the US navy.
The commander of US Pacific forces, Admiral Robert Willard, told the Senate in April that he was not concerned about the carrier's military impact but expected it would make a big impression on public opinion. "I think the change in perception by the region will be significant," he said.
In the past year the Chinese military has surprised many foreign observers with the speed of its weapons development – notably the test flight of a J-20 stealth fighter and a "carrier-killer" missile.
China has yet to announce whether the carrier will be renamed. One report suggests it will be called Shi Lang, after a Ming dynasty admiral who conquered Taiwan – further fuelling unease about its impact on regional stability.
Second Battle of Tabasco
Today is the anniversary of the Second Battle of Tabasco.
USS Ranger Foundation
Today’s website is USS Ranger Foundation. Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1777 - John Paul Jones takes command of Ranger.
1777 - Continental Congress adopts design of present U.S. Flag.
1847 - Commodore Matthew Perry launches amphibious river operations by Sailors and Marines on Tabasco River, Mexico.
1940 - Franklin D. Roosevelt signs Naval Expansion Act to construct ships to increase Navy's tonnage by 11 percent.
1985 - Steelworker 2nd Class Robert D. Stethem of Underwater Construction Team 1 was killed by militant Shi'ite hijackers of TWA Flight 847. He later received a Bronze Star for his heroism.
Diorama Idea of the Day
Not to be outdone by the Navy or Coast guard, British cruise ship Balmoral encountered the rough seas when attempting to transit the Bay of Biscay during a storm. To see the original high resolution photo, click here.
Gator
