US Navy – Can Heliplane Fill the 'Connector' Gap in Navy's Sea Basing Concept?

Sea Power – The Pentagon Office of Force Transformation and the Navyís fleet readiness and logistics office are assessing a 50-year-old technology to fill one of the biggest gaps in a naval warfighting concept for the future. The heliplane, a hybrid craft with both a rotor and wings, might be a way to provide the fleet with heavy lift ìconnectorsî to rapidly move troops and materiel from ships at sea to tactical units ashore.

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US Marines – New Communication System Will Link Marines Ashore to Sea Base

Sea Power – To address challanges faced by Marines in Afghanistan in 2001, the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory developed a new portable, over-the-horizon communications system that is being tested by Marine units in Iraq to assess its link between command centers, fire-support commanders and tactical units ashore during operations. The Expeditionary Tactical Communications System (ETCS) is a voice and data link between tactical units ó down to the company, platoon or squad level ó and their combat commanders. It is envisioned as a solution for rapidly advancing units that outstretch their ability to communicate with commanders.

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Canadian Navy – Canadian navy takes possession of fourth Victoria-class submarine in Scotland

Canadian Press – The Canadian navy has taken possession of its fourth and final Victoria-class submarine from the British navy. However, the process of equipping the boat with Canadian torpedo and fire-control systems will be delayed, as the navy’s behind-schedule submarine program struggles to get up to speed.
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History – Football over Baseball Was a No-Brainer

Naval History – He won the 1960 Heisman Trophy as the top college football player in the nation, becoming the first of only two U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen (Roger Staubach being the second, in 1963) to win the award. After serving in surface ships during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War, he played for the American Football Leagueís Boston Patriots. He talked recently about his extraordinary career, including the real reason he chose pro football over baseball.

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