Virginian Pilot – Revolutionary combat ship could change face of Navy
Where are all the sailors? That’s usually the first question visitors ask when they step aboard the Independence. The littoral combat ship’s unusually small crew – it takes 40 sailors to operate the $700 million vessel – is only the beginning of what sets it apart.
The Times – Royal Navy called in to repatriate Britons stranded by volcanic ash
Two Royal Navy warships have been deployed to the English Channel to rescue stranded Britons. HMS Ark Royal and HMS Ocean are ready to start a Dunkirk-style relief mission. A third Royal Navy vessel, HMS Albion, is already on its way to Santander in Spain to pick up troops and “may be able to be of help.”
New York Times – ‘Little Ships’ Rerun Finds Its Own Dunkirk
BBC – South Korean president in vow over sunken warship
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has vowed to respond “resolutely” to the sinking of a warship last month near the sea border with the North.
BBC – North Korea denies sinking South’s warship
North Korea has denied sinking a South Korean warship near their disputed maritime border last month.
New York Times – Afghan Marksmen – Forget the Fables and The Weakness of Taliban Marksmanship and Afghan Marksmanship: Pointing, Not Aiming
CJ Chivers describes in great detail why Afghanis on both sides are such bad shots.
Defense Technology International – More From the Littoral Combat Ship
With a crew of just 40 sailors, everyone aboard the Littoral Combat Ship Independence — the General Dynamics and Austal-made LCS, bidding against Lockheed Martin’s USS Freedom for the ultimate Navy contract — is expected to wear multiple hats.
BBC – ‘External blast’ probably sank S Korean naval ship
An “external explosion” probably sank the South Korean naval vessel which went down near North Korean waters last month, an investigator says.
BBC – UK sets up Chagos Islands marine reserve
The UK government has created the world’s largest marine reserve around the Chagos Islands. Islanders, who were evicted to make way for the US air base on the island of Diego Garcia, say a reserve would effectively bar them from returning.
Christian Science Monitor – Navy T-39N jet crash: Why train with low-level flights?
Investigators are searching for the cause of a US Navy T-39N trainer jet crash in Georgia. Before the crash, the plane was seen flying at low levels, which can be ‘terribly unforgiving,’ an expert says.
Thanks to Jordan for the link!
Defense Technology International – Aboard the USS Independence
It doesn’t really look like anything you’ve ever seen, and while its’s capabilities are still far form proven–or even fully understood, even by the Navy–I have to admit that walking up the dock to the brand new Littoral Combat Ship USS Independence this morning in Key West, Florida, was a pretty cool experience.
Associated Press – Japan wary of Chinese military vessels
Two Chinese submarines and several warships were spotted in international waters off Japan’s southern island of Okinawa at the weekend, and Tokyo is investigating what the military vessels were doing there, the defense minister said Tuesday.
Defense Technology International – Addicted to Bulava
The Russian Navy is keen to have the new submarine-launched Bulava ICBM (SS-NX-30) in service despite moderate trial success demonstrated so far. On March 19 the top official from Navy headquarters was cited by RIA Novosti saying that another stage of trials is planned for the end of June.
Economist – New Silk Roads
Since the Silk Road fell into disuse six centuries ago, Asian commerce has been carried not by land but by sea along coasts and island chains, first on monsoon winds and now in the holds of diesel ships. The story of Asia’s post-war miracle is above all a maritime one…The miracle is inconceivable without the ship-borne container…The broad lines of Asian security mirror this watery theme. Since the Pacific War of 1941-45, the United States has enforced a Pax Americana through naval strength and a perimeter of island allies, from Australia to Japan. If American dominance is challenged, it will be at sea. The rise of China and India as military powers has been marked by a large increase in their navies…But Anthony Bubalo and Malcolm Cook of the Lowy Institute in Sydney argue in The American Interest that such a perspective is bumping up against the limits of usefulness.
Virginian Pilot – Va. Beach-based Navy ship captures six pirates
For the fourth time in two weeks, the US Navy has been involved in a confrontation with pirates. The Little Creek-based dock landing ship Ashland captured six suspected pirates Saturday after they shot at the ship in the Gulf of Aden.
Defense Technology International – Fire Scout’s First Drug Bust
A U.S. Navy Fire Scout made its first drug bust April 3 off the deck of the USS McInerney.
Defense Industry Daily – Canada’s CH-148 Cyclones: Better Late Than Never?
Canada’s Maritime Helicopter Replacement Program has been a textbook military procurement program over its long history. Unfortunately, it has been a textbook example of what not to do. While Canada’s Sea King helicopter fleet aged and deteriorated to potentially dangerous levels, political pettiness and lack of concern turned a straightforward off-the-shelf buy into a 25+ year long odyssey of cancellations, lawsuits, rebids, and more.
Thanks to Justin for the article!
(Republished due to a typo in the link – my fault…)
Virginian Pilot – Pirate season starting, and Navy’s gearing up
With monsoon season ending, pirates near the Horn of Africa are ratcheting up their efforts again – and so is the U.S. Navy.
Financial Times – Iran-bound powerboat raises fears
Has a record-breaking British powerboat become the “ultimate toy” for an Iranian playboy or – as US investigators fear – is it now equipped with the world’s fastest torpedoes aimed at sinking an aircraft carrier in the Gulf?
Thanks to Mark for the link!
BBC – Korea ship reaches oil tanker taken by Somali pirates
A South Korean warship has caught up with a super-tanker that was hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean.
BBC – South Korea tanker hijacked by Somali pirates
A South Korea-operated, Singapore-owned oil tanker has been hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean. South Korea has sent a destroyer already in the area to intercept the tanker before it reaches any port.
Defense Technology International – Winter Warfare
Cold Response 2010, the multi-national, cold weather military exercise hosted by Norway above the Arctic Circle recently ended. More than 8,500 troops from 14 nations participated in the 16-day exercise in and around northern Norway’s coast and a sliver of neighboring Sweden. Participants included the U.S., Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Sweden and Poland.
BBC – Nine missing as S Korean boat sinks in warship search
At least one person has died and eight are missing after a fishing boat sank during the search for a South Korean warship.
Associated Press – Norfolk-based Navy frigate captures 5 pirates
U.S. naval forces say they’ve captured five pirates after exchanging fire with them, sinking their skiff and confiscating a mother ship.
Defense Technology International – Exercise Good Hope IV
Exercise Good Hope IV between the German and South African navies and air forces is wrapping up in the next couple of days.
Virginian Pilot – Navy brings new $2.3 billion submarine to life in Norfolk
It’s been months since shipbuilders tightened the final bolts and completed the last welds on the Navy’s newest fast-attack submarine, the New Mexico. But the final piece didn’t fall into place for the New Mexico’ s new Navy career until Saturday, when the ship’s sponsor, Cindy Giambastiani, gave the order: “Officers and crew of USS New Mexico, man our ship and bring her to life!” With that cue, the crew of about 130 ran onto the submarine, marking its official entry into active service.
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