[JLRC]

CAE’s Marine Division Signs Contracts Worth $19 Million  
 
 
(Source: CAE Inc.; issued Aug. 2, 2004)
 
 
 MONTREAL --- CAE has signed new contracts to provide integrated bridge systems (IBSs) for the United Arab Emirates’ Baynunah-class corvettes, and a land-based test facility for the German navy’s F-124-class frigates.  
 
CAE has also signed a contract amendment for the Indian navy’s landing ship program and finalized the contract for the German navy’s K130 corvette program.  
 
In total, the new agreements and contract amendment are worth about C$19 million, with an option of C$4 million for two additional Baynunah corvette IBSs.  
 
The new contract with the German navy calls for CAE to provide an F-124 land-based test facility to support CAE’s integrated machinery control system (IMCS) already aboard the navy’s new F-124 class frigates.  
 
The F-124 IMCS is a comprehensive platform management system with advanced features, such as an on-board training system, battle damage control system, and an integrated controller for the gas turbine engine.  
 
CAE has concluded the contract with the ARGE K130 consortium (consisting of three shipyards: Blohm+Voss, Nordseewerke, and Friedrich Lürssen Werft) for the supply of IMCS with increased scope for five K130 corvettes, and a contract amendment for the control system for the Indian navy’s landing ships.  
 
For the UAE navy, CAE will provide NaviNet IBSs for four of the navy’s Baynunah-class multipurpose missile corvettes through prime contractor Abu Dhabi Ship Building. First delivery will be in approximately two years and the remaining systems will be delivered in a further two-year period. This represents the first sale of IBSs in the Middle East, further strengthening CAE’s position in the market.  
 
CAE’s NaviNet IBS integrates bridge and navigation functions and provides distributed access to navigation sensor information or command and control from multifunction workstations.  
 
Eighteen navies worldwide use CAE’s advanced automation technology aboard more than 140 warships.  
 
CAE is a leading provider of simulation technologies and integrated training services to airlines, aircraft manufacturers, defence forces, and marine customers worldwide. The company has annual revenues in excess of C$1 billion, with manufacturing operations and training facilities in 19 countries on five continents.  
 
-ends-

[Fábio G.]

México adquiere patrulleros israelíes
Hace unas fechas, hacía su entrada en el puerto de Cartagena, en tránsito desde su base de Veracruz hasta Haifa, en Israel, el patrullero «Huasteco» de la Armada de México y de lo que dimos cuenta en su momento por lo inusual que nos resultaba el que un buque de esa nacionalidad recalase en estas aguas.

26/07/2004 · Por Diego Quevedo Carmona

 
 (Diego Quevedo Carmona)
 
 
Pues si aquella escala la consideramos novedosa, creemos que lo es mucho más aún la que han hecho hoy lunes 26 de agosto, las flamantes unidades de esa misma nacionalidad «Huracán» y «Tormenta».

Esta pareja de buques, cuyas imágenes bajo bandera mexicana creemos constituyen una verdadera primicia, han sido adquiridos hace tan solo unas fechas y en estos momentos se encuentran haciendo el tránsito de Haifa a Veracruz, donde llegarán unas fechas antes del 20 de agosto, día en el que está previsto causen Alta Oficial en la Armada de México, en un acto que estará presidido por el propio Presidente de la República, Vicente Fox.

Cuando abandonen Cartagena, puerto al que han llegado tras seis días de mar desde Haifa, pondrán proa a las islas de Cabo Verde, para ya una vez allí dar el salto al continente americano.

El bautizado como A-301 «Huracán», era hasta hace unas fechas el israelita «Aliya», mientras que el ahora A-302 «Tormenta» ostentaba el nombre de «Geoula».

Ambos patrulleros, de 500 toneladas de desplazamiento unitario, fueron construidos en los astilleros Israelí Shipyard de Haifa a lo largo de 1980, año en el que ambos fueron botados y entregados a la Armada.

A pesar de sus proporciones no muy grandes, 61,7 metros de eslora, 7,6 de manga y 2,5 de puntal, son unos buques fuertemente armados, ya que disponen como armamento principal de misiles Harpoon, instalados en el castillo en lanzador cuádruple y un montaje del sistema antimisil Vulcan Phalanx en la misma proa, así como un par de ametralladoras Oerlikon de 20 milímetros y cuatro de 12,7 m/m.

Si al armamento citado le añadimos la posibilidad de llevar un helicóptero embarcado y unos buenos equipos de guerra electrónica, nos encontramos con que son unas excelentes plataformas navales, máxime si tenemos en cuenta su desplazamiento y dimensiones.

Por lo que a la propulsión respecta, cada uno va equipado con cuatro motores diesel MTU 16V, que con 15.000 caballos y cuatro hélices le hacen alcanzar velocidades cercanas a los 30 nudos. La autonomía está cifrada en unas 3.000 millas a la velocidad de crucero de 15 nudos.

El A-301 «Huracán», (ex-«Aliya») ha venido al mando del capitán de corbeta del cuerpo general Luis Othón Suárez González, mientras que el A-302 «Tormenta» (ex–«Geoula») lo ha hecho bajo el del mismo cuerpo y escala Julio Arturo Gorbea Barcelata.

Sin duda unos excelentes buques que se sumarán desde el 20 de agosto a la flotilla de buques auxiliares que la Armada de México tiene disponibles en el Golfo y Mar Caribe.

Diego Quevedo Carmona

[Spectral]

A encomenda alemã para 4 novas fragatas "F-125" aparentemente vai ser adiantada para 2006.

Especula-se que este possa ser MEKO-D, MEKO-X, um projecto "littoral combat ship" da B&V, ou ainda uma participação no projecto FREMM .

[Fábio G.]

Via FA

A Revista da Armada nº 378 na secção Ponto ao meio Dia traz um artigo do CALM EMQ F. David e Silva intitulado A Direcção de Navios e os Novos Desafios da Marinha que dá alguma informação útil e passo a transcrever:

"Há exactamente 10 anos atrás, no âmbito da revisão da Lei Orgânica da Marinha, foi definida uma nova arquitectura para a organização da logística do Material deste ramo das Forças Armadas. O factor inovador teve tanto de simples como de significativo, consistindo na integração num único elemento orgânico – a Direcção de Navios (DN) – das responsabilidades integrais pelo Navio, abrangendo também as Unidades Auxiliares de Marinha e os sistemas baseados em terra que possuam afinidades tecnológicas e de sustentação logística com os que operam a bordo.
A DN, então criada, herdou o património material e humano, bem como a não menos importante Cultura detida pelos organismos então extintos: a Direcção-Geral do Material Naval, as Direcções de Serviço de Construções e de Manutenção e o Gabinete de Estudos.
A partir de então cabe à DN ocupar-se da engenharia do Navio ao longo de todo o seu ciclo de vida e da globalidade das tecnologias envolvidas. Não o faz, naturalmente, de uma forma isolada. Com efeito, o modelo utilizado, que persiste há já umas largas dezenas de anos, assenta numa lógica de partilha triangular de tarefas logísticas: a DN ocupa-se da engenharia do Navio e de tudo quanto respeita ao seu primeiro armamento, a Direcção de Abastecimento trata do aprovisionamento de – entre outros bens – tudo quanto se relacione com o suporte de vida do Navio ou a sua manutenção, o Arsenal do Alfeite encarrega-se do projecto – quando necessário – e da manutenção dos meios navais flutuantes, bem como da sua construção nos casos que se ajustem às suas capacidades e às necessidades da Marinha. À DN, nesta especial relação entre três organismos distintos, cabe ainda desempenhar o papel de regulador funcional, contribuindo para o grande objectivo de assegurar que os navios que o país confia à Marinha estão em condições de cumprir as missões que lhes cabem, dentro de critérios aceitáveis de prontidão e custo-eficácia.
Para descrever o ciclo de vida de um Navio (ou mais genericamente de um qualquer bem de equipamento) é usual recorrer-se à metáfora dos organismos vivos: uns como outros passam pelas fases de concepção, de obtenção, construção, de manutenção e de abate. E uns como outros carecem de cuidados e de atenções permanentes, umas vezes de natureza preventiva, outras de natureza correctiva, capazes de repor as condições de funcionamento especificadas. Um Navio é uma estrutura concebida para permanecer e operar no mar durante períodos de tempo mais ou menos longos, mas de uma forma autónoma, independentemente de se encontrar próximo ou afastado das suas bases de apoio ou de simples portos comerciais. Desta singela condição decorre, desde logo, o envolvimento de uma multiplicidade de disciplinas da engenharia: estruturas, mecânica, electrotecnia, electrónica, materiais, aeronáutica, informática e até a engenharia do ambiente, são ciências sempre presentes. A Higiene e Segurança no Trabalho e a Ergonomia são igualmente preocupações da DN, desde cedo incorporadas nas soluções de projecto, como factores da indispensável atenção que se impõe, de modo crescente, prestar ao factor humano a bordo.
O mar é um ambiente hostil, que frequentemente exige às estruturas flu-tuantes esforços extremos. Em paralelo, é necessário atender à natureza agressiva tanto do meio líquido em si como da atmosfera marinha que rodeia o navio, tudo requerendo cuidados de concepção inicial e de manutenção continuada ao longo do ciclo de vida.
Mas um Navio da Marinha é também um activo militar, uma plataforma que transporta as armas e os sensores dedicados à identificação dos alvos e ao guiamento dos projécteis até eles. Determinada categoria de Navios, entre os quais se incluem as fragatas da classe Vasco da Gama, as futuras fragatas a transferir da Marinha dos EUA, os Navios Patrulhas Oceânicos (NPO) presentemente em fase de construção e o Navio Polivalente Logístico, ainda em projecto, constituem também plataformas para operação de helicópteros com capacidade nuns casos, sem ela noutros casos, de transportar e reabastecer o helicóptero com munições e combustível ou apenas de o receber temporariamente.
Os conceitos das operações militares navais estão em permanente evolução, suscitada pelo acelerado ritmo de mudança nas relações entre Estados, nações e grupos em conflito, envolvendo áreas geográficas vastas e dispersas e elementos tão incertos e fluidos como sejam as etnias, os recursos económicos ou as escalas sociais. Emerge, em consequência e entre outros factores, a questão da comunicação entre os agentes humanos e materiais de comando e controlo das plataformas navais, que tem que ser permanente e de banda larga, propiciando a troca em tempo real de voz, dados e imagem, entre plataformas navais, terrestres e aéreas. Esta é uma das áreas de projecto e operação dos navios de maior relevância nos tempos modernos, materializando o conceito de “net-work centric warfare”, em designação popularizada por um teorizador militar americano.
De tudo isto se ocupa a DN, procurando garantir a construção ou aquisição, e a futura sustentação (com o contributo dos dois outros organismos já referidos, com os quais opera na lógica da “logística triangular”) de sistemas de elevada capacidade e complexidade tecno-lógica.
A acção futura da DN terá que ser alinhada pela evolução da tipologia dos meios navais, bem como da doutrina e dos princípios da Logística, ambas determinadas pela mudança verificada nas operações navais, que se adivinha venha a prosseguir em ritmo acelerado.
Um dos novos paradigmas relativos à arquitectura dos navios está associado à incerteza quanto aos ambientes e cenários de utilização dos meios navais, bem como ao seu elevado custo de obtenção: ambos os factores acentuarão a tendência no sentido da sua polivalência, traduzida na acumulação de capacidades antes dispersas por unidades especializadas (v.g. MCM, ASW, AAW, ASUW, de apoio a operações de baixa intensidade). Existem já algumas soluções tecnológicas desta tendência que devem, todavia, ser ainda consideradas em evolução.
As restrições da engenharia do Navio, logística incluída, relacionadas com o factor humano serão – no futuro – ainda mais significativas. Em primeiro lugar, será necessário aproximar o Navio de um local de permanência e de trabalho confortável, por oposição às condições de vida espartanas proporcionadas por grande parte dos navios construídos na segunda metade do séc. XX. A redução das guarnições, resultante de soluções de maior intensidade tecnológica, irá por outro lado impor a revisão dos racionais do apoio logístico que contam com a contribuição significativa daqueles recursos humanos. No mesmo sentido influirá o facto de, na generalidade, os novos sistemas navais serem menos dependentes de manutenção (sobretudo da manutenção puramente preventiva) do que os actualmente disponíveis.
Mas, por outro lado, é essencial não igno-rar que os futuros sistemas exigirão o recurso a pessoal com educação, formação e treino de nível mais elevado bem como a equipamento de apoio e pessoal em terra em maior número e com maior sofisticação.
Um último factor a merecer referência neste âmbito, é o elevado valor patrimonial representado pelos novos navios, que irá determinar uma utilização operacional mais intensiva: o Navio do futuro será solicitado a operar frequentemente em teatros afastados da sua base de apoio fixa por períodos eventualmente prolongados, suscitando a teorização e a emergência de novas soluções logísticas, aliás já visíveis nos escritos dos think-tanks da especialidade.
A logística naval do futuro será, tal como as operações, conduzida com base na rede, em fluxos contínuos de processos de monitorização directa do comportamento dos sistemas, dedução quanto às necessidades de manutenção, identificação e movimentação dos sobressalentes necessários e, finalmente, acompanhamento das intervenções e da reposição das capacidades nominais de funcionamento.
Como noutros domínios, militares e civis, da actividade humana, o paradigma será o da e-Logística.
A Marinha atravessa um período de profunda renovação da Esquadra. Como resultado de sucessivos adiamentos das decisões indispensáveis à substituição de meios navais cujo núcleo data de finais da década de 60 e princípios de 70 do século passado, a Marinha viu-se forçada a prolongar a vida útil de algumas das suas classes de navios, com penalização dos custos e, em alguns casos, da própria qualidade das operações desenvolvidas, mantendo como condição essencial a segurança do pessoal.
Em 15 de Outubro de 2002, firmou-se entre o Estado e os Estaleiros Navais de Viana do Castelo o contrato de construção de dois Navios Patrulhas Oceânicos, primeiras unidades de um programa de 12 navios. Os NPO serão navios robustos, com 80 metros de comprimento, preparados para as missões de serviço público nas águas de responsabilidade e interesse económico nacional. O segundo par de unidades, cujo contrato foi já igualmente assinado, virá dar ao país capacidade de intervenção autónoma em incidentes ambientais no mar, bem como viabilizar a substituição do já antiquado navio-balizador existente. Em estudo, está a tipologia dos restantes NPO que deverão vir, na sua globalidade, a revestir características de pluri-funcionalidades instaladas sobre uma arquitectura de plataforma comum. O Navio Polivalente Logístico, cujo projecto terá início neste terceiro trimestre de 2004, será um meio naval exemplar da conformidade com os paradigmas modernos de múltiplas capacidades: estas irão da projecção de força militar com meios conjuntos dos três ramos, até à condução de operações de apoio à paz e de assistência a catástrofes humanitárias (valendo-se da referida capacidade de transporte e de uma infra-estrutura hospitalar permanente completa).
O programa dos novos submarinos está igualmente lançado. A DN continuará a proporcionar apoio técnico à equipa encarregada de conduzir o acompanhamento da construção e a futura integração destes navios na Marinha.
A substituição das fragatas da classe Comandante João Belo será iniciada através da transferência de navios da marinha americana, dotados de capacidades modernizadas, que assegurarão a transição até que seja possível completar o dispositivo nesta capacidade com navios construídos expressamente para o efeito.
Outros programas têm já a necessidade bem identificada (como é o caso do novo reabastecedor de Esquadra, dos patrulhas costeiros e do completamento da Esquadrilha de helicópteros), para assegurar a construção da Esquadra equilibrada de que Portugal carece. Todos estes programas, após a identificação da necessidade e a aprovação dos requisitos operacionais, são passados à DN para desenvolvimento das fases subsequentes.
Na DN, como no resto da Marinha, o factor humano tem um peso decisivo no desempenho e no produto final da Instituição. É pois indispensável prestar particular atenção à formação de quantos aqui prestam serviço. Para além da formação de carreira, comum a todos quantos escolheram a Marinha como forma de vida, assume especial importância a formação de natureza académica: mais de 40% são detentores de licenciatura e, em numerosos casos, de formação pós-graduada, obtida em Escolas nacionais ou estrangeiras.
A DN, enquanto organismo instrumental da primeira linha das tarefas de edificação da nova Esquadra da Marinha, participa no enorme desafio que este objectivo representa, e está consciente da parcela de responsabilidades que sobre ela recaem, na futura recepção de meios navais capazes de defender os interesses do país e de robustecer a sua voz na comunidade internacional.
Os homens e mulheres, militares e civis, que trabalham na Direcção de Navios, estão motivados, preparados e orgulhosos de lhes ser proporcionada a oportunidade de participarem activamente num dos mais vastos programas de renovação da Marinha Portuguesa que não encontra paralelo na sua história moderna. "

[Fábio G.]

DCN

Mistral BPC force projection & command vessel: Completion-of-work ceremony in Saint-Nazaire
Saint-Nazaire, 15 July 2004




On Thursday, 15 July 2004, a ceremony was held at the Saint-Nazaire shipyard to mark the completion of work on the forward section of the all-electric force projection & command vessel Mistral for the French Navy. The section, comprising the crew’s living quarters, the joint and allied forces’ command centre and the engine room, was built by Alstom Marine-Chantiers de l’Atlantique in cooperation with prime contractor DCN.
Mr Jean-Michel Labrande, head of DGA/SPN (the French defence procurement agency's naval directorate), the contracting principal for the BPC vessels, symbolically cut the ribbon across the gangplank in the presence of Captain Antoine, representing the Programmes Division of the French Navy Chief of Staff, Mr Bernard Lucas, representing the CEO and Chairman of DCN, and Mr Patrick Boissier, CEO and Chairman of Alstom Marine-Chantiers de l’Atlantique.

The Mistral, the first of two BPC vessels on order, has an overall length of 200 m for a displacement of 21,500 tons. The French procurement agency (DGA) awarded the contract for the design and construction of the two ships to prime contractor DCN, in cooperation with Alstom Marine-Chantiers de l’Atlantique, for a total cost of €560 million.

The aft sections, which are more military, are the responsibility of DCN’s Brest shipyard, whereas the forward sections, which are more like commercial ships, are Alstom Marine-Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s responsibility.
As a result of these contracting arrangements, the BPC programme benefits from the expertise of two leading shipbuilders.

The forward section just completed will be transferred directly to Brest for integration with the aft section between now and the end of the year. DCN will then install and integrate the combat system.

By assembling the forward and aft sections at the same time, the contractors have cut the construction time and reduced costs by some 30% compared with the previous generation of force projection vessels.

The Mistral and Tonnerre will enter service with the French Navy in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

[Fábio G.]

Navires opérationnels
BPC Mistral L-9013en 2005
BPC TonnerreL-9014 en 2006
Hélicoptères: Hangar pour 16 hélicoptères de type Cougar, NH90 ou Tigre
6 aires d'appontage (5 pour hélicoptères 16 tonnes, 1 pour 35 tonnes type CH53 ou V22)
Chalands: 4 CTM ou 2 LCAC
Equipage: 160 hommes
Troupes: 450 soldats, autonomie en vivres de 45 jours
Hôpital: 19 à 69 lits
Dimensions: 200 m x 32 m
Poids: 21500 tonnes

[JLRC]

Project Protector
 
 
(Source: New Zealand Ministry of Defence; issued Aug. 6, 2004)
 
 
 The Ministers of Defence and Finance announced on 30 July that the contract had been signed between the Government and ship builders Tenix Limited for the construction of seven new ships to be operated by the Navy.  
 
At a brief ceremony today held with Tenix, Ministers welcomed this next stage of the project. The Minister of Finance, Dr Michael Cullen, said the $NZ500 million project is part of the approved Long Term Development Plan for the New Zealand Defence Force.  
 
The Minister of Defence, Mark Burton is very pleased that the project is now under way.  
 
“It is planned that the Multi Role Vessel (MRV), two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) and four Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) will enter service over the next 3 years.  
 
“They will represent a significant increase in the Government’s capability to meet military and civilian responsibilities throughout New Zealand’s extensive EEZ, in the South Pacific and in the Southern Ocean.  
 
“They will fulfil a broad range of requirements including personnel and cargo sealift, emergency response, fisheries and customs patrols and at sea training for the Royal New Zealand Navy.”  
 
The Minister of Defence said a whole of government approach had been followed from the inception of the project and during the tender evaluation phase.  
 
“The ships will be operated by the Navy and used for military purposes as well as meeting the needs of a number of other Government agencies.  
 
Each ship will have designated facilities for staff from other agencies who will embark when required for different operations.  
 
The MRV will have accommodation for up to fifty Army and Air Force personnel as part of the ship’s company and further space for up to 250 soldiers together with their vehicles and stores to carry them on operational deployments.  
 
It will have the capability to carry an Infantry Company including its Light Armoured Vehicles and other equipment and will have the capacity to move New Zealand Defence Force equipment for operations like the recent Solomon Islands and East Timor deployments.  
 
The ship will also be fitted out to enable humanitarian and emergency responses involving multi-agency personnel and equipment, in the South Pacific.  
 
Both the MRV and the OPVs will be ice strengthened for operations in the Southern ocean and the Ross Sea and will also have the capability to embark Seasprite helicopters, which will enhance their ability to undertake maritime patrol tasks.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

Risk Reduction and Design Study Called For Amphibious Ship Options
 
 
(Source: Ausytralian Department of Defence; issued Aug. 9, 2004)
 
 
 French shipbuilding group Armaris and Spanish shipbuilding group IZAR will be asked to participate in a funded risk reduction and design study for the Navy's two new amphibious vessels, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced today.  
 
Senator Hill said the study was a further step towards the selection of a new amphibious ship design to replace HMAS Tobruk and one of the Landing Platform Amphibious Ships.  
 
The $2 billion project will equip the Australian Defence Force with two new amphibious ships capable of performing a range of tasks, including regional disaster relief, delivering humanitarian aid, support for peace operations, and assistance to policing or military operations.  
 
"Defence has conducted a preliminary design assessment in consultation with the Australian shipbuilding industry which confirmed the basic designs of Armaris and IZAR broadly meet the ADF's capability requirements for the new amphibious ships," Senator Hill said.  
 
"The study will assist Defence to further assess the suitability of the companies' amphibious ship designs for the ADF's capability requirements, including the capability, cost, schedule, technical risk and industry issues relating to the construction of amphibious ships in Australia."  
 
As part of the study, Armaris will be asked to provide detailed information relating to three variants of its Mistral design: the military off-the-shelf design which is currently in production; a modified design providing for increased troop capacity; and an option based on the original extended Mistral design.  
 
IZAR will be asked to provide detailed information relating to its Strategic Projection Ship design.  
 
The decision to conduct the risk reduction and design study is consistent with the Government's implementation of the Kinnaird Review's recommendation that increased planning and analysis be undertaken during the early stages of Defence projects.  
 
Senator Hill said Defence was expected to issue invitations to contract to Armaris and IZAR for the conduct of the study by the end of the month, with the companies to respond to Defence's request for information in December.  
 
It is anticipated that the outcomes of the study will inform the selection of a preferred designer for the amphibious ships in the first half of next year.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

Rolls-Royce MT30 Completes US Navy Milestone
 
 
(Source: Rolls-Royce plc; dated Aug. 5, web-posted Aug. 6, 2004)
 
 
 The Rolls-Royce MT30 has completed another major development milestone - required for operation by the US Navy. The 36MW marine gas turbine has completed endurance test running for American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) certification.  
 
It is already well positioned for two leading-edge US Navy programmes, having been selected for initial production versions of Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and the DD(X) multimission destroyer Engineering Demonstrator Model (EDM).  
 
Patrick J. Marolda, President – Rolls-Royce Naval Marine Inc, said: “This is an excellent achievement which confirms the MT30 can satisfy all US Navy requirements. It puts us in a great position to drive on and deliver for two key national defence programmes. We have translated leading-edge, proven, aero engine technology into a unique marine power system.”  
 
The MT30 is also included in the baseline design for the two proposed Royal Navy aircraft carriers and is being actively considered for the Franco-Italian FREMM frigate programme.  
 
Completion of 1,500 hours endurance testing at 100F (38C), proved its ability to maintain power at high ambient temperatures. Inspection has shown the gas turbine to be in extremely good condition after testing.  
 
This latest milestone follows DNV (Det Norske Veritas) design approval earlier this year, which certified the engine at 36MW to DNV’s rules for classification of High Speed, Light Craft and Naval Surface Vessels.  
 
The gas turbine has 80 percent commonality with the Trent 800 aero engine, which has won a market-leading 44 percent of the Boeing 777 program, achieving more than five million flying hours since entering service in 1996.  
 
-ends-

[JLRC]

Pakistani Delegation Visits P-3C Orion Squadron  
 
 
(Source: US Navy; issued Aug. 9, 2004)
 
 
 MANAMA, Bahrain --- Patrol Squadron (VP) 9 hosted a maritime surveillance familiarization visit of four Pakistani naval aviation experts in Bahrain Aug. 1-5.  
 
The Pakistani delegation consisted of a naval aviator, a tactical officer, a maintenance officer, and an air crew operator, and was given tours of Commander, U.S. Navy Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet spaces and VP-9 spaces, briefs on U.S. maritime patrol and surveillance capabilities and procedures in the 5th Fleet area of operations, and taken on two familiarization flights aboard U.S. P-3C Orion aircraft.  
 
“There’s very little difference between the way our countries do business,” said Pakastani Tactical Officer Cmdr. Sajjad Akbar. “The differences are mainly due to differences in the aircraft and the equipment. It’s all very similar.”  
 
One flight was conducted in cooperation with a Pakistani Atlantique maritime patrol aircraft.  
 
“We gained a better understanding of just how proficient the Pakistani maritime patrol forces are,” said Cmdr. Rod Urbano, commanding officer of VP-9. “We worked with the Atlantique and saw that their procedures and tactics are very similar to ours, and that working together we can be very effective in patrolling the areas in and around the North Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.”  
 
However, in addition to their other maritime patrol aircraft, Pakistan has a P-3C squadron of their own. The familiarization visit was a big step toward its operational employment.  
 
“We’ve been able to see how VP-9 operates, and since we’re looking forward to operationalizing our own squadron of P-3Cs very soon, that has been a great help,” said Akbar. “Just seeing how the aircraft and the crew and the squadron operate has been a huge help.  
 
“Secondly, we have been able to clarify coalition requirements, so the opportunities we have to help the coalition, we know what is required of us,” he said. “That is a great advantage, so we can be a big help.”  
 
Pakistan is already a key coalition partner in the global war on terrorism, and the visit only increased confidence between the nations.  
 
“Communications between the aircraft [U.S. P-3C and Pakistani Atlantique] were very smooth,” said Urbano. “The riders were able to see the capabilities of our aircraft, and they saw the ease of operating with U.S. forces. These opportunities just increase the comfort level between our two countries, and we hope to be able to do this more and more in the future,” he added.  
 
As for the future, both parties are optimistic.  
 
“We know that by ourselves, we really cannot cover all of this ocean,” said Urbano. “Only through cooperation with our coalition allies will we be able to do a better job in thwarting all the international terrorist organizations. So for us, it’s a welcome opportunity. We can only grow stronger with these interactions.”  
 
Anti-smuggling, anti-drug trafficking and protection of shipping is a primary concern for us, said Akbar, but like everyone, our focus has shifted now toward the global war on terrorism.  
 
“As soon as our P-3Cs are online, we’ll hopefully be even more active in the coalition,” he added.  
 
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[JLRC]

AEGIS Combat System For Air Warfare Destroyers
 
 
(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued Aug. 11, 2004)
 
 
 The Howard Government has selected the Aegis air warfare system as the core of the combat system for Australia's new air warfare destroyers, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced today.  
 
"The Aegis system is the world's pre-eminent maritime air warfare system and forms the backbone of the United States Navy fleet," Senator Hill said.  
 
"Also currently in-service with the Japanese and Spanish navies and soon to be introduced into the South Korean and Norwegian fleets, the Aegis is capable of detecting and defeating multiple hostile aircraft and missiles at ranges in excess of 150 kilometres.  
 
"This combat system will be a quantum leap in the air warfare capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy. It will provide significantly increased protection from air attack for troops being transported and deployed, long-range area air warfare defence for a Navy task group and a coordinated air picture for the more effective deployment of fighter and surveillance aircraft."  
 
The first of Australia's three new air warfare destroyers will be delivered in 2013. The new ships, including the Aegis combat system, will be constructed at a cost of $4.5 billion - $6 billion.  
 
Defence recommended the Aegis as the best system for its air warfare combat needs based on cost, capability, risk and schedule following analysis by the Defence Science Technology Organisation and support from the US Navy.  
 
Defence will now undertake a combat system integration and risk reduction study to:  
 
-- Refine detailed aspects of the version of the Aegis system to be acquired;  
 
-- Explore the use of Australian designed phased array fire control technology that has significant potential to enhance the air warfare destroyers' capabilities; and  
 
-- Examine options for integrating Australian components and sub-systems into the Aegis combat system.  
 
The decision to conduct the study is consistent with the Government's implementation of the Kinnaird Review's recommendation that increased planning and analysis be undertaken during the early stages of defence projects. Defence will recommend the detail of the total combined combat system and the preferred design for the air warfare destroyers in mid-2005.  
 
"This decision is a good example of the benefits Australia has derived from our close working relationship with the US," Senator Hill said.  
 
"The RAN and US Navy have been working closely on the air warfare destroyer project since signing a Statement of Principles on Surface Warfare earlier this year. This cooperation means the RAN will continue to benefit from the US Navy's wealth of technical and operational experience and knowledge of the Aegis system."  
 
The air warfare destroyers project will provide significant opportunities for Australian industry, including the construction of these ships in Australia and opportunities in sub-systems.  
 
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[JLRC]

First Royal Thai Navy Super Lynx 300 Makes Maiden Flight
 
 
(Source: Agusta Westland; issued Aug. 11, 2004)
 
 
 A significant milestone was achieved on July 26th 2004 when the first Super Lynx 300 helicopter for the Royal Thai Navy undertook a successful maiden flight from AgustaWestland’s Yeovil plant in the UK.  
 
Alan Johnston, Chief Operating Officer in the UK, said the maiden flight marked a further chapter in the Lynx success story. “With the Super Lynx 300 already in service with the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Air Force of Oman, we are delighted that Thailand will be the next customer to receive the best aircraft in its class. We developed the Super Lynx 300 to meet customers’ changing requirements, providing greatly increased performance, new cockpit display system and an all new avionics suite, to maintain Super Lynx as the leader in its market.”  
 
The Royal Thai Navy ordered new generation Super Lynx 300 naval helicopters in late 2001 and they will be operated from their frigates performing anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, SAR and maritime surveillance roles.  
 
The Super Lynx 300 helicopters will initially remain at the AgustaWestland plant in Yeovil, while pilots and maintainers are trained. The aircraft will then be delivered to Thailand in late 2004 and enter service with the Royal Thai Navy in early 2005.  
 
The Royal Thai Navy will become the second operator of the Super Lynx 300 in Asia and the third customer to start operations. Super Lynx 300s are already in service with the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Air Force of Oman. The South African National Defence Force has also ordered Super Lynx 300 helicopters to operate from their Valour Class frigates.  
 
AgustaWestland is one of the largest helicopter companies in the world. The company offers an unrivaled range of helicopters designed to satisfy the most diverse requirements of civil and military customers. Committed to delivering outstanding products and services, AgustaWestland is capable of supporting wide-ranging missions in globally competitive markets.  
 
AgustaWestland has its primary operations in Cascina Costa, Italy, and Yeovil, United Kingdom. AgustaWestland has two subsidiaries in the USA: AgustaWestland Inc located in Arlington, Virginia and Agusta Aerospace Corporation located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where helicopters are assembled and customized for the US market.  
 
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[JLRC]

Hyundai Heavy Plans To Build Destroyer
 
 
(Source: Korean Information Service; issued Aug. 12, 2004)
 
 
 The South Korean Navy selected Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. as a final bidder to build a destroyer, which marks the first ship out of three vessels developed under a program code-named KDX-III, Navy officials said on Wednesday (August 11).  
 
They said the 7,000-ton vessel is equipped with long and mid-range vessel-to-air missiles, ship-to-ship missiles and torpedoes, and it could also accommodate two mid-sized helicopters against possible North Korean and neighboring threats at sea.  
 
The Navy will sign an official contract with Hyundai, which is expected to deliver the destroyer to the Navy by the end of 2008.  
 
But Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, which failed to garner the bid in the final round of competition, claimed that the government extended a favor to Hyundai.  
 
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[JLRC]

Pentagon Contract Announcement
 
 
(Source: US Department of Defense; issued Aug. 11, 2004)
 
 
 Raytheon Co., Integrated Defense Systems, Portsmouth, R.I., is being awarded an $18,545,866 fixed-price modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-03-C-4031) for the procurement of the Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) Subsystem for integration into the Integrated Electronics Suite (IES) for the Italian Navy’s Multi-Purpose Vessel.  
 
The IES is currently composed of communications and intelligence systems, including Ship Wide Area Network, Communication Intelligence, Data Display and Decision Intelligence, Communications Systems, Small Ship Electronic Warfare Support Measures System, and related technical support, training and documentation.  
 
The ELINT subsystem will be procured, installed, tested and integrated within the IES.  
 
Work will be performed in Concord, Calif. (57.6 percent); Portsmouth, R.I. (38.9 percent); Salt Lake City, Utah (2.1 percent); and Annapolis Junction, Md. (1.4 percent); and is expected to be completed in July 2006. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification supports the Government of Italy under the Foreign Military Sales Program.  
 
The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.  
 
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[JLRC]

EDO Awarded Torpedo Sonar Contracts
 
 
(Source: EDO Corp.; issued Aug. 12, 2004)
 
 
 NEW YORK --- EDO Corporation has been awarded two contracts worth $1.5 million to produce new torpedo sonar technology. The contracts were awarded by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), Newport Division, Newport, R.I. Work under these contracts will continue through 2005.  
 
The effort is part of the ongoing Swampworks torpedo sonar project. Under these contracts, EDO will fabricate sonar arrays consisting of broadband projectors and hydrophones with the associated receive-signal conditioning and digital multiplexing electronics. In addition, EDO will support higher level integration and testing by NUWC.  
 
“Our new advancements in sonar technology will improve the Navy’s ability to conduct anti-submarine warfare in acoustically challenging littoral environments, and defeat torpedo countermeasures,” said James M. Smith, EDO’s chief executive officer. “We will utilize an innovative EDO broadband sensor array with integrated digital electronics, developed in conjunction with NUWC and the University of Rhode Island.”  
 
EDO Corporation provides military and commercial products and professional services, with core competencies in a wide range of critical defense areas.  
 
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