The Navy officially accepted delivery of the amphibious assault ship Makin Island (LHD 8) on April 16 from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (NGSB) in Pascagoula, Miss.
"Our partners at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding have worked hard to deliver this ship," said Capt. Jeff Riedel, amphibious ships program manager within
the Navy's Program Executive Office, Ships. "Makin Island's state-of-the-art gas turbines and Auxiliary Propulsion System will benefit the Navy for years to come."
Makin Island will be the eighth Wasp-class amphibious assault ship. Second only to aircraft carriers in size, LHDs are the largest amphibious warships
in the world.
Makin Island is distinguished from its predecessors in the class by its fuel-efficient hybrid electric drive.
This powerful class is 844 feet long, can reach speeds of more than 20 knots, and has a displacement of more than 41,000 tons. Wasp-class amphibious assault ships are specifically designed to remain off shore near troubled areas of the world, ready to send forces ashore quickly by helicopters, tilt rotor aircraft and Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft.
"With concerns over shrinking budgets, we're delivering APS at the perfect time," said Riedel. "Our estimates show that APS will save the Navy more than $21 million in fuel costs over the ship's lifecycle."
This unique auxiliary propulsion system (APS) is designed with fuel efficiency in mind. Instead of using main propulsion engines to power the ship's shaft, the APS uses two induction-type auxiliary propulsion motors
powered from the ship's electrical grid. The ship will be able to use its APS approximately 75% of the time, replacing the less-efficient gas turbines.
Other significant changes from previous LHD-class ships include watermist fire suppression systems, a fiber-optic Machinery Control System -- which is also integrated with the damage control systems -- the SPQ-9B radar and Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC).
As the centerpiece of a Navy expeditionary strike group, LHDs are fully capable of conducting and supporting amphibious assaults, advance force and
special purpose operations, non-combatant evacuation, and other humanitarian missions. LHDs, along with the other ships of an Amphibious Ready Group, embark, transport, deploy, command and fully support a Marine Expeditionary Unit of 2,000 Marines with their gear.
Prior to delivery, the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) completed Acceptance Trials aboard Makin Island on March 19 after spending three days at sea. INSURV found the ship to be "capable, well-built and inspection-ready" and recommended that the chief of Naval Operations authorize delivery of the ship. All major systems and equipment were tested by INSURV.
The commissioning ceremony for Makin Island will be held in October in the ship's future homeport of San Diego.
The Navy's Program Executive Office, Ships is responsible for the development and acquisition of U.S. Navy surface ships, and is currently managing the design and construction of 11 major ship classes and a wide range of small boats and craft. These platforms range from major warships such as frontline surface combatants and amphibious assault ships to air-cushioned landing craft, oceanographic research ships and special warfare craft. Since its creation in November 2002, PEO Ships has delivered 28 major warships and hundreds of small boats and craft from more than 20 shipyards and boat builders across the United States.
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Friday, April 17, 2009
Navy Commissions Guided Missile Destroyer Stockdale Saturday
The Navy will commission the newest Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, Stockdale, during an 11:00 a.m. PST ceremony on Saturday, April 18, 2009, in Port Hueneme, Calif.
Designated DDG 106, the new destroyer honors Medal of Honor recipient Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale (1923-2005), the legendary leader of American prisoners of war (POWs) during the Vietnam War.
Stockdale was the highest-ranking naval officer ever held as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. His plane was shot down Sept. 9, 1965, while flying combat missions over North Vietnam. Stockdale spent more than seven years in captivity at prisons in North Vietnam, including time at the infamous "Hanoi Hilton." Four of those years were spent in solitary confinement. While imprisoned, Stockdale is credited with organizing a set of rules to govern the behavior of fellow prisoners of war and for helping to develop a code for prisoners to communicate with each other that included tapping on cell walls. In recognition of his leadership and sacrifice he was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1976.
Stockdale received 26 combat medals and awards, including two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Distinguished Service Medals, two Purple Hearts and four Silver Stars. He was also named to the Aircraft Carrier Hall of Fame, National Aviation Hall of Fame, and was an honorary member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, Adm. Timothy Keating, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Sybil Stockdale will serve as sponsor of the ship named for her late husband. The ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when she gives the first order to "man our ship and bring her to life!"
Stockdale is the 56th of 62 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. The ship will be able to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. Stockdale will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and contains a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime warfare in keeping with "A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower," the new maritime strategy that postures the sea services to apply maritime power to protect U.S. vital interests in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world.
Cmdr. Fred W. Kacher, of Oakton, Va., will become the first commanding officer of the ship and will lead the crew of 276 officers and enlisted personnel. The 9,200-ton Stockdale was built by Bath Iron Works, a General Dynamics Company. The ship is 509 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 59 feet, and a navigational draft of 31 feet. Four gas turbine engines will power the ship to speeds in excess of 30 knots.
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Designated DDG 106, the new destroyer honors Medal of Honor recipient Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale (1923-2005), the legendary leader of American prisoners of war (POWs) during the Vietnam War.
Stockdale was the highest-ranking naval officer ever held as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. His plane was shot down Sept. 9, 1965, while flying combat missions over North Vietnam. Stockdale spent more than seven years in captivity at prisons in North Vietnam, including time at the infamous "Hanoi Hilton." Four of those years were spent in solitary confinement. While imprisoned, Stockdale is credited with organizing a set of rules to govern the behavior of fellow prisoners of war and for helping to develop a code for prisoners to communicate with each other that included tapping on cell walls. In recognition of his leadership and sacrifice he was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1976.
Stockdale received 26 combat medals and awards, including two Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Distinguished Service Medals, two Purple Hearts and four Silver Stars. He was also named to the Aircraft Carrier Hall of Fame, National Aviation Hall of Fame, and was an honorary member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots.
Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, Adm. Timothy Keating, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Sybil Stockdale will serve as sponsor of the ship named for her late husband. The ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when she gives the first order to "man our ship and bring her to life!"
Stockdale is the 56th of 62 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers. The ship will be able to conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. Stockdale will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and contains a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime warfare in keeping with "A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower," the new maritime strategy that postures the sea services to apply maritime power to protect U.S. vital interests in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain world.
Cmdr. Fred W. Kacher, of Oakton, Va., will become the first commanding officer of the ship and will lead the crew of 276 officers and enlisted personnel. The 9,200-ton Stockdale was built by Bath Iron Works, a General Dynamics Company. The ship is 509 feet in length, has a waterline beam of 59 feet, and a navigational draft of 31 feet. Four gas turbine engines will power the ship to speeds in excess of 30 knots.
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Gates Plans US Army Vehicle Revamp
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates plans to seek full funding for the army's flagship modernisation programme after scrapping an $87bn ground vehicle segment to make greater use of lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan.
In good news for co-programme managers Boeing and SAIC, Gates said the Pentagon's fiscal 2010 budget request would seek 'substantial money' to develop a revamped vehicle plan for future combat systems, the $159bn modernisation effort.
"My hope is that we can be ready to move forward in FY 11" with ground vehicles that better reflect urban warfare and other modern challenges, he told an audience at the Army War College.
Source: Army Technology
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In good news for co-programme managers Boeing and SAIC, Gates said the Pentagon's fiscal 2010 budget request would seek 'substantial money' to develop a revamped vehicle plan for future combat systems, the $159bn modernisation effort.
"My hope is that we can be ready to move forward in FY 11" with ground vehicles that better reflect urban warfare and other modern challenges, he told an audience at the Army War College.
Source: Army Technology
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FCS Common Controller Ready to Begin Testing
Boeing has announced that the common controller soldiers will use to integrate the systems developed under the US Army's future combat systems (FCS) modernisation programme has successfully completed its preliminary design review.
The evaluation completed by Boeing along with Science Applications International and the lead systems integrator (LSI) for the FCS programme allows for the common controller to begin testing with the army later this year.
Source: Army Technology
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The evaluation completed by Boeing along with Science Applications International and the lead systems integrator (LSI) for the FCS programme allows for the common controller to begin testing with the army later this year.
Source: Army Technology
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USAF Wants 50% of Fuel from Alternative Sources
the Air Force remains committed to pursuing its alternative fuel-certification program and is expanding its research efforts in the arena of alternative energy, Kevin Billings, USAF's acting point man for these efforts, told an industry conference in Alexandria, Va., Thursday.
"Actually, nothing's changed" under the new direction of Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, said Billings. These alternative and renewable energy initiatives remain "a huge priority" for the Air Force, he is quoted by the AFA's Daily Report.
The service remains "ahead of schedule and under budget" in its efforts to certify its entire fleet of aircraft by Fiscal 2011 to run on a synthetic fuel blend derived in part from natural gas—and eventually coal—under the Fischer-Tropsch process. By 2016, it plans to competitively purchase 50 percent of its domestic aviation fuel—about 400 million gallons—from alternative stocks. Air Force scientists are also expanding bio fuel initiatives, Billings said. Last year, the service created a roadmap and the Air Force Research Laboratory is now selecting specific fuels to test.
Source: AFA
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"Actually, nothing's changed" under the new direction of Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, said Billings. These alternative and renewable energy initiatives remain "a huge priority" for the Air Force, he is quoted by the AFA's Daily Report.
The service remains "ahead of schedule and under budget" in its efforts to certify its entire fleet of aircraft by Fiscal 2011 to run on a synthetic fuel blend derived in part from natural gas—and eventually coal—under the Fischer-Tropsch process. By 2016, it plans to competitively purchase 50 percent of its domestic aviation fuel—about 400 million gallons—from alternative stocks. Air Force scientists are also expanding bio fuel initiatives, Billings said. Last year, the service created a roadmap and the Air Force Research Laboratory is now selecting specific fuels to test.
Source: AFA
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Generals Shocked, Dismayed Over F-22 Cut-Off
Top Air Force generals met earlier this week to discuss the decision to end production of the F-22 at 187 aircraft, and their reaction was strong.
Appraisals of the response range from "surprise and concern" to "shock and dismay," senior service officials and those familiar with the discussion told the Air Force Association's Daily Report.
One senior service official told the Daily Report that the leadership will "work through" the situation and see if something can be done "to address the F-22 in the quadrennial defense review." However, by then it will likely be too late as the suppliers of F-22 long-lead-time parts and materials will have stopped work, and the cost to reconstitute those parts of the production line might be too tough for even the most ardent F-22 supporters in Congress to support.
Source: AFA
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Appraisals of the response range from "surprise and concern" to "shock and dismay," senior service officials and those familiar with the discussion told the Air Force Association's Daily Report.
One senior service official told the Daily Report that the leadership will "work through" the situation and see if something can be done "to address the F-22 in the quadrennial defense review." However, by then it will likely be too late as the suppliers of F-22 long-lead-time parts and materials will have stopped work, and the cost to reconstitute those parts of the production line might be too tough for even the most ardent F-22 supporters in Congress to support.
Source: AFA
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Gates Calls F-22 a "Niche" Weapon System
Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday called the F-22 "in effect, a niche, silver-bullet solution required for a limited number of scenarios," writes the Air Force Association's Daily Report.
Speaking to an audience at Air University on the grounds of Maxwell AFB, Ala., Gates acknowledged that "the F-22 has unique capabilities" to penetrate and defeat enemy air defenses and advanced fighters, but he still maintains that a fleet of 187 F-22s, when factored with plentiful F-35s and unmanned strike aircraft like the MQ-9 Reaper, are sufficient to meet projected threats and demonstrate "a serious commitment to maintaining US air supremacy."
The Air Force Association counters with a great question: Since when is a capability to provide air superiority—or wrestle it from an adversary in contested airspace—regarded as a niche capability? We consider air superiority the underpinning of successful US combat operations. Why would one risk forfeiting that asymmetric advantage to a potential adversary? (Full transcript of Gates' comments)
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Speaking to an audience at Air University on the grounds of Maxwell AFB, Ala., Gates acknowledged that "the F-22 has unique capabilities" to penetrate and defeat enemy air defenses and advanced fighters, but he still maintains that a fleet of 187 F-22s, when factored with plentiful F-35s and unmanned strike aircraft like the MQ-9 Reaper, are sufficient to meet projected threats and demonstrate "a serious commitment to maintaining US air supremacy."
The Air Force Association counters with a great question: Since when is a capability to provide air superiority—or wrestle it from an adversary in contested airspace—regarded as a niche capability? We consider air superiority the underpinning of successful US combat operations. Why would one risk forfeiting that asymmetric advantage to a potential adversary? (Full transcript of Gates' comments)
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