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DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 004
Distribution : daily 3675 copies worldwide Page 10 1/3/2008

U.S Sailors found dead in hotel roon in Ghana

Two U.S. Navy sailors were found dead on Tuesday in their hotel room while on shore leave in the West African
country of Ghana, the U.S. Navy said.
The cause of death was unknown and was being investigated by Ghanaian authorities in cooperation with U.S. Navy
officials, the Navy said in a statement. "Currently there is no suggestion of foul play," accoording to Lieutenant Patrick
Foughty, a spokesman for the U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet.
The sailors, who were not identified, were stationed aboard the Fort McHenry, a 185-metre dock landing ship based
in Little Creek, Virginia.
The vessel was docked in the Ghanaian port of Tema, some 18 miles east of the capital Accra, as part of a U.S. naval
partnership program in West Africa. During a six-month mission, the Fort McHenry will train West African navies to
fight drug smuggling and maritime security threats in a region which supplies nearly a fifth of U.S. oil imports.
Foughty said the sailor's deaths would not prevent the training mission from going ahead.
Source : Shiptalk

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Reports seem to sugest alcohole poisoning.

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No Fatalities as Two F/A-18s Crash in Persian Gulf

PERSIAN GULF (NNS) -- Teams from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) rescued all three aviators after an F/A-18E and an F/A-18F that crashed during operations in the Persian Gulf Jan. 7.

The three aviators are safely back aboard the aircraft carrier, and are reported in good condition following an ejection.

The Super Hornets, from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, were providing en route close air support from Iraq when they crashed. CVW-3 is currently deployed to the Persian Gulf with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group.

The Harry S. Truman Strike Group is part of a routine presence of U.S. warships to the region, and its operations are focused on demonstrating an ongoing commitment to security and stability. U.S. forces maintain a naval and air presence in the area to deter destabilizing activities, while safeguarding the region's vital links to the global economy.

CVW-3 consists of Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 11, VFA-32, VFA-37 and VFA-105; Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron 130; Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126; and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 7.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34212

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HMAS MAITLAND DEPARTS FOR EXERCISE MILAN 2008

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Armidale Class Patrol Boat (ACPB) HMAS Maitland deployed on Saturday from Darwin, for her maiden South-East Asian deployment. The highlight of the deployment will be Maitland’s participation in Exercise MILAN 2008 in Port Blair, located in India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Exercise MILAN has been running since 1995 and is organised by the Indian Defence Force as a meeting of Asia-Pacific navies to discuss regional maritime security. The gathering has come to be known as ‘MILAN’, the Hindi word for ‘meeting’. Since its inception, the exercise has continued to build greater mutual understanding and closer cooperation between participating Navies.

MILAN has grown from a small congregation of five nations to nine during 2006 with 20 ships attending from eight countries. In 2008, 13 nations have been invited to participate. This is the first time an Australian ship has been deployed to participate in the multinational exercise.

The ship’s company will also get the opportunity to promote the RAN’s relationship with other Navies through port visits to Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. The deployment reflects the ongoing importance of fostering already close relationships between other regional Navies.

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Russian Su-33 warplanes exercise in Mediterranean

MOSCOW, January 8 (RIA Novosti) - Russian Navy carrier Su-33 aircraft and combat helicopters have launched a training exercise over the Mediterranean, an aide to the Russian Navy commander said on Tuesday.

Capt. 1st Rank Igor Dygalo said a Joint Naval Task Force, comprised of the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, the Udaloy-Class Large Anti-submarine Ship Admiral Levchenko, the Sergei Osipov auxiliary vessel, and other vessels continued to perform a variety of missions in the central part of the Mediterranean Sea.

The Admiral Kuznetsov's main fixed-wing aircraft is the multirole Su-33 (NATO reporting name 'Flanker-D'), which can perform air superiority, fleet defense, and air support missions and can also be used for reconnaissance and the searching for naval mines.

The two-month expedition, which started on December 5, is aimed at ensuring a naval presence "in the operationally key areas of the world oceans" and establishing conditions for secure Russian maritime navigation.

Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said previously that a total of four warships and seven other vessels of Russia's Northern, Black Sea and Baltic Fleets, as well as 47 airplanes and 10 helicopters, would take part in the 12,000-mile expedition.

In mid-August, Putin announced the resumption of strategic patrol flights, saying that although the country halted long-distance strategic flights to remote regions in 1992 with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the ensuing economic and political chaos, other nations had continued the practice, compromising Russian national security.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080108/95710715.html

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Manche : La marine surprend un navire chargé de patrouilleurs lance-missiles

http://www.meretmarine.com/objets/400/10228.jpg

Les services du renseignement maritime ont réalisé une « belle pêche », tout récemment, au large de Cherbourg. Profitant de l'intense trafic commercial de la Manche, le Eide Transporter, chargé d'une cargaison très spéciale, tentait de passer inaperçu pour rejoindre l'Atlantique. De loin, ce bateau pouvait être aisément confondu avec un roulier mais il s'agissait, en réalité, d'un navire semi-submersible. Alors qu'il se trouvait à une quinzaine de nautiques des côtes du Cotentin, la Marine nationale a dépêché un hélicoptère Dauphin pour le survoler et se rendre compte, sur place, de la nature de sa cargaison. Le Eide Transporter abritait, en fait, deux patrouilleurs lance-missiles de fabrication russe, destinés au Vietnam. Du type Tarantul V, ces unités de 56 mètres et 500 tonnes sont, notamment, armées de 16 missiles antinavires SSN-X-25. « Cette opération montre le rôle important joué quotidiennement par les acteurs de l'organisation du renseignement maritime, notamment les structures opérationnelles, comme le COM Cherbourg, la chaîne sémaphorique et le centre de renseignement de la marine et, au travers de la coopération inter-administrations, les CROSS », souligne la Marine nationale. Cette dernière estime que la découverte de l'Eide Transporter « souligne que le trafic commercial maritime peut être d'un intérêt militaire direct, à l'exemple du transport de matériel de guerre, y compris en limite de nos eaux territoriales

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South Korea commissions first Type 214 submarine

The Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) has commissioned the first of three KSS-2 (Type 214) submarines in a closed ceremony at Chinhae naval base. The 1,860-ton Sohn Won-il , which was launched in June 2006 and completed sea trials and acceptance tests over the past 18 months

http://jni.janes.com/public/jni/index.shtml

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Swedish Government Decides On Next-Generation Submarine

The Swedish Government has approved initiation of the design phase for a new generation of submarines and has authorised placement of the order for this phase by the Swedish Armed Forces.

“This is a highly welcome announcement, that is good for Kockums and its employees, as well as for the Swedish Navy. Development work will now be able to continue, and this is important. The announcement also clearly signifies Sweden’s intention to continue its commitment to its submarine force, which has been so successful,â€* says Kjell Gأ¶the, Kockums’ head of corporate communication, commenting on the news.

The following extract is taken from the Swedish Government press communiquأ©:

“The Swedish Government has approved placement of an order by the Swedish Armed Forces for the design phase of a next-generation submarine (NGU). Actual procurement of such a vessel is dependant on a decision to be taken during 2008 concerning Swedish Government approval for initiation of construction.â€*

“The Government believes that development of the NGU concept could offer the Swedish Armed Forces a means of maintaining a cost-efficient submarine force in the foreseeable future. Domestic development of such a vessel could prove more economical than procurement of a corresponding platform on the international market.

“Domestic development of the NGU would also ensure retention of the majority of Sweden’s naval shipbuilding expertise, securing the country’s ability to maintain the submarines and surface combat ships that are currently in service.â€*

“Following completion of feasibility studies, the project will now move on to the design phase. A long-term analysis of the future submarine requirement will be conducted by the Implementation Committee for Efficiency Optimisation in Defence Materiel Procurement.â€*

http://www.defencetalk.com/news/publish/navy/Swedish_Government_Decides_On_Next-Generation_Submarine120014753.php

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Schelde Naval Shipbuilding Awarded Contract for Four Patrol Vessels for Royal Netherlands Navy

On 20 December 2007, the Netherlands' Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and Schelde Naval Shipbuilding signed a contract for the supply of four Patrol Vessels. The contract has a value of 240 million euros.

The four Patrol Vessels will be built for the Royal Netherlands Navy, and are to be delivered in a time-frame between November 2010 and November 2012.

The Patrol Vessels fulfil the operational requirements of the Royal Netherlands Navy for a robust platform with a limited weapon outfit, specifically designed for coastal patrol missions and maritime defence tasks in the territorial waters and EEZ of The Netherlands, The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.

The first two vessels will be built at Schelde’s premises in Vlissingen, whereas the construction of the third and fourth vessel will largely take place at Damen Shipyard Galatz under supervision of Schelde Naval Shipbuilding.

The contract marks the ongoing, intensive relation between the Royal Netherlands Navy and Schelde Naval Shipbuilding over many decades. It also highlights the outstanding reputation of Schelde Naval Shipbuilding as a major naval shipbuilder of patrol vessels, fast-attack craft and corvettes.

The Patrol Vessel as designed for the Royal Netherlands Navy measures 108 meter in length and 16 meter in breadth. Total displacement is 3750 tonnes.

The vessel accommodates 50 crew and up to 40 non-listed persons, such as helicopter crew and medical teams. Further some 100 evacuees can be boarded. The ship’s speed is approx 22 knots. To optimize the seakeeping behaviour of the vessel the hull has been stretched, and the bridge and superstructure are located relatively aftwards.

The propulsion plant consists of 2 main diesel engines of approx 5400 kW each. Alternatively electric propulsion can be chosen for low speed operations.

To support interception operations, 2 large RHIBs and one NH-90 helicopter are boarded. The stern RHIB will be launched and recovered via a slipway in the stern.

The weapon suite consists of one 76 mm gun, one 27 mm automatic gun and two automatic medium calibre gun systems.

In order to reduce the vulnerability, the vessel will be outfitted with ballistic features, blast resistant constructions, redundant and decentralized systems, a gas citadel, extensive fire fighting systems and additional measures to reduce the effects of flooding.

Automation level for this vessel is high, and includes a shore support system, a shore management system, a calamity system, a warning system, an overview system and extensive subsystem automation.

Also the communication and networks are state of the art, so as to support and direct all authorities involved.

The Patrol Vessels will be the first vessels of the Royal Netherlands Navy equipped with the Thales Integrated Sensor & Communication Systems (ISCS), an integrated mast module which integrates practically all RF systems, radars as well as communication and optical sensors on board of the ship in one housing.

Together with this Integrated Sensor & Communication Systems (ISCS) these four advanced Patrol Vessels can face the threats and missions of today and tomorrow.

Schelde Naval Shipbuilding is a naval shipyard that makes optimal use of its know-how and experience from both the military and commercial sectors and is specialized in the design and construction of naval vessels and complex commercial vessels.

Schelde was founded in the year 1875 and in 2000 became a member of the Damen Shipyards Group, the largest Dutch Shipbuilding group now comprising 31 shipyards spread throughout nine countries.

Over the past years Schelde has made great strides in efficiency, subcontracting a significant amount of work and now building more ships than before. Flexibility, Performance and Perfection have become Schelde’s trade mark.

As the supplier of naval surface combatants and auxiliaries to the Royal Netherlands Navy, Royal Schelde has carried out over 50 years of continuous frigate and auxiliary vessel development which resulted in seven generations of frigates and four generation of Auxiliary vessels.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.23623809.1163417339.RVhW@8Oa9dUAAE@uA0Y&modele=jdc_34

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The Sub That Couldn't Shoot Straight

January 14, 2008: Although India has purchased 175 Russian 3M54 (also known as the SS-N-27, Sizzler or Klub) anti-ship missiles, it is now feuding with the Russians over repeated failures of the Klub during six test firings last Fall. The missiles were fired off the Russian coast, using an Indian Kilo class submarines, INS Sindhuvijay. That boat went to Russia in 2006 for upgrades. Now India refuses to pay for the upgrades, or take back the sub, until Russia fixes the problems with the missiles.

Weighing two tons, and fired from a 533mm (21 inch) torpedo tube on a Kilo class sub, the 3M54 has a 440 pound warhead. The anti-ship version has a range of 300 kilometers, but speeds up to 3,000 kilometers an hour during its last minute or so of flight. There is also an air launched and ship launched version. A land attack version does away with the high speed final approach feature, and has an 880 pound warhead. What makes the 3M54 particularly dangerous is its final approach, which begins when the missile is about 15 kilometers from its target. Up to that point, the missile travels at an altitude of about a hundred feet. This makes the missile more difficult to detect. The high speed approach means that it covers that last fifteen kilometers in less than twenty seconds. This makes it difficult for current anti-missile weapons to take it down.

The 3M54 is similar to earlier, Cold War era Russian anti-ship missiles, like the 3M80 ("Sunburn"), which has a larger warhead (660 pounds) and shorter range (120 kilometers.) The 3M80 was still in development at the end of the Cold War, and was finally put into service about a decade ago. Even older is the P700 ("Shipwreck"), with a 550 kilometers range and 1,650 pound warhead. This missile entered service in the 1980s.

Iran may have Russian 3M54 missiles, for use in the Kilo class subs it bought from Russia in the 1990s. China has a dozen Kilos on order, and some of them have already been delivered. China has also received 3M54 missiles. These missiles are considered "carrier killers," but it's not known how many of them would have to hit a carrier to knock it out of action, much less sink it. However, Russian missiles have little combat experience, and a reputation for erratic performance. Quality control was never a Soviet strength, but the Russians are getting better, at least in the civilian sector. The military manufacturers appear to have been slower to adapt.

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htsub/articles/20080114.aspx

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Sub Support Contract Creating Canadian Controversy

Canada's aging fleet of Oberon class submarines had become simply too old to put in the water. In July 2000, their de facto retirement became official. The question was: what, if anything, would replace them? With long coastlines, and a significant portion of its iced-in northern seas used as running grounds for foreign submarines, it was felt that giving up submarine capability was not a viable option for the country's sovereignty.

Unfortunately, the country's purchase of second-hand diesel-electric Upholder Class submarines from Britain ran into controversy almost from its inception. Refit and refurbishment costs for the renamed Victoria Class skyrocketed well past the initial GBP C$ 750 million estimate, and reliability problems ensued. Then, on Oct 5/04, HMCS Chicoutimi was sailing from Falsane, Scotland when it was disabled by a fire caused by the entry of seawater. One sailor died, 2 others were injured, and the boat had to be rescued by British frigates. HMCS Corner Brook [SSK 878] is currently the only Canadian submarine in service. HMCS Victoria [SSK 876] and HMCS Windsor [SSK 877] are undergoing repairs and upgrades, and HMCS Chicoutimi [SSK 879] is in drydock being used for spare parts, as it is not scheduled to have its fire damage repaired until 2010.

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/images/SHIP_SSK_Victoria_Class_Cutaway_lg.jpg

Now the submarines' C$ 1.5 billion Victoria Class In-Service Support Contract (VCISSC) for ongoing maintenance is causing renewed controversy of its own. The government has finally pushed through a decision early in 2008 – but implementation will run into another lawsuit filed by the losing bidder, as well as strong pressure from a member of the Prime Minister's own party. Who also happens to be the Canadian Parliament's recognized authority on its submarines…

The VCISSC contract is seen as an important final stage in getting the Victoria Class into active service at last. It was put out for tender in September 2006, and 3 consortia bid. In January 2007, Canadian Submarine Management Group (CSMG) of British Columbia was deemed "most compliant" due to its points rating, and picked as the preferred bidder. A lawsuit by Irving Shipbuilding caused the government to break off negotiations, however, stalling the deal.

At the moment, HMCS Victoria is based at Esquimalt, British Columbia on Canada's west coast, with a target date to re-enter active duty in 2009. The other 3 submarines, including the currently-serving HMCS Corner Brook, are based/drydocked in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The rising importance of the Pacific Rim is causing calls for 2 submarines to be based at CFB Esquimalt, but this is not yet reflected in Navy plans.

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/sub-support-contract-creating-canadian-controversy-04563/#more

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/wp/images/SHIP_SSK-877_HMCS_Windsor_Alan_Rowlands_lg.jpg

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India Rejects Kilo/Klub Sub & Missile Upgrades

Russia's Type 877 Kilo Class diesel-electric submarines have gained a reputation as an extremely quiet boats, and are in service with Russia (24), China (2), India (8), Iran (3), Poland, Romania and Algeria. India's Type 877EKM Sindhugosh Class submarines [S55-S62] began to travel to Russia for refits in 1997, with S58 INS Sindhuvir as the first candidate. A German-designed, Indian-built main battery has replaced the Russian batteries in all vessels, and India's submarines have also received either a Russian upgrade package of missiles, sonar, and machinery & weapon control systems, or India's indigenous Panchendriya package. The goal is to bring them closer to parity with the more advanced Type 636 Improved Kilo Class variant – S65 INS Sindhushastra, possibly S63 INS Sindhurakshak are already rumored to be at or close to that level.

Now a serious incident has put a brake on the refit program, as India has returned S62 INS Sindhuvijay to its Russian contractor, citing unacceptable performance with its new sub-launched Klub missiles. With the $1+ billion Admiral Gorshkov carrier refit already in trouble, and Russia making hostile foreign policy moves, the last thing the relationship needs is another problem – but that's what it has…

Sindhugosh Class Boats from S58 INS Sindhuvir onward include a 9M36 Strela-3 (SA-N-8) surface-air missile launcher placed in the fin, which can be used when the submarine is surfaced. This armament complements the sub's capacity for 18 heavyweight torpedos. Upgraded subs will swap in up to 5 of OKB Novator's subsonic Klub-S 3M-54E1 (SS-N-27 Sizzler) anti-ship missiles, with a 220km range. This anti-ship missile capability is a new addition to India's submarine force, and is the centerpiece of India's 'Improved Sindhugosh Class' efforts as it multiplies the submarines' effectiveness by several orders of magnitude. The forthcoming SSK Scorpene Class/ Exocet combination purchased from France will also have missile capabilities.

The Kilo Class boats' mid-life refit is conducted by Zvyozdochka's Onega Research & Development Technological Bureau (ORDTB) in in Severodvinsk, Russia. In addition to the Klub-S, it also involves a complete overhaul of the submarine, including its hull structure, as well as improved control systems (Lama-ER, Palladij-M), sonars (MGK-400EM?), electronic warfare systems, and the AICS (Automated Information & Control system) integrated weapon control system. The upgrades reportedly costs roughly $80 million per boat.

Boats with the Panchendriya package, meanwhile, are equipped with an Indian sonar (USHUS) and fire control system designed by Bharat Electronics Limited and the Indian Navy, and the CCS-MK radio communications system, in place of the original or upgraded Russian versions. All remaining submarines after S55 INS Sindhugosh are scheduled to receive it.

The first 2 Type 877EKM Sindhugosh Class submarines were refitted at the Admiralty Shipyard in St. Petersburg, Russia. S58 INS Sindhuvir completed a 2-year mid-life refit in April 1999, and S57 INS Sindhuraj followed. S60 INS Sindhukesari was the first to complete a refit in Zvyozdochka Shipyard under a 2001 contract, and S59 INS Sindhuratna followed and returned to India in early 2003. S55 INS Sindhugosh was the 3rd submarine to complete her refit at Zvyozdochka, and the first to receive the Indian-designed Panchendriya package; she returned to India in late 2005.

S62 INS Sindhuvijay is the 4th submarine to be refit at Zvyozdochka, and the 2nd to receive the Panchendriya package. Which brings us to the issue at hand.

On July 6/06 India's Cabinet added a new wrinkle and approved the purchase of 28 Klub-S 3M-14E cruise missiles, at a cost of Rs 844.58 crores (about $184 million). This subsonic land-attack variant would give Indian submarines land attack capabilities for the first time. Unfortunately the Klub 3M-14E, or its interface with India's Panchendriya package, appears to be the problem in this case.

S55 INS Sindhugosh is reportedly the first submarine to receive this refit (though the timelines don't match), and S62 INS Sindhuvijay the second. INS Sindhuvijay was handed back to the Indian Navy on May 6/07, after arriving at Zvyozdochka's shipyard in Severodvinsk in 2006 for upgrades.

Then trials began for the upgraded submarine. In 6 consecutive, pre-delivery test firings between September – November 2007, the SS-N-27 Klub missiles failed to find their targets. In response, India has withdrawn the 50-man crew sent to sail back with the submarine, and told Zvyozdochka ORDTB that the problem must be fixed before it takes delivery. Indian Naval officials reportedly said it would take another year to rectify the defects, and prove the fix in firing trials.

The INS Sindhugosh reportedly completed its Klub-S 3M-54E1 firing trials successfully in October 2005, before rejoining the fleet and finding itself in an accident. This leaves the cause something of a mystery, unless the missiles being fired were land-attack 3M-14Es, or the upgrade itself was faulty.

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/return-to-sender-india-rejects-kiloklub-sub-missile-upgrades-04581/#more

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CVF could be delayed by up to 18 months

Acute budget pressures affecting the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) departmental planning round have led it to consider delaying the flagship Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) programme by up to 18 months, industry sources have confirmed to Jane's.

However, the MoD insists that that no changes have yet been made to the current schedule for the two ships.

The speculation comes just weeks before BVT Surface Fleet - the nascent surface ship joint venture between BAE Systems and VT Group - is set to stand up. The consolidation of the two companies' shipbuilding and support operations was deemed a prerequisite by government for the CVF project to receive the green light.

The GBP3.9 billion (USD7.7 billion) programme to build two 65,000-tonne carriers for the Royal Navy received its long-awaited go-ahead in July 2007. The ships are currently planned to enter service in 2014 and 2016 respectively.

However, a disappointing Comprehensive Spending Review settlement, and continued heavy expenditure on operations in Afghanistan, has put the defence budget under massive strain.

http://www.janes.com/news/defence/naval/jdw/jdw080114_1_n.shtml

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In Iran clash, war game echo

There is a reason American military officers express grim concern over the tactics used by Iranian sailors last weekend:
a classified, $250 million war game in which small, agile speedboats swarmed a naval convoy to inflict devastating
damage on more powerful warships.

In the days since the encounter with five Iranian patrol boats in the Strait of Hormuz, American officers acknowledge
that they have been studying anew the lessons from a startling simulation conducted in August 2002.
In that war game, the Blue Team navy, representing the United States, lost 16 major warships - an aircraft carrier,
cruisers, and amphibious vessels - when they were sunk to the bottom of the Persian Gulf in an attack that included
swarming tactics by enemy speedboats.

"The sheer numbers involved overloaded their ability, both mentally and electronically, to handle the attack," said
Lieutenant General Paul K. Van Riper, a retired Marine Corps officer who served in the war game as commander of a
Red Team force simulating an unnamed Persian Gulf military. "The whole thing was over in five, maybe 10 minutes."

In a new disclosure yesterday, the Navy said one of its ships fired warning shots at a small Iranian boat in the Strait of
Hormuz on Dec. 19 during one of two serious encounters that month, the Associated Press reported. The USS
Whidbey Island opened fire in response to a small Iranian boat that was rapidly approaching it.
No shots were fired in Sunday's confrontation with five Iranian boats.

If the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, proved to the public how terrorists could transform hijacked airliners into hostagefilled
cruise missiles, then the "Millennium Challenge 2002" war game with Van Riper was a warning to the armed
services as to how an adversary could apply similar, asymmetrical thinking to conflict at sea.

According to Pentagon and Navy officials, five small patrol boats belonging to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards
Corps charged a three-ship Navy convoy Sunday, manoeuvring around and between an American destroyer, cruiser,
and frigate for a half hour. The location was where the narrow Strait of Hormuz meets the open waters of the Persian
Gulf - the same choke point chosen by Van Riper for his attack.
In the incident Sunday, the commander of one US warship trained a machine gun - which fires upward of 10 armorpiercing
slugs per second - on an Iranian boat that pulled within 200 yards of the American vessel. But the Iranians
turned away before the commander gave the order to fire.

Source : Boston.com

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 013

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MoD forced to cut budget by £1.5bn

The Ministry of Defence is being forced to slash its planned budget by £1.5 billion a year over the next three years,
leaving the armed forces vying with each other to hold on to their new ships, aircraft and armoured vehicles.
The Royal Navy's two planned aircraft carriers, central to the armed forces' capabilities, will be postponed by up to two
years in an attempt to delay paying much of the £4 billion bill for as long as possible.
The government announced in July it was increasing the defence budget by 1.5% a year taking it to £36.9 billion in
2010-2011. It also committed itself to building the two giant carriers, a new series of armoured vehicles for the army
and the new nuclear deterrent.
But the black hole in the defence budget is so large — close to £2 billion this year and as much as £5 billion over the
next three years — that the budget increase will not prevent cuts. While spending on a new nuclear deterrent is
certain to go ahead, both the carriers and the new vehicles are again under threat.
Growing rows between the three services over the budget are set to escalate over the next few weeks as discussions
known as "planning round 08" are finalised. The budget problems are caused by the costs of a number of large
equipment projects coinciding in this year's budget.
But they have been exacerbated by the Treasury's refusal to pay the full cost of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In theory, the Treasury is supposed to pay the full bill, but in reality it reclaims the costs of any new equipment
required for operations from subsequent defence budgets. One industry source said the result was that "salami-slicing
is going on across the whole equipment budget" with every equipment project affected.
The Treasury, meanwhile, has renewed its offensive against the RAF's planned fleet of 232 Typhoon aircraft, insisting
the final tranche of 88 aircraft is not needed. It is also demanding reductions in the planned 138 Joint Strike Fighters
the MoD is considering buying from America to fly off the two new carriers.
The RAF is also expected to lose two of its frontline Tornado GR4 ground attack squadrons as part of cuts to existing
forces. The Royal Navy is now resigned to losing a further five escort vessels, all four Type-22 frigates plus one of the
relatively new Type-23 frigates, in the attempt to rein back costs. The delays to the carriers and cuts in frigates are
particularly worrying for the navy which has already accepted drastic cuts in its surface fleet in exchange for the
government's promise that the carriers will be built.
The government cut the Royal Navy's frigates and destroyers to 32, the minimum required to carry out its tasks
around the world, in 2000. But despite subsequent wars and protests from naval chiefs this number has since been
reduced to 25 on the promise of the two new carriers, forcing the navy to cut a number of tasks.
The latest cuts reduce the number of escorts to just 20, compared with a cold war peak of 139. The two carriers,
Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales, are due to enter service in 2014 and 2016 respectively, a timetable already
delayed by two years. They are to be built in tandem with a new French navy carrier and any further delays beyond
two years would place major doubts over whether they will be built at all.

In an attempt to sort out its procurement system and put the budget on a firmer basis, the MoD is this week
advertising for an industry executive to take over as the chief operating officer of the Defence Equipment & Support
organisation. Source : timesonline.uk

DAILY COLLECTION OF MARITIME PRESS CLIPPINGS 2008 – 014

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From Le Monde's web site:
http://www.lemonde.fr/web/article/0,1-0@2-3218,36-999500@51-998691,0.html

Signature de l'accord cr?ant une base militaire fran?aise permanente aux Emirats arabes unis
LEMONDE.FR avec AFP | 15.01.08 | 13h43 ? Mis ? jour le 15.01.08 | 13h43

La France va disposer d'une base militaire permanente aux Emirats arabes unis, en vertu d'un accord sign?, mardi 15 janvier, lors de la visite de Nicolas Sarkozy ? Abou Dhabi, derni?re ?tape de sa tourn?e dans trois pays du Golfe. "En vertu d'un accord de pr?sence de forces fran?aises sur le territoire des Emirats arabes unis", la France disposera d'une "base interarm?es permanente de 400 ? 500 personnels", a pr?cis? une source ? l'Elys?e, pr?cisant l'annonce faite vendredi (Le Monde dat? mardi 15 janvier). Ce sera la premi?re base militaire permanente fran?aise dans le Golfe.
L'accord sign? par le chef de la diplomatie ?miratie, Cheikh Abdallah Ben Zayed Al-Nahyane, et le ministre de la d?fense fran?ais, Herv? Morin, constitue un d?veloppement tr?s significatif, les Emirats ?tant notoirement vigilants sur tout ce qui a trait ? leur ind?pendance.

TROISI?ME ACCORD DE COOP?RATION DANS LE NUCL?AIRE CIVIL

Lors de cette visite de moins d'une journ?e du chef de l'Etat fran?ais, les deux pays ont ?galement sign? un accord de coop?ration dans le nucl?aire civil, comme annonc? par l'Elys?e. C'est le troisi?me accord de ce type avec un pays arabe, apr?s ceux conclus en d?cembre 2007 avec l'Alg?rie et la Libye. Dans le cadre de cette coop?ration, le groupe nucl?aire Areva et l'?lectricien Suez ont annonc? lundi leur alliance avec le groupe p?trolier Total pour vendre deux r?acteurs nucl?aires EPR aux Emirats.
M. Sarkozy avait confirm? lundi dans un discours ? Riyad son offre de faire profiter les pays arabes et musulmans de l'expertise fran?aise en mati?re nucl?aire.

Summary for non french-speakers:

-An agreement has been signed today (tuesday 15th january) between France and Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), for a permanent French naval base in this country ( around 400-500 persons)...

-Another agreement of cooperation in civilian nuclear technology has also been signed, it is spoken of selling 2 EPR reactors. It's the third agreement of this kind, after Algeria an Libya...
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Miyoshi plant (mazda) history

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New Netherlands JSS

Dutch Plan for Their Largest Naval Ship Ever
Posted by Joris Janssen Lok at 1/15/2008 6:16 AM

The backbone of a modern, 21st-century navy isn't its surface combatants or submarines. It is the large amphibious and/or logistic support ships it can deploy to trouble spots around the world, carrying helicopters, hospital facilities, an embarked landing force, supplies, fuel and a suite of C4I facilities. The Netherlands is planning to build its largest ship ever to be able to do just that.

The new ship is designated the Joint Support Ship (JSS) and will have a displacement of 26,000 tons -- making it a tight fit to squeeze into Den Helder Naval Base.

Concept design of new Joint Support Ship for the Royal Netherlands Navy -- at 26,000 tons the largest naval ship ever built for the RNLN. Image: RNLN
The JSS is to be ready by 2014 and design of the ship (by the Defense Materiel Organization DMO in close conjunction with TNO Defence & Security, Schelde Naval Shipbuilding, Imtech, Thales, and other industry partners) is starting for real now that the program to build four new Patrol Ships has moved into the production phase.

The plan to build a JSS was first published in the 2005 Naval Study. The ship is to replace the fleet replenishment oiler HrMs Zuiderkruis. The JSS will have a large flight deck capable of supporting Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters.

It will also be able to replenish other naval ships at sea, provide strategic sealift of strategic military equipment, and act as a seabase during crisis response operations worldwide.

The JSS will join two Landing Platform Dock (LPD)-type ships that entered service with the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) in 1998 and 2007, respectively (see the Jan/Feb issue of Defense Technology International (DTI) for more detail about these).

Like these LPDs, the JSS will be based on Schelde's Enforcer family of large support ship designs (this was also used as the design for Britain's four new Bay-class amphibious support ships).

Although senior sources in the RNLN so far have not been willing to confirm this, a logical step would be to try and get approval for a second JSS to replace the other fleet replenishment oiler in the Dutch fleet, HrMs Amsterdam, toward the end of the coming decade.

After all, one JSS equals no JSS if the ship happens to be in dock for a major refit at the time a sudden crisis erupts.

With a ship like the JSS, the Netherlands will be able to sea-base a significant aviation, logistic, C4I, disaster relief and humanitarian aid capability right offshore a crisis area struck by a natural or man-made disaster, a civil war or other major disruption.

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Better by design? Navies focus on adaptable vessel concepts

There are many advanced new hullforms on trials around the world, but no formal navy programme better illustrates how diverse design approaches can achieve similar goals than the US Navy's (USN's) Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).

One of the winning LCS designs uses a traditional-looking yet innovative high-speed semi-planing monohull offered by a team led by Lockheed Martin; the other features a slender, stabilised trimaran created by a team led by General Dynamics.

Less well known than LCS - but technically more advanced - are a number of technology demonstrators based on yet more sophisticated hullforms, the key focus of which is on vessels that are capable of transforming themselves for different roles while in operation.

The first of these is the United States' Transformable Craft, or 'T-Craft' - also known as the 'Seabase Connector' - for which industry consortia led by Umoe Man�dal of Norway and Alion Science and Technology of the US were downselected for Phase 2 of the project by the US Office of Naval Research (ONR) at the end of November 2007.

The ONR's T-Craft requirement envisages a "fuel-efficient vessel capable of self-deployment and high-speed transit." In keeping with USN and US Marine Corps seabasing strategy, it would be capable of servicing a large 'parent' ship stationed 100-200 miles (161 km) offshore, delivering troops, supplies and vehicles.

Fully amphibious, the T-Craft would be beachable. It would deploy in an unloaded state and be capable of travelling up to 2,500 n miles to a seabase, where it would demonstrate excellent seakeeping abilities.

The vessel would then serve as a high-speed connector, attaining a speed of 40 kt in Sea State 4 to convey troops as well as wheeled and tracked vehicles to beachheads. It would have a payload capacity of four to 10 M1A1 main battle tanks, or their equivalent, and be capable of carrying up to 750 tons.

The T-Craft is intended to have three modes of operation: a fuel-efficient or seakeeping mode for long-distance open-ocean transits; a high-speed or shallow-water mode for rapid seabased military vehicle transfer operations; and an amphibious mode for traversing sandbars and mudflats to achieve final delivery of the payload.

Since there are no existing high-speed vessels that can meet the T-Craft requirement - or even parts of it - designing and building a hullform to satisfy the ONR's brief will be no easy task.

Four Phase 1 contracts for the T-Craft programme were previously awarded to Alion, Umoe Mandal, and US-based Textron and Navatek. Under the first phase of the project, the four companies developed preliminary design concepts for inclusion in the T-Craft amphibious connector prototype.

In Phase 2, the contractors downselected by the ONR will develop detailed designs that can be model-tested against one another to validate performance.

The winner will progress to Phase 3 and build and test a T-Craft prototype.

http://www.janes.com/news/defence/idr/idr080116_1_n.shtml

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Dutch Plan for Their Largest Naval Ship Ever
Posted by Joris Janssen Lok at 1/15/2008 6:16 AM

http://sitelife.aviationweek.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/1/8/91ac255c-ddd4-4f68-b81b-7ba712ba1adb.Large.jpg

1Saludo

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http://sitelife.aviationweek.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/1/8/91ac255c-ddd4-4f68-b81b-7ba712ba1adb.Large.jpg

1Saludo


i thought they might be looking at a through deck design

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modernization of the Brazilian Navy’s Tupi Class Submarine

Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors, Manassas, Va., is being awarded a $35,291,854 firm-fixed-price contract for adaptation, testing, and logistics efforts for the modernization of the Brazilian Navy’s Tupi Class Submarine Integrated Combat Systems (ICS) under the Foreign Military Sales Program.

Lockheed Martin shall adapt, procure, integrate, test, and conduct factory acceptance of the ICS modernization effort for the Brazilian Navy’s Tupi Class Submarines, including sonar systems and flank arrays.

Work will be performed in Manassas, Va. (60 percent); Syracuse, N.Y. (19 percent); Salt Lake City, Utah (15 percent); Oldsmar, Fla. (4 percent); and Baltimore, Md. (2 percent), and work is expected to be completed by Jun. 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/client/modele.pl?session=dae.23623809.1163417339.RVhW@8Oa9dUAAE@uA0Y&modele=jdc_34

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Navy helicopter crash kills 3 in Texas

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - A Navy helicopter's crash during a training mission killed three crew members and injured a fourth, a Navy spokesman said Thursday.

The injured crew member was taken to Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi-Memorial, where he was listed in critical condition, said Ed Mickley, a spokesman for the Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command.

The Navy MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopter was part of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 out of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Mickley said. It went down Wednesday night in a farmer's field about 4 miles south of Corpus Christi, he said.

J.D. Batten, who lives about two miles from the crash site, told the Corpus Christi Caller-Times he was walking near his property's front gate when he heard a helicopter overhead.

"Suddenly I saw a red-glowing fireball shoot hundreds of feet up into the air," he said. "I heard a giant boom a second later. It was then dead silent and I couldn't hear the helicopter anymore."

Lt. Sean Robertson, a spokesman for NAS Corpus Christi, told the Caller-Times the crash happened during heavy fog. The newspaper said downed power lines hindered the efforts of the first rescuers.

The crash caused a fire, but firefighters extinguished the flames.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080117/ap_on_re_us/helicopter_crash