Welcome to MSW’s Scuttlebutt! Here’s the news for the day.
Feature - USS Bainbridge CGN-25
MSW Crew member Peter Van Buren sends us an image gallery of his latest build, the USS Bainbridge CGN-25.
Second Fleet Sets Sortie Condition in Preparation for Hurricane Irene
Source: US Navy
NORFOLK (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet ordered all U.S. Navy ships in the Hampton Roads, Va., area to set Sortie Condition Bravo Aug. 23, in order to maintain fleet readiness as a precaution due to the approach of Hurricane Irene.
Sortie Condition Bravo requires that ships make necessary preparations to get underway within 24 hours.
The setting of a sortie condition does not mean the actual sortie is inevitable. Should weather forecasts indicate, the sortie condition may be downgraded at any time.
While Hurricane Irene is currently a category II hurricane, it is forecasted to strengthen during the next 72 hours. Irene's current track indicates a possible landfall along the Virginia and North Carolina coasts late Aug. 27 as a major category III hurricane.
"We learned last hurricane season with Hurricane Earl that we must be prepared even sooner to make the decision to sortie," said Vice Adm. Daniel Holloway, Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet. "If the decision is made to sortie the fleet, as prudent mariners we must ensure that our ships have enough time to avoid storm damage and transit out of the path of the storm, well ahead of it."
"Now is also a critical time for family readiness," said Holloway. "Families should take this time in advance of a pending storm to review or make their plan and verify that their survival kits have everything that they will need if the hurricane makes landfall in Hampton Roads."
US Navy Exercise Proves Critical Fleet Mine Countermeasure Capabilities
Source: Raytheon Company
TEWKSBURY, Mass. --- The U.S. Navy announced the successful launch and recovery of the Remote Multi-Mission Vehicle (RMMV) carrying the Raytheon-developed AN/AQS-20A minehunting sonar. The launch and recovery was the first demonstration of the unmanned, remotely-operated RMMV deployed from the USS Independence (LCS 2) while underway.
AN/AQS-20A is a critical element of the U.S. Navy's mine countermeasure capability and the only minehunting sonar sensor developed, tested and certified for RMMV deployment. AN/AQS-20A is the most advanced mine warfare sensor to be deployed from multiple search platforms.
"This exercise has proven the capabilities of both the RMMV and AQS-20A, testing both stability and performance in an operational environment," said Steve Lose, U.S. Navy program manager for Unmanned Maritime Vehicles (PMS 403). "The advancements of the AN/AQS-20A bring our minehunting capabilities to the next level; and with the adaptability of the system for both helicopter and RMMV deployment, we extend our ability to effectively and efficiently ensure the safety of the fleet."
Raytheon provides both the AN/AQS-20A and the AN/ASQ-235 Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS), which are two of the components in the mine countermeasure mission package for the Littoral Combat Ship class. Supporting mine-clearing operations in both deep-ocean and littoral waters, AN/AQS-20A detects, localizes and identifies bottom, close-tethered and volume mines, and AMNS re-acquires and neutralizes mines found by AN/AQS-20A.
Considered critical components of the Navy's organic mine countermeasure arsenal, the advanced technologies of these systems deliver a comprehensive, end-to-end solution – detect to neutralize – enabling the Navy to safely and effectively execute its mission with reduced risk to its ships and crews.
AN/AQS-20A has been successfully integrated into both the MH-60S and the MH-53E airborne mine countermeasures helicopters. In addition, the AMNS has been successfully integrated into the MH-60S helicopter. AN/AQS-20A has been effectively operated from the AN/WLD-1 Remote Minehunting System, and now successfully deployed from LCS 2.
The AN/AQS-20A system is towed undersea to scan the water in front and to the sides of the vehicle as well as below for anti-shipping mines. The system uses sonar and electro-optical sensors to provide high-resolution images of mines and mine-like objects as well as high-precision location information.
AMNS is deployed from the MH-60S multi-mission helicopter to locate and destroy underwater anti-shipping mines previously detected by the AN/AQS-20A mine hunting sonar. The system consists of a helicopter-based control console as well as a launch and handling system equipped with four unmanned Archerfish™ neutralizer vehicles that destroy mines via remote control from the operator in the helicopter.
Developmental and operational testing of the AN/AQS-20A and AMNS began in 2002. Deliveries under current contracts continue, with 15 AN/AQS-20A and five AMNS systems delivered to date.
Battle of Eastern Solomons
Today is the anniversary of the Battle of Eastern Solomons.
USS New Orleans (CA-32)
Today’s website is USS New Orleans (CA-32). Enjoy.
This Day in U.S. Naval History
1814 - British invasion of Maryland and Washington, D.C.; Washington Navy Yard and ships burned to prevent capture by the British.
1912 - Launching of USS Jupiter (AC 3), first electrically-propelled Navy ship.
1942 - U.S. carrier aircraft begin two-day Battle of Eastern Solomons where a Japanese task force is defeated and one Japanese carrier sunk. Japanese recall expedition to recapture Guadalcanal.
1960 - USS Bexar (APA 237) deploys to Pangahan Province in response to emergency request for aid from the Province's governor.
Diorama Idea of the Day
The amphibious transport-dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) transits Indian Ocean. is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility during a deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. To see the original high resolution photo, click here.
Gator
