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



On Display - Saluting the U-47

MSW Crew member Kostas Katseas offers us a fantastic diorama of the DKM Scharnhorst Saluting the U-47 on her return from Scapa Flow.




Blohm + Voss Launch Production of the First Class 125 Frigate
Source: German Defense Procurement Agency

With an official ceremony in Hamburg on 9 May 2011 Bloom + Voss initiated the production of the first Class 125 Frigate. Among the numerous guests were the Chief of Staff Navy, Vice Admiral Schimpf, members of the Naval Staff, representatives from politics, defense and industry, as well as representatives from the Naval Office, the Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB) and its agencies.

The German Navy procures four Class 125 Frigates, a completely new and innovative type of vessel that will usher in a new era of ship operation. In comparison to the preceding classes the new vessels require significantly less personnel for operation. They are designed for intensive use and long endurance periods at sea of up to 2 years without scheduled yard periods.

The F125 is equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and effectors that support stabilization tasks and, at the same time, provide the capabilities to detect, identify and counter asymmetric threats. The equipment includes a TRS-3D/NR multi-functional radar by EADS/CASSIDIAN, as well as a powerful electrooptical component to ensure the continuous surveillance, detection and tracking of targets at short and very short range.

Production of the first Class 125 Frigate starts at shipbuilding hangar 3 at Blohm + Voss’ shipyard (Source: ARGE F125)Größere Abbildung anzeigenThe Class 125 Frigates will be the first ones to be equipped with four multi-role “fighting crafts”. Due to the F125’s signature requirements these 10 m long boats are stored behind panels in special recesses. They play an important role in the F125’s capabilities and the vessel’s overall construction.

Constructing robust systems and reducing the maintenance resources required while at the same time significantly cutting down on crew size – these are the main challenges of the F125 project.

Delivery of the first vessel, the “Baden-Württemberg”, is scheduled for March 2016. The remaining three vessels will follow in 11-month intervals so that the last vessel will undergo final acceptance trials and be handed over to the Navy in December 2018.


Third Skjold FPB Delivered to Norwegian Navy
Source: DCNS

PARIS --- On the 30th of June 2011, DCNS delivered the third-of-class fast patrol boat, P963-Steil, to the Royal Norwegian Navy. The six-boat Skjold programme is led by a consortium comprising DCNS and two Norwegian contractors with DCNS acting as the combat system design authority and co-supplier.

The Norwegian authorities entrusted the Skjold programme to a consortium of three contractors with DCNS as the combat system design authority and co-supplier. DCNS is working with Norwegian contractors Umoe Mandal and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

Skjold FPBs are designed specifically for maritime security & safety missions in Norway’s littoral waters. The combat system is tailored to demanding environments and reduced crewing. The state-of-the-art communications and sensor suites are fully compatible with active participation in international and NATO-led operations. With a length of around 50 metres, Skjold-class FPBs are heavily armed for their size. The combat system features eight anti-ship missiles and a 76 mm gun that can engage several targets at once at ranges exceeding 12 kilometres.

P963-Steil’s combat system was accepted following a final campaign main gun firing tests off Bergen and sea trials in Stavanger in June 2011.

First-of-class P961-Storm was handed over on 9 September 2010 and second-of-class P962-Skudd on 28 October 2010.

The success of the Skjold programme is the fruit of a long-term partnership between DCNS and its Norwegian partners. Between 1997 and 2004, DCNS demonstrated its expertise in combat system design and development as prime contractor for the modernisation of 14 Hauk-class FPBs for the Royal Norwegian Navy.




Battle of Chesma

Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Chesma.




Italian aircraft carrier Aquila

Today’s website is Italian aircraft carrier Aquila. Enjoy.


This Day in U.S. Naval History

1798 - Congress rescinds treaties with France; Quasi War begins with frigate Delaware capturing French privateer, Croyable.
1846 - Commodore John D. Sloat lands at Monterey and claims California for U.S.
1916 - Thomas A. Edison becomes head of Naval Consulting Board which screens inventions for use by the Navy.
1948 - First six enlisted women sworn into Regular Navy. The Navy WAVES in Naval Reserve, who were the first to transfer to the Regular Navy, were Kay Louise Langdon, Aviation Storekeeper First Class; Wilma Juanita Marchal, Chief Yeoman; Frances Teresa Dovaney, Storekeeper Second Class; Edna Earle Young, Yeoman Second Class; Doris Roberta Robertson, Teleman Second Class; and Ruth Flora, Hospital Corpsman First Class.


Diorama Idea of the Day



Sailors participate in an Independence Day celebration cookout aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64). To see the original high resolution photo, click here.

Gator