Jun 26, 2013 ASDNews Source : BAE Systems PLC

The first warship built by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) as part of Project Khareef for the design, build and delivery of three corvettes, has been formally handed over in a ceremony at HM Naval Base Portsmouth today.

Employees and guests, including senior representatives from the Royal Navy of Oman and UK Royal Navy, gathered in front of the ship as the crew marched on board to raise the national flag of Oman on her flight deck for the first time.

Mick Ord, Managing Director of BAE Systems Maritime – Naval Ships, said: “Today is an important milestone in the strong and growing relationship between BAE Systems and Oman, as we hand over the first of the Khareef class warships.

“It’s an immensely proud moment for everyone at BAE Systems involved in the design, build, trial and delivery of Al Shamikh to see her crew march onboard and take ownership of the vessel. We now look forward to continuing our partnership with the Royal Navy of Oman, supporting the new crew and working towards the completion of the next two ships.”

The Khareef Class corvettes are equipped to defend against both surface and air threats with stealth features to operate undetected, an innovative hull design and electric propulsion to provide exceptional manoeuvrability. The ship is capable of undertaking a range of operations including coastal patrols, disaster relief, search and rescue, and deterrence operations.

Today’s ceremony marked the Interim Acceptance of Al Shamikh during which the ship is transferred to the Royal Navy of Oman. The Interim Acceptance of Al Rahmani, the second Khareef Class corvette, is scheduled to be handed over later in the year, while the final ship, Al Rasikh, is scheduled for handover in 2014.

The 85-strong crew of Al Shamikh, now based in the UK, will undergo the UK Royal Navy's Flag Officer Sea Training programme for five weeks before the ship embarks on her voyage of more than 3,000 miles to Oman.

The final acceptance of the ship is scheduled for 2014 after final hot weather trials are completed in Oman where the ship will demonstrate her ability to perform in temperatures in excess of 45 degrees.

SAINT-PETERSBOURG, 26 juin - RIA Novosti

L'Usine de la Baltique de Saint-Pétersbourg a mis à l'eau mercredi la poupe du premier porte-hélicoptères de classe Mistral destiné à la Marine russe, a annoncé Alexandre Voznessenski, directeur général des chantiers navals.  

"Aujourd'hui, nous avons mis à l'eau la poupe du premier BPC, le deuxième Mistral sera mis en cale le 4 juillet 2015, en juin de la même année il sera remis au client", a fait savoir M.Voznessenski.  

Yves Destefanis, directeur du programme BPC russes chez DCNS, a de son côté indiqué que le remorquage de la poupe en France débuterait le 8 juillet et s'achèverait le 25 juillet.  

Toujours d'après M.Destefanis, une fois terminé, le BPC sera mis à l'eau le 15 octobre 2013 en France, conformément au calendrier prévu.  

La cérémonie de mise en cale sèche du premier des deux Mistral commandés par la Russie s'est tenue aux chantiers navals de Saint-Nazaire, en France, le 1er février dernier. La Russie assurera 20% des travaux de construction de son premier BPC et 40% des travaux pour le second Mistral. Un responsable du Groupe unifié de construction navale russe (OSK) a annoncé en février que la Russie avait déjà produit les 30 premiers petits blocs de la poupe du BPC, qui seront envoyés en France. 

D'une longueur maximale de 210 mètres, d'un déplacement de 22.000 tonnes et d'une vitesse supérieure à 18 nœuds, le BPC Mistral est capable de porter 16 hélicoptères, quatre vedettes de débarquement ou deux navires sur coussin d'air de faible tonnage. Son pont d'envol permet la mise en œuvre simultanée de 6 hélicoptères. Sa distance franchissable est de 20.000 milles nautiques. Le navire peut embarquer, outre ses 160 hommes d'équipage, un commando de 450 hommes.

June 14, 2013 defense-aerospace.com

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued June 14, 2013)

Collins Class Submarines Update

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Mike Kelly today announced further significant initiatives to both maintain the capability of Australia’s Collins Class submarine fleet and further improve Collins Class maintenance, sustainment and availability.

The Collins Class submarine fleet of six submarines is an essential part of Australia’s national security capability.

The first Collins Class submarine, HMAS Collins, was commissioned in July 1996. The sixth and last of the Collins Class, HMAS Rankin, was commissioned in March 2003. The Collins Class was designed with a theoretical platform life of 28 years, which provides for an on paper indicative service life for the fleet of 2024 to 2031.

A Service Life Evaluation Program was undertaken by Defence in 2012 to identify any issues that would prevent the Collins Class from achieving their indicative service life. The study also considered the possibility of a service life extension for the Collins fleet.

The study found there is no single technical issue that would fundamentally prevent the Collins Class submarines from achieving their indicative service life or a service life extension of one operating cycle for the fleet, which is currently around seven years, excluding docking periods. Based on the commissioning dates of the submarines, this provides an indicative service life of the fleet of 2031 to 2038.

Combined Pass approval for Collins Obsolescence Management

In this context, Ministers Smith and Kelly today announced that the Government has provided Combined Pass approval for the first stage of SEA 1439 Phase 3.1 Collins Obsolescence Management to resolve obsolescence in the Integrated Ship Control Management and Monitoring System in the Collins Class submarine fleet.

The Integrated Ship Control Management and Monitoring System was designed in the 1980s to control, manage and monitor essential Collins Class submarine functions such as manoeuvring, power and life-support.

It is a highly automated computerised system which enables the crew of the Collins Class to control, monitor and manage the large number of diverse and complex systems on board the submarines.

The Integrated Ship Control Management and Monitoring System has performed effectively and reliably since the Collins class entered service in the 1990s. However, it is essential to ensure the system can be maintained for the remaining indicative extended service life of the Collins Class fleet.

The Government has approved ASC Pty Ltd to work with Saab Systems in the first instance to engineer replacements for obsolescent system components and update and test the system in on-shore test facilities and subsequently one Collins Class submarine.

This first stage work is valued at around $65 million and will be conducted at ASC Pty Ltd in Adelaide in South Australia.

The Government has also given approval for Defence to plan for the second stage of the project to update the system in the remaining five Collins Class submarines once installation and testing in the first submarine has been completed. Government consideration of the second stage is scheduled for 2017.

Major reform to the maintenance of Collins Class Submarines: Implementation of Coles Review Full Cycle Docking Period to Two Years

Ministers Smith and Kelly today also announced a major reform in the maintenance of the Collins Class submarine fleet, to improve submarine availability across the fleet of six submarines by reducing the planned full cycle docking period for each submarine from three years to two years.

This reform is part of the extensive transformation program being implemented in the Collins Class submarine fleet maintenance and sustainment following the Study into the Business of Sustaining Australia’s Strategic Collins Class Submarine Capability, led by Mr John Coles (the Coles Review).

Implementation of the Coles Review recommendations will improve Collins Class availability through a variety of mechanisms including the delivery of more efficient logistic support arrangements, implementation of performance based maintenance contracts with defence industry, and development of a revised approach to the programming of planned maintenance and usage.

A key recommendation of the Coles Review was that a reduction in the duration of planned maintenance for the Collins class would make the largest single contribution to a higher level of submarine availability.

Under the current Collins maintenance cycle, each submarine operates in-service for eight years (including intermediate dockings) followed by a planned three year full cycle docking. The in-service period is punctuated by shorter intermediate duration dockings and maintenance periods alongside.

This means that two submarines are in full cycle docking at any one time, with, in general terms, one and sometimes two in shorter dockings and maintenance. This means Defence can currently plan on having two and sometimes three submarines available to the Fleet Commander for tasking at any one time.

The Coles Review proposed transition to a ‘single stream full cycle docking’ involving 10 years of in-service operation followed by a two year full cycle docking.

While the new in-service 10-year period will include longer intermediate docking periods to account for the reduction in full cycle docking duration, the result would be a consistently higher level of availability overall, extending the duration of operational periods.

Over the long term, the ‘single stream full cycle docking’ means that Defence can plan on having three and sometimes four submarines available to the Fleet Commander for tasking at any one time from 2016-17.

ASC has proposed an immediate transition beginning with HMAS Farncomb in mid-2014. ASC has assessed that the immediate transition proposal lowers the risks associated with the progressive transition suggested by the Coles Review, particularly risks related to funding requirements, the time required to re-allocate labour, workscope adjustments, and managing the overall program to deliver availability. The Government has agreed to ASC’s recommendation.

Under the immediate transition, HMAS Collins, which is currently undergoing pre-full cycle docking preparation in Adelaide, will remain in Adelaide until completing full cycle docking in mid-2018. During this period, all pre-full cycle docking preparation on HMAS Collins, including remediation of a class-wide main motor defect, will be completed. HMAS Collins will commence her two-year full cycle docking in 2016.

Defence will closely monitor ASC’s implementation of the new full cycle docking maintenance regime and provide regular reports to Government through the Minister for Defence and Minister for Finance.

14.06.2013 Defense Studies

AWD Alliance CEO Rod Equid said the animation will increase understanding of the exceptional capabilities available in the Hobart Class and provide an insight into how the ships can be used in-service.

“The destroyers will provide the Royal Australian Navy with the most capable warships they have ever operated, with a sophisticated range of both offensive and defensive weapons,” Mr Equid said. 

“They will be able to assume a leading Command and Control role with Australian and Coalition forces.”

“The animation will be shown to defence personnel and is also expected to be used for recruiting purposes to help attract people interested in joining the forces and serving on the ships in the future.”

Each AWD will be crewed by 180 men and women from the Royal Australian Navy, with initial training scheduled to start in early 2014.

The AWD Project is progressing well with the first destroyer, Hobart, now almost 50 per cent consolidated at Techport in Adelaide.  Since September last year, 15 of 31 blocks have been joined or are in the process of being joined to form the rapidly growing structure. 

It is expected that the consolidation of the entire hull will be complete early in 2014 with the launch planned for the second half of 2014.

The AWD project is the most complex naval ship construction program ever undertaken in Australia and is currently Australia’s largest defence procurement project.  It is building Australia’s industry capability and skills in the naval shipbuilding sector for future naval shipbuilding projects.

The Alliance is made up of the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) representing the Australian Government, ASC as the lead shipbuilder and Raytheon Australia as the mission systems integrator.

(AWD Alliance)

Atlas Elektronik Sea Hake heavyweight torpedo

June 10, 2013 By SP's Special Correspondent

The Indian Navy is in the market for new heavyweight torpedoes with "state-of-the-art technology, of calibre 534.4mm and length not exceeding 7,800mm, to be fired from existing torpedo tubes of ships". The Navy has been looking to acquire new torpedoes for years, and the current acquisition will be in line with that.

The Navy is already on the verge of signing a deal for 98 Finmeccanica WASS Blackshark heavyweight torpedoes for its Scorpene submarines, a deal that appears now to be delayed by the entire Finmeccanica controversy that's already taken a toll on the AgustaWestland VVIP copter contract progress. The Indian Navy needs the new heavyweight torpedoes for its P28 class of anti-submarine warfare corvettes, the first of which is to be delivered to the Navy by the end of this year. The DRDO's own heavyweight torpedo Varunastra is undergoing trials at this time and is likely to be ready for integration on platforms only by 2016.

12 June 2013 naval-technology.com

The Iranian Navy has re-launched its newly modernised ship, Bayandor, in the Southern port of Bandar Abbas, aimed at boosting the nation's ability to protect and maintain security in regional and international waters.

Fars News Agency cited Iranian Army commander major general Ataollah Salehi as a saying that the upgraded vessel would be deployed in the high seas and free waters to leverage the Iranian Navy's capabilities.

Upgrades to the vessel include optimising the monitoring control systems and overhauling the main engines, heat exchangers and fuel and oil systems.

Named to honour martyred commander Bayandor, the ship has been armed with 76mm and 40mm canons, a surface-to-surface Nour (Light) missile, Qader (Mighty) missile and long-range Qadr (Magnitude) missile systems as part of its modernisation programme.

The ultra-advanced and self-relying systems, Nour and Qader anti-ship cruise missiles have been designed to provide improved radar, satellite, precision, range and navigation capabilities.

"The 40-mm cannon mounted on the destroyer is also among advanced artilleries in air defence," Salehi added.

Fitted with missile, torpedo, artillery, sonar and other information and communication systems, the vessel is expected to be deployed in the next few days or months off the Pacific, Southern Indian or Atlantic Oceans.

The Iranian Navy has deployed its first Mowdge-class vessel, Jamaran, in October 2011, while Jamaran 2 was launched in March 2013 and Jamran 3 is scheduled to be commissioned by the end of the current Iranian year.

The 14,000t Mowdge-class vessels are fitted with modern radars and electronic warfare capabilities, as well as a variety of anti-ship, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles.

12 juin 2013 Par Rédacteur en chef.PORTAIL DES SOUS-MARINS

07/06/2013 Marine Nationale

Après avoir réalisé les premiers essais dans le radier du bâtiment de projection et de commandement Mistral, les EDA-R n°1 et n°2 ont enradié dans le Dixmude le 6 juin 2013 en rade des Vignettes (83).

La manœuvre s’est déroulée en marche avant, la porte arrière de l’EDA-R n° 1 posée sur la cuve de l’EDA-R n° 2. Une fois les problèmes d'alimentation électrique des engins résolus, le transfert des véhicules d’un EDA-R à l’autre s’est fait en abaissant leur plateforme, et sans utiliser les groupes électriques pour la production d'énergie.

Cette nouvelle illustre les belles perspectives d’emploi opérationnel que la Marine nationale réserve à l’EDA-R. Ce nouvel engin a été admis au service actif en avril dernier.

Retrouvez un dossier complet sur les EDA-R

12.06.2013 militaryforces.asia

The Bangladesh Navy began a shopping spree in recent years and finally things are coming in to fruition even with economic constraints.

Two ex-PLAN frigates Type 053H2 (Jianghu-III) guided missile frigates, the Huangshi (535) and Wuhu (536) from the East Sea Fleet will join the Bangladesh Navy later this year after what observers call a “heavy refit”.

The frigates were both built by Hudong and commissioned in December 1986 and December 1987 respectively.

Before the refit they were armed with 8 X C-802A SSM, 2 x Type 79A dual-100 mm guns, 4 x Type 76 dual-37 mm AA guns, 2 x 5-tube Type 81 ASW rocket launchers (30 rounds), 4 x Type 64 DC projectors, 2 x DC racks, 2 x Mk. 36 RBOC 6-barrel decoy rocket launchers.

MilitaryForces.Asia sources stated that the vessels would possibly be refitted with updated electronics and weapons.

Bangladesh Navy has recently adopted the H/PJ26 76 mm dual-purpose naval gun in its major surface combatants.  The same model would be installed on the Huangshi and Wuhu considering their Type 79A dual-100 mm guns were removed along with antiquated air defence guns.

Their sistership Xiangtan joined the Bangladesh Navy in 1989 and still serves today renamed as BNS Osman (F 18). It was upgraded with 8 x C-802 SSM’s in recent years.

Highlighting Bangladesh Navy’s eagerness to acquire off the shelf solutions in recent times they acquired a US Coast Guard Hamilton class cutter, which is undergoing refit in California before setting off to Bangladesh for joining the fleet.

The Hamilton class cutter is to be converted to a guided missile frigate in Bangladesh by installation of 8 x C-802A SSM and a Chinese origin SAM system, possibly FL-3000N according to a bdmilitary.com analyst.

Earlier the Bangladesh Navy negotiated with Italy for two improved Sauro class diesel-electric submarines and a number of frigates but it failed due to the steep asking price by the Italian government. Similarly an earlier negotiation with Montenegro also ended negatively due to unreasonable price and poor condition of the warships.

Bangladesh Navy officers confirmed to MilitaryForces.Asia that the new warships purchased from China and United States were in ‘good condition’.

The addition of three new frigates will provide the growing navy with increased patrolling capabilities in the Bay of Bengal as well as ensure they can bring enough fire power to naval confrontations with neighbouring countries.

Jun. 11, 2013 - By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI  - Defense News

NEW DELHI — Questions raised by the Indian Finance Ministry have delayed the Navy’s quest to procure six additional submarines equipped with air independent propulsion for more than $12 billion.

While the MoD proposal has not been shelved, routine queries have been raised by the Finance Ministry, said MoD sources.

The MoD cleared the procurement more than two years ago but the formal request for proposal has to be floated. Under the initial proposal, cleared by the Defense Acquisition Council in 2010, three of the six submarines are to be constructed at Mazagon Docks in Mumbai while another will be built at Hindustan Shipyard in Visakhapatnam.

The other two were to be either imported from the foreign collaborator or built by a domestic private shipyard.

The Navy warned the MoD last year of its deteriorating submarine strength, especially at a time when the Chinese Navy is aggressively adding more warships and submarines, said an Indian Navy official.

India has only 14 submarines, down from 21 in the 1980s, and far below China’s sub fleet of about 60, including 10 nuclear submarines.

Only half of India’s 10 kilo-class Russian-made submarines are operational and the four aging HDW-class submarines need to be upgraded, added the official.

Meanwhile, the homemade Arihant nuclear submarine is currently on sea trials and two French Scorpene submarines are more than three years behind schedule.

12 juin 2013 Par Rédacteur en chef. PORTAIL DES SOUS-MARINS

Le ministre indonésien de la défense, Purnomo Yusgiantoro, a annoncé que son pays allait bientôt construire les infrastructures nécessaires à la construction de sous-marins.

Les infrastructures seront construites par l’entreprise publique de construction navale PT PAL à Surabaya, a expliqué Purnomo après une séance de la Commission de politique industrielle de défense.

Il a ajouté que les infrastructures seraient prêtes d’ici 2 à 3 ans.

L’Indonésie est le plus grand archipel au monde. Elle a donc besoin d’une marine puissante pour protéger ses milliers d’îles.

L’Indonésie s’est entendu avec la Corée du Sud pour construire les infrastructures pour la construction de sous-marins. La coopération comprend l’accord de licence, l’ingénierie, la fabrication et la construction d’un prototype.

La coopération s’est déjà mise en place pour la conception et, d’ici 2 ans, elle devrait s’étendre à la fabrication et au prototype.

L’Indonésie et la Corée du Sud ont aussi conclu un accord de transfert de technologie pour la construction des sous-marins.

Le premier sous-marin sera construit en Corée et terminé en 2014.

La construction du deuxième verra la participation de techniciens indonésiens et celle du 3è aura lieu en Indonésie.

Une base sous-marine sera construite sur la baie de Palu (Sulawesi) et devrait être mise en service d’ici la fin de l’année. Tous les sous-marins indonésiens seront basés dans la baie de Palu, y compris les nouveaux construits en Corée.

Référence : Antara News (Indonésie)

Jun 7, 2013 ASDNews Source : US Navy

USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3) successfully launched, June 5, from the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala.

The third joint high speed vessel is a versatile, non-combatant, transport ship that will be used for fast intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles and equipment.

"This launch is an important achievement for the program, as it's the first time the ship has entered the water," said JHSV program manager Capt. Henry Stevens. "Launching signifies a ship is ready to enter into the final phase of construction including test and activation of major equipment such as the propulsion plant."

Millinocket will now prepare for a series of trials conducted by the shipbuilder, testing overall system performance underway prior to demonstration to the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey later this year.

Each JHSV is designed to commercial standards, with limited modifications for military use. These vessels can transport 600 short tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots and can operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways, providing U.S. forces added mobility and flexibility. The ships also have an aviation flight deck to support day and night air vehicle launch and recovery operations. JHSVs have berthing space for up to 104 personnel and airline-style seating for up to 312.

JHSV 3 is one of two JHSVs currently under construction at Austal. The future USNS Fall River (JHSV 4) held a keel laying and authentication ceremony May 20, and JHSV 5 started fabrication in February. USNS Choctaw County delivered June 6. The lead ship of the class, USNS Spearhead, was delivered to the Navy in December 2012. A total of ten JHSV class ships are under contract with Austal.

Millinocket is designated as a U.S. Naval Ship (USNS), signifying its civilian crew. The vessel will have a core crew of 22 civilian mariners who will operate and navigate the ship as part of the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command.

As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, and special warfare craft. Delivering high-quality war fighting assets, while balancing affordability and capability, is key to supporting the Navy's Maritime Strategy.

Jun 7, 2013 ASDNews Source : US Navy

USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) conducted the first aircraft carrier-borne end-to-end at-sea test of the Surface Ship Torpedo Defense (SSTD) System, the Navy announced, June 6.

The SSTD System combines the passive detection capability of the Torpedo Warning System that not only finds torpedoes, but also classifies and tracks them, with the hard-kill capability of the Countermeasure Anti-Torpedo, an encapsulated miniature torpedo. The at-sea tests were conducted May 15-19.

The Countermeasure Anti-Torpedo is being developed by the Pennsylvania State University Applied Research Laboratory (PSU-ARL). It is designed to locate, home in on and destroy hostile torpedoes. Over the four-day testing period, Bush engaged seven torpedo-like targets with seven Countermeasure Anti-Torpedoes. Designed to validate the end-to-end of the system, the testing proved successful.

"These tests are a culmination of a very focused effort by the Navy including the program office, Bush's crew, Norfolk Naval Shipyard and our academic and industrial partners. With all seven of our shots doing what they are designed and built to do, it validates our work and significantly enhances our current capabilities," said Capt. Moises DelToro, the Undersea Defensive Warfare Systems program manager.

This first end-to-end test of the SSTD System achieved several firsts: the first Torpedo Warning System detection of targets from a carrier, the first automatic detection and automatic targeting of an incoming torpedo target from a ship, the first launch of Countermeasure Anti-Torpedo from a carrier and the first end to end Torpedo Warning System and Countermeasure Anti-Torpedo system detection-to-engage at-sea test.

"It is gratifying to have these tests go so well," said Rear Adm. David Johnson, program executive officer, Submarines, whose portfolio includes the Undersea Defensive Warfare Systems Program Office. "The engineering involved to detect a hostile torpedo, process its direction, speed, depth, and then engage it with a carrier-launched Countermeasure Anti-Torpedo is impressive. I am confident that the fleet will be pleased with the results."

Given the complexity of the system, the program office is taking an incremental approach to the development and acquisition of the Surface Ship Torpedo Defense System.

"What is currently aboard Bush is an engineering development model, or EDM, that is a fully-functioning system, but not the final configuration or production model," DelToro said. "We're learning from the Bush to improve the system so we can provide the most robust and cost-effective hard-kill anti-torpedo capability possible."

The Navy currently plans to equip all aircraft carriers and other high-value units with the Surface Ship Torpedo Defense system by 2035.