Defense Technology International – Astute Move
The first of the Royal Navy’s Astute-class nuclear-powered attack submarines has finally made it to its home base only four year behind the original in-service date. The navy now intends accept HMS Astute into service in 2010.
Christian Science Monitor – Maersk Alabama: Should ships use armed guards to stop Somali pirates?
Lethal or nonlethal weapons? The attack on the US-flagged Maersk Alabama reignites the debate over how to stop Somali pirates.
Christian Science Monitor –
Five new weapons the Maersk Alabama could use to foil pirates
Defense Technology International – Hot Hot Hot
US Navy amphibious ships operating MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotors will need major structural repairs after less than half their planned service lives, according to a newly released Navy document, unless a new Deck Thermal Management System (DTMS) can be developed to protect the decks from exhaust heat. The only other alternative identified so far is a heavy structural modification to the deck. The JSF is considered likely to cause similar problems.
Associated Press – Maersk Alabama repels 2nd pirate attack with guns
Somali pirates attacked the Maersk Alabama on Wednesday for the second time in seven months, though private guards on board the U.S.-flagged ship repelled the attack with gunfire and a high-decibel noise device.
Ottawa Citizen – Cold Call
Security specialist says nuclear sub’s northern exposure sends a message that Canada should heed: Take Arctic claims seriously.
(Thanks to Justin for the link!)
BBC – Drones scour the sea for pirates
Sleek and sinister-looking, the latest weapon against piracy could have flown directly out of a science fiction film.
Sand Diego Union Tribune – Defusing the threat
The Marines are getting critical info and training to help them defeat improvised bombs.
Defense Technology International – What the Tourists in the Maldives Don’t Know
“Asia Sentinel” an independent website, reports that now India is preparing to reopen the former RAF base in the Maldives islands to surveillance aircraft, helicopters, and possibly ships, to monitor Chinese vessels in the Indian Ocean. Under a deal signed in August, India is also installing radar across the Maldives, linked to its coastal command.
Associated Press – Keel laid for new carrier Gerald R. Ford
Construction of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford got its official kickoff Saturday with a keel-laying ceremony at the shipyard where the $7 billion nuclear-powered ship is being assembled.
Honolulu Advertiser – USS Texas pays icy visit to Arctic
After a dearth of news since it left its base on the East Coast bound for Pearl Harbor, the submarine USS Texas finally resurfaced — near the North Pole. The 7,800-ton attack submarine, with a crew of about 134, last month completed a historic exercise in the Arctic when it became the first of the new Virginia-class submarines not only to operate in the region, but also to surface through the ice.
The Times – Royal Navy failed to open fire as pirates seized Britons
The Royal Navy failed to open fire as Somali pirates seized two British hostages and, instead, watched helplessly as the couple were taken prisoner.
Defense Tech – Russian Defense Industry In Crisis
Norman Polmar writes that the Russian defense industry may not have long to survive.
Associated Press – SKorea troops on high alert after navy skirmish
South Korea warned it was ready to deter any retaliation by North Korea following the two countries’ first naval clash in seven years, reportedly deploying two warships to the disputed sea border Wednesday.
Defense Technology International – Boomer Bust
While hardly an auspicious start, a couple of months delay in concluding the concept phase for the UK’s future deterrent program is – in the UK Defense Ministry scheme of things – almost on time.
BBC – Korean naval ships clash at sea
A South Korean warship has exchanged fire with a North Korean naval vessel.
Associated Press – Saudi navy blockades north Yemen coast
A Saudi Arabian government adviser says the kingdom has imposed a naval blockade on northern Yemen’s Red Sea coast to try to prevent weapons and fighters flowing to Shiite rebels in the area.
The Times – ‘Lost’ cargo ship Arctic Sea gives up its secrets
The crew at the centre of the hijacked cargo vessel tell of their ordeal for the first time.
BBC – US launches ‘Twin Towers’ warship
A warship built with steel salvaged from the World Trade Center has been put into service in New York.
AFP – Russian military plane crashes, killing 11
A Russian Tu-142 anti-submarine warfare aircraft crashed into the sea during a training exercise in Russia’s Far East region, leaving all 11 crew members missing and presumed dead.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.