Defense Tech – DDG 1000: On Target
Norman Polmar writes that amidst the Navy’s leadership attempt to explain — some would say rationalize — the massive cost increases and delays in several major shipbuilding programs, the Zumwalt (DDG 1000) program appears to be on cost and on schedule.
Defense Tech – LCS Near Selection
Norman Polmar writes that in an attempt to bring order to the Navy’s problem-plagued littoral combat ship (LCS) program, the Navy has announced that it will “down select” a winner from the two LCS designs. The selection, in fiscal year 2010, will determine which design and hence which firms will be responsible for the construction of a planned 51 additional frigate-size warships.
BBC – Israeli navy ‘seizes arms ship’
Israel’s navy has intercepted a ship carrying weapons some 160km (100 miles) off its coast, the military says.
Los Angeles Times – A training ground as beautiful as the front lines are hellish
A remote Marine training camp in the picturesque Eastern Sierra provides the best terrain in the U.S. for troops heading to the frigid, windy, mountainous fields of Afghanistan.
Defense Technology International – Timing Is Everything
HMS Invincible will be retired in 2010, Ark Royal in 2014, and Illustrious in 2016 – HMS Queen Elizabeth will enter service at the end of 2015, with the Prince of Wales to follow in 2018. At least that’s the current timetable according to Quentin Davies, the British minister for defense equipment and support
I have started a new Web site, using Facebook, entitled P-8 Poseidon God of the Sea. It is dedicated to operational naval news and discussion on the P-8 Poseidon as well as the world wide VP / maritime patrol aircraft community. You are invited to give it a try.
The Times – Hard fight in the desert, soft targets in the cities
The Taliban knew the marines were coming and they left a ghost town littered with bombs before leaving their stronghold.
Associated Press – Russia to buy navy ship from France
Moscow plans to buy a French amphibious assault ship, the first such purchase from a NATO country, as the Kremlin seeks to reaffirm Russia’s global reach. The Defense Ministry also plans to license the production of four more ships of the Mistral class in Russia under the guidance of French engineers.
The Atlantic – Time for Decisiveness on Afghanistan
Robert D. Kaplan writes that Obama needs to get behind his chosen general and put the spectacle of indecisiveness behind him. Otherwise, in the coming months, the Democrats may be seen as having lost a war. And if that happens, not even the Nobel Peace Prize will rescue his reputation.
Defense Technology International – NORAD goes maritime
NORAD has a maritime mission? It most certainly does.
Xinhua – Chinese new naval flotilla sets sail for Gulf of Aden while merchant vessel still held by pirates
A new Chinese naval flotilla was deployed to the Gulf of Aden and waters off the coast of Somalia on Friday to protect merchant vessels against rampant pirates that still hold a Chinese ship for ransom. The flotilla of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has been the fourth task force of its kind that China has sent to the region since the end of last year.
PressTV – Iran domestic submarines join naval fleet
Iran’s domestically manufactured fleet of lightweight submarines makes great strides after three mid-jet Ghadir-class submarines come on stream.
(Thanks to Justin for the link!)
Defense Technology International – Extreme concern in Australia over subs
Senior members of the Australian government are “extremely” concerned about the availability of their nation’s AU$6 billion ($5.5 billion) Collins-class submarines, which face serious operational restrictions because of chronic mechanical problems, notably the state of the diesel engines, and maintenance issues. The ship’s original combat system never worked and has already been changed at a cost of nearly AU$1 billion.
Associated Press – Somali pirates seized after firing on French ship
European Union naval forces captured seven Somali pirates after they tried to take over a French fishing vessel, which repulsed the attack with gunfire.
BBC – Cost cuts blamed for Nimrod crash
An independent review into a fatal 2006 Nimrod crash, which killed 14 service personnel, has accused the MoD of sacrificing safety to cut costs.
New York Times – Japanese Destroyer Hits South Korean Ship
A Japanese navy destroyer collided with a South Korean freighter in the waters off southern Japan on Tuesday, setting off fires on both boats and injuring three crew members.
The Times – Navy surrenders one new aircraft carrier in budget battle
The Royal Navy has agreed to sacrifice one of its two new aircraft carriers to save about £8.2 billion from the defence budget.
Straits Times – Japan navy holds review
Japan’s navy held its triennial fleet review on Sunday, its first major demonstration of power under the country’s new government, which has vowed to cut back on some of its already limited activities overseas.
Washington Post – U.S. tested 2 Afghan scenarios in war game
Greg Jaffe on how the US is using wargaming to explore its options in Afghanistan
The Times – Morale dips for American marines in Afghanistan
In a remote part of Helmand troops are dismayed by the ambivalence of locals and a sense that the Taliban can outlast them.
Associated Press – U.S. UAVs protecting ships from Somali pirates
For the first time, sophisticated U.S. military surveillance drones capable of carrying missiles have begun patrolling waters off Somalia in hopes of stemming rising piracy.
StrategyPage – Naval Hawks Over Arabian Seas
One of the U.S. Navy’s two RQ-4 Global Hawk UAVs recently returned from the Middle East, after a field test of its capabilities. The aircraft made over 60 flights and spent over 1,000 hours in the air. The flights were over land and sea areas, even though the UAV sensors are designed mainly to perform maritime reconnaissance. U.S. Air Force Global Hawk maintenance personnel assisted the navy in tending to the navy RQ-4 while it was on the ground, and for landings and takeoffs. The UAV was operated by navy personnel back in the United States at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. The aircraft was officially called the BAMS-D (Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Demonstrator).
BBC – UK navy forces to return to Iraq
British naval personnel are to return to Iraq to train local forces.
Defense Technology International – Almost The Last, Defender
HMS Defender – launched October 21 on the River Clyde in Scotland – would originally not even have marked the half-way point in the Type 45 destroyer program. Today the ship is the last but one of the class being bought by the Royal Navy.
Associated Press – Navy’s newest warships top out at more than 50 mph
The Navy’s need for speed is being answered by a pair of warships that have reached freeway speeds during testing at sea.
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