[JLRC]

Help on Hand for Canadian Submarine
 
 
(Source: Royal Navy; issued Oct. 6, 2004)
 
 
 The Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose rendezvoused with the Canadian submarine HMCS Chicoutimi in the Atlantic on 6 October, following a fire aboard the submarine on the afternoon of 5 October. A Royal Air Force Nimrod aircraft had provided search and rescue cover for the submarine overnight, and two more Royal Navy vessels are en route to assist.  
 
Chicoutimi, the former Royal Navy submarine HMS Upholder, was on passage from Faslane to Canada when the fire broke out. The Nimrod was scrambled as a precaution, and Montrose was dispatched to the scene.  
 
Her sister ship HMS Marlborough and the support vessel RFA Wave Knight have also been tasked to assist, along with two salvage tugs.  
 
Three RAF and Royal Navy Sea King and Merlin helicopters deployed to Northern Ireland as a precaution, and three injured crew were evacuated on the evening of 6 October to hospital in the Irish Republic. Sadly, the Canadian Government confirmed that one subsequently died of his injuries.  
 
Chicoutimi is approximately 60 miles off the northwest coast of Ireland, and the weather remains very difficult, but is expected to improve.  
 
There were two fires on board the Canadian diesel powered submarine HMCS Chicoutimi on 5 October. The fires were in the electrical circuits and have caused extensive damage. HMCS Chicoutimi has lost power and propulsion and efforts are currently underway to restore steering. The submarine was on the surface at the time of the fires.  
 
HMS Montrose arrived at the scene at 1300 6 October. A medical team was transferred by boat to the submarine HMS Marlborough and RFA Wave Knight have also now arrived at the scene. Two Search and Rescue Sea King helicopters and a Merlin helicopter are deployed to Northern Ireland on standby to provide assistance if required. RFA Argus is also on route to provide assistance. Argus has the ability to support helicopters for an extended period close to the scene. A specialist tug, the MV Anglian Prince is also en route to provide assistance and a specialist vessel the MV Carolyn Chouest, a US submarine support vessel is en route from Faslane expected to arrive later today.  
 
Following the evacuation by Royal Navy Sea King of three casualties suffering from smoke inhalation last night the Canadian government announced the death of Lt Chris Saunders, as a result of his injuries sustained in fighting the fire on board. Two other casualties are receiving medical treatment in hospital in Northern Ireland.  
 
The Royal Navy’s objective is to support the Canadian submarine and help provide logistics, medical, aviation and moral support to the crew. Efforts are also being made to restore electrical supply to the submarine. The crew has plenty of food and water on the submarine and the ambient temperature remains good. Specialist technical support is being provided on HMS Montrose.  
 
Weather conditions remain difficult with strong winds and wave heights of some 5 metres. It is hoped the weather will moderate by the morning of Friday 8 October to provide an opportunity to take the submarine undertow to safe waters if her propulsion cannot be restored..  
 
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[JLRC]

Canadian Submarine HMCS Chicoutimi
 
 
(Source: Canadian Department of National Defence; issued Oct. 10, 2004)
 
 
 HMCS CHICOUTIMI arrived in Faslane, Scotland on 10 October 04. The crew is being accommodated ashore while they rest and undergo medical screening and counselling before returning to Canada.  
 
The Canadian Navy has expressed its appreciation today for the outstanding international effort made in the successful recovery of HMCS CHICOUTIMI.  
 
The Canadian Navy frigate HMCS ST JOHN’S is also in Faslane, to provide support to the submariners.  
 
HMCS WINDSOR is providing qualified submariners to help maintain the technical systems on board HMCS CHICOUTIMI while the crew are repatriated to Canada.  
 
 
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[JLRC]

Indonesian Navy Ships to Visit Australia
 
 
(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued Oct. 9, 2004)
 
 
 The Indonesian Navy will be visiting Darwin and Perth during October, reciprocating Royal Australian Navy ship visits to Indonesian ports and highlighting the strengthening relationship between our two countries’ Navies.  
 
Two Indonesian Navy vessels, the fast patrol boat KRI Hiu and the corvette KRI Tjiptadi will visit Darwin from 10 to 13 October. More than one hundred Indonesian Naval officers and sailors will enjoy a brief period of rest and recreation in Darwin, before returning to Indonesia.  
 
The second visit will occur from 14 to 17 October. Three ships will visit HMAS Stirling in Perth – the frigate KRI Karel Satsuittbun, the corvette KRI Fatahila and the oiler/replenishment tanker KRI Arun. The three ships carry a total crew of more than five hundred officers and sailors. Commodore Agus Suhartono, Commander of the Command Task Group, will lead the ships into HMAS Stirling.  
 
While in Perth, HMAS Melbourne will conduct in-port training with the three Indonesian ships and will conduct a 24 hour training activity with the ships when they depart HMAS Stirling.  
 
Reciprocal ship visits foster maritime cooperation with Australia’s regional neighbors. Combined training activities improve interoperability skills between the Australian and Indonesian Navies.  
 
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[JLRC]

VICTORIA Pre-Acceptance Sea Trials
 
 
(Source: Canadian Department of National Defence; issued Oct. 11, 2004)
 
 
 In 1998 Canada acquired four diesel-electric submarines from the United Kingdom, which the Canadian Navy has formally designated the Victoria Class Long Range Patrol Submarine. These modern submarines replaced three Oberon Class submarines retired in 2000 after more than three decades of service.  
 
Reactivating the submarines and preparing them for Canadian service requires that a comprehensive verification process take place where every system and component on the vessels is examined to ensure each submarine is fully capable and safe. This extensive process took over four years to complete, and was done with the complete cooperation of the Royal Navy. The final portion of this process involved a series of sea trials and confidence checks to test submarine systems, equipment and crews before they are put into service.  
 
On average, each submarine spent approximately 30 days at sea before acceptance by the Canadian Navy. For example, as part of acceptance trials HMCS Chicoutimi spent 37 days conducting extensive sea trials in Barrow-in-Furness, England. This involved a series of short voyages followed by brief periods alongside to validate submarine systems and correct for any anomalies.  
 
These sea trials also confirm crew training and overall safety of the submarine. Sea Readiness Inspections and crew examinations are conducted prior to the submarine’s final workup period, signaling the culmination of months and sometimes years of cautious and deliberate verification of a submarine’s capabilities and safe operation.  
 
Only after completion of these comprehensive trials and examinations does an official handover and naming ceremony take place, and the submarine accepted by the Canadian Navy.  
 
The Victoria Class submarines give the Navy a wide range of capabilities. They are extremely quiet and stealthy and are well suited to work independently or with other maritime forces in a range of critical naval roles including safeguarding our maritime sovereignty as well as supporting Canadian foreign policy overseas.  
 
For a nation like Canada, the potency and stealth capability of submarines makes these warships one of the most effective means of deterring a military or other major challenge to our national security from anyone who would exploit the sovereignty of our maritime economic zone.  
 
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[JLRC]

Raytheon to Provide Rolling Airframe Missiles to Korean Navy Under $25 Million Contract
 
 
(Source: Raytheon Co.; issued Oct. 11, 2004)
 
 
 TUCSON, Ariz. --- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has been awarded a $25 million contract by the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) to provide Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Guided Missile Weapon Systems for three KDX-3 Aegis Class destroyers.  
 
This is the fourth direct commercial sale of the RAM weapon system in Korea. Raytheon's RAM weapon system continues to provide the ROK Navy with vital defense against anti-ship missiles and will utilize the RAM Weapon Systems' inherent capability to defend against helicopter, aircraft and surface craft (HAS). The RAM weapon system will strengthen the ROK Navy multi- layer defense capability.  
 
"This most recent Korean procurement demonstrates the ROKN commitment to RAM as a standard in the Korean Navy, which becomes the first navy in the world to integrate RAM within an Aegis platform," said Todd Callahan, Raytheon's RAM program director.  
 
RAM is the world's premiere lightweight, quick-reaction, ship self-defense missile system. The Block 1 missile, in production, is equipped with a state- of-the-art autonomous infrared seeker, advanced proximity fuze, and RF/IR (radio frequency/infrared) dual-mode capability allowing it to protect ships against incoming anti-ship missiles. The HAS upgrade, in development, retains all of the Block 1 capability against anti-ship missiles and adds advanced signal processing to engage and destroy helicopter, aircraft and surface threats even in high clutter environments.  
 
RAM is developed and produced as a joint effort between Raytheon's Missile Systems business in Tucson, Ariz., and RAMSYS, a consortium of German companies. RAM is deployed in the U.S. German and South Korean navies. The Greek Navy has accepted delivery of its first RAM Weapon System and deployment is scheduled soon. More than 53 additional U.S. and German installations are planned, to include amphibious ship classes and aircraft carriers with further expansion into other allied navies.  
 
Raytheon Company, with 2003 sales of $18.1 billion, is an industry leader in defense and government electronics, space, information technology, technical services, and business and special mission aircraft. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 78,000 people worldwide.  
 
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[JLRC]

Ericsson Signed Sea Giraffe AMB Contract with United Arab Emirates
 
 
(Source: Ericsson Microwave Systems; issued Oct. 7, 2004)
 
 
 Ericsson Microwave Systems AB has received an order of four Sea Giraffe AMB naval surveillance radar systems from Abu Dhabi Ship Building for deliveries to the United Arab Emirates Navy's BAYNUNHAH program. The order also includes an option for two additional systems, which can be exercised between now and June 2005.  
 
The Sea Giraffe AMB (Agile Multiple Beam) belongs to the new generation of Giraffe radars. The Sea Giraffe AMB has excellent capabilities to rapidly and reliably detect small fast moving targets in all altitudes and small surface targets in severe clutter typical for the naval environment.  
 
The Sea Giraffe AMB is a true 3-dimensional radar featuring fast update, accurate tracking and high elevation coverage, all at the same time. The inherent ECCM capabilities are comprehensive including the stealth radome which is part of the deliveries to the United Arab Emirates navy program. In the Baynunha contract the IFF interrogator will be functionally integrated into the Sea Giraffe AMB for provisioning correlated tracking information to the ships' command and control system.  
 
"The negotiations have been going on for some time after a very comprehensive evaluation by the customer and end user," said Lars Törnquist, Vice President and General Manager Market Operations, Ericsson Microwave Systems AB. "That we now received this contract, in fierce international competition, once again confirms the Sea Giraffe AMB's very strong position in the world market today."  
 
Abu Dhabi Ship Building is the United Arab Emirates government's prime contractor for the BAYNUNAH program, which involves the design, construction and delivery of highly advanced 70-meter naval Corvettes with an impressive suite of state-of-the-art combat system sensors and weapons systems.  
 
Ericsson Microwave Systems is a leading supplier of radar sensors and information networks, creating security solutions for military and government agencies around the world.  
 
Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world.  
 
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[JLRC]

MK 54 Torpedo Headed Towards Full Production
 
 
(Source: US Naval Sea Systems Command; issued Oct. 12, 2004)
 
 
 KEYPORT, Wash. --- The future has arrived for the Navy’s newest Lightweight Torpedo. A concept in the early 1990’s, the MK 54 has been called the “Lightweight Torpedo of the 21st Century,” by its developers. The team that collaborated to design, develop, and test the MK 54 Torpedo includes many members from NAVSEA Warfare Centers (NWC) Keyport and Newport, Raytheon, and the Torpedo Program Office (PMS404). “The MK 54 Torpedo is a highly capable, shallow-water, lightweight torpedo with proven in-water performance. It is cost effective and clearly a win-win for the Fleet!” says Capt. Vernon Hutton.  
 
Starting with re-use of the MK 46 Torpedo propulsion system, engineers at NWC Newport and Raytheon worked together to design the best electronic systems into the MK 54 using proven torpedo subsystems from the MK 50 Lightweight Torpedo. Where advantageous, they also introduced commercial-off-the-shelf digital technologies into new electronics assemblies. Land-based performance testing by the warfare center and Raytheon coupled with weapons simulation testing at NUWC Newport’s Weapons Analysis Facility, resulted in a very efficient development process, where the weapon’s hardware design and tactical software could be extensively tested in simulated environments prior to use in live firings of exercise weapons on tracking ranges and in open ocean tests. The hard work of the design engineers paid off as the number of in-water runs required for MK 54 development, test, and evaluation was less than one-third the number of sea runs required for the MK 50 Torpedo during the same development phase. “The MK 54 designers at NWC Newport and Raytheon did a great job of optimizing the design and tactics to be included in each sea run before the exercise weapons were built by NWC Keyport,” said Pete Greene, Keyport weapons systems engineer.  
 
Further efficiency was gained through NWC Keyport’s in-water test capabilities at the warfare center’s northwest USW ranges and the co-location of Raytheon’s production facility with Keyport’s maintenance and test facilities. Capitalizing on existing capabilities and years of experience supporting Lightweight Torpedoes, NWC Keyport employs the maintenance processes required to support MK 54 Torpedo production, in-service engineering, and logistics required for introduction of this new weapon system in the Fleet.  
 
In July, Rear Adm David Architzel, Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force, found the MK 54 Torpedo suitable for Fleet use, concluding the test and evaluation process. In mid-August, PEO Subs Program Manager for Undersea Weapons (PMS 404), Capt. Vernon Hutton, announced that NWC Keyport is now a certified MK 54 Torpedo maintenance activity. Ten MK 54 Torpedoes required for initial operating capability (a production milestone) were delivered as ready for issue units on August 31, and are in the Fleet. Raytheon is currently in low rate initial production of the MK 54, with full rate production to begin in FY05.  
 
The success of MK 54 development to date is the direct result of the effective teamwork between the dedicated professionals at the Keyport and Newport warfare centers and Raytheon. Future development plans for MK 54 include use as the payload for the Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket and periodic increases in capability through a Spiral Development program.  
 
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[JLRC]

Statement: Chief of Maritime Staff Vice-Admiral Bruce MacLean
 
 
(Source: Canadian Department of National Defence; issued Oct. 12, 2004)
 
 
 OTTAWA --- Statement from Vice-Admiral Bruce MacLean, Chief of Maritime Staff and Commander of Canada's Navy:  
 
 
"Earlier today, the President of the military Board of Inquiry into HMCS CHICOUTIMI incident, advised me of preliminary information which caused me to decide that it would be prudent to keep all submarines alongside until more analysis can be done on the possible causes of the fire.  
 
With this information I consulted the Navy's Sub Safe organization and have subsequently ordered the submarines to remain alongside while we analyze this initial information."  
 
 
HMCS VICTORIA is currently alongside in Esquimalt, B.C., while HMCS CORNER BROOK and HMCS WINDSOR are alongside in Halifax, N.S.  
 
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[JLRC]

Mistral Launched: First BPC Force Projection & Command Vessel  
 
 
(Source: DCN French shipyards; dated Oct. 6, 2004)
 
 
 Today, Wednesday 6 October 2004, an official ceremony was held at DCN’s Brest shipyard to launch the Mistral, the first of two BPC force projection & command vessels for the French Navy.  
 
The ceremony, organized by DCN, was attended by Admiral Battet, Chief-of-Staff of the French Navy, Mr Jean-Michel Labrande, head of DGA/SPN (the French defence procurement agency’s naval directorate), representatives of the main programme partners and delegations from North America, south-east Asia and northern Europe.  
 
The event is a major milestone in the BPC shipbuilding programme. The ship will now move to the final fitting out stage before proceeding, ahead of schedule, to trials and testing, then delivery in 2005. In parallel with these activities, the construction of the Tonnerre, the second of the class, is progressing rapidly towards its scheduled delivery in 2006.  
 
The DGA, the acting principal for the BPC programme, awarded the contract for the design and construction of the two ships to prime contractor DCN, in partnership with Alstom Marine-Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Thales, for a total cost of EUR 570 million. Design/need optimization and innovative engineering solutions cut construction times and reduced costs by some 30% compared with the earlier Foudre and Sirocco generations.  
 
The contracting arrangements have enabled each main contractor to contribute its key shipbuilding strengths. As a result, the aft sections, which are more military, are the responsibility of DCN’s Brest shipyard, whereas the forward sections, more like commercial ships, are the responsibility of Alstom Marine-Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s Saint-Nazaire shipyard.  
 
The Mistral and Tonnerre are all-electric ships with a length overall of 199 metres and a displacement of 21,300 tons. The BPC concept combines a landing helicopter dock, a floating hospital, an amphibious assault ship, a troop transport and a command vessel — all in a single platform.  
 
With its exemplary capabilities and modular design, the BPC has excellent prospects on the international market.  
 
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[JLRC]

High Speed Military Cat Christened and Launched
 
 
(Source: Austal; issued Oct. 14, 2004)
 
 
 
“AMH SeaCoaster”, the 31.2 metre long surface-effect catamaran that will be used to demonstrate advanced hull-form technology to the United States Office of Naval Research (ONR), was christened at a ceremony at Austal’s Mobile, Alabama shipyard on October 1.  
 
Monsignor Warren Wall of St. Ignatius parish in Mobile performed the invocation, benediction and ship’s blessing at the ceremony which was attended by guests including US Congressman Jo Bonner, Admiral Jay Cohen (Chief of Naval Research), Congressman Sonny Callahan, Mike Collins (President of American Marine Holdings, the ship’s owner) and Tom Bender (CEO, Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co.).  
 
The traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne over the vessel’s bows was ably performed by Mrs. Karen Callahan, wife of former Congressman Sonny Callahan.  
 
“AMH SeaCoaster”, Austal’s Hull 612 and the eighth vessel to be built at Austal’s purpose-built aluminum shipbuilding facility in the United States, was subsequently launched early on October 3.  
 
The ship is being built for American Marine Holdings, which has been awarded a contract to demonstrate its licensed technology SeaCoaster design to ONR. ONR coordinates, executes and promotes the science and technology programs of the Navy and Marine Corps as well as providing technical advice to the Chief of Naval Operations and the Secretary of the Navy.  
 
The patented SeaCoaster catamaran design features cavities in the bottom of each hull into which air is blown providing lift to the vessel, reducing resistance, and thus allowing higher speeds to be obtained. Designer-inventor Don Burg expects speeds of up to 56 knots. Following its successful evaluation by ONR, American Marine Holdings expects various departments of the US military to decide on potential applications for the air-inducted technology and possibly order additional vessels for specific uses.  
American Marine Holdings President, Mr. Mike Collins, said Austal was selected to build the vessel for ONR due to its expertise in aluminum vessel construction.  
 
“Austal USA brings to this market a new dimension in high speed marine transport, utilizing the company’s leading edge technology and construction capabilities that were not previously available to US customers,” he said.  
 
 
Principal particulars  
 
--Overall length: 31.2 metres  
--Beam: 9.75 metres  
--Hull depth (moulded): 3.35 metres  
--Main engines: 4 x 1045kW Caterpillar diesels  
--Propulsion: 4 x ZF surface-piercing propellers  
--Speed: 56 knots  
 
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[JLRC]

Royal Maces Return, Ready with ‘Super’ Capabilities
 
 
(Source: US Navy; issued Oct. 13, 2004)
 
 
 ATSUGI, Japan --- Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 returned home to Naval Air Facility Atsugi Sept. 22 after participating in the squadron’s transition from the F/A-18C Hornet to the new F/A-18E Super Hornet.  
 
The training for the shift took place at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., allowing members of the squadron to learn what they needed in order to maintain and operate the Super Hornets.  
 
“The Super Hornet is a fantastic aircraft, which greatly enhances the capabilities of the air wing and the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Strike Group, and we are all extremely excited about finally employing the new aircraft with all the forward deployed naval forces,” said Lt. Cmdr. Todd Abrahamson, VFA-27’s administration officer.  
 
The “Royal Maces” 13 new Super Hornets serve as the full complement of the squadron’s aircraft and were scheduled to arrive in multiple waves Sept. 30, but were delayed due to weather. The squadron’s leadership, along with almost 40 family members, were on hand to greet the Sailors with snacks, hugs and waving hands.  
 
“After a long four months in Lemoore, it’s great to be back home with Carrier Air Wing 5 and our families,” Abrahamson said.  
 
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[JLRC]

U.S. Submarine Support Ship Assists Canadian Submarine
 
 
(Source: US Navy; issued Oct. 13, 2004)
 
 
 LONDON --- Sailors aboard the U.S. submarine support ship MV Carolyn Chouest joined in the international rescue efforts for the Canadian submarine HMCS Chicoutimi in October.  
 
Two electrical circuit fires broke out aboard the Chicoutimi Oct. 5, resulting in a loss of power and propulsion more than 100 miles northwest of Ireland in the eastern Atlantic.  
 
When requests for assistance came in, Carolyn Chouest was on a port visit in Faslane, Scotland.  
 
“We arrived on-scene Thursday afternoon, and there were five other British ships assisting the submarine,” said Lt. Dean Manley, operations officer aboard. “The British tug boat [MV Anglian Prince] was initially towing the submarine, but we took over the tow on Saturday, because the Carolyn is specifically designed to tow subs.”  
 
Carolyn Chouest also has towing monitoring equipment aboard and can tow at a quicker speed than regular tugboats. For the crew of Carolyn Chouest, this was a fairly routine tow.  
 
“We cut away the tow at Cumbrae Gap, in the Firth of Clyde, an inlet of water near Scotland that provides passage to Faslane,” added Manley. “The British tug boats took over from there and pulled the submarine in Sunday evening.”  
 
MV Carolyn Chouest is one of five leased submarine support ships from Edison Chouest Offshore. The crew is comprised of 35 Sailors and 15 civilian crew members from Edison Chouest Offshore.  
 
Carolyn Chouest, from Groton, Conn., is operated by Military Sealift Command.  
 
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[JLRC]

Albatrosse for Tunisia
 
 
(Source: German Ministry of Defence; dated Oct. 5, web-posted Oct. 14, 2004)

(Issued in German only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)
 
 
 BERLIN --- Tunisia has acquired six Type 143 B fast patrol boats speedboats (Albatros-class) from the German navy, Defense Minister Peter Struck told reporters Oct. 5 in Berlin.  
 
The purchase price amounts to 33 million euros, with an additional 3 percent surcharge for related expenses. In addition, Struck and his Tunisian colleague, Mr. Dali Jazi, signed a an agreement covering the protection of classified information as well as another agreement covering closer bilateral cooperation between the two countries’ military health services.  
 
Minister Struck appreciated "very good German-Tunisian co-operation, including in the fight against the international terrorism". Jazi, his Tunisian counterpart, said "we do not participate in any arms race. We do not have problems with our neighbour states, [but] however we have a problem with the monitoring of the borders of our territory."  
 
This sector is where the boats will be used.  
 
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[JLRC]

Sailor Exchange with Indian Navy Opens Window to New World
 
 
(Source: US Navy; issued Oct. 14, 2004)
 
 
 INDIAN OCEAN --- Sailors from both the U.S. and Indian navies got a taste of what life is like aboard each other’s ships during Exercise Malabar 04, Oct. 1-9, in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Goa, India.  
 
Selected sailors exchanged places with each other, allowing them to learn more about life in another navy.  
 
“They have a very career-oriented navy,” said Lt. j.g. Sam Barris from USS Cowpens (CG 63), who spent three days aboard the Indian navy destroyer INS Mysore. “Whereas we have Sailors that may only come in for four years and then get out, they have a navy where you’re expected to stay in for a career. They are very devoted to that duty for that reason. They are very focused.”  
 
The Indian sailors had to adjust to a new timetable - one that has to do with the cultural differences between how the U.S. and Indian navies conduct their workday.  
 
“Normally we have breakfast until [7:30], then we go back to berthing and clean up, and our work day does not start until [9 a.m.],” he said. “We then take lunch at [12:30] and have time to go back to berthing to relax until [4 p.m.],” said Jose Mathew, senior petty officer in the sonar department aboard INS Betwa.  
 
“The Indian Sailors are much more casual on the ship, and I think that is more due to their culture and they are not a forward-deployed ship,” said Ensign Jamarr Johnson, electronics warfare officer aboard USS Gary (FFG 51), who spent three days on INS Bramaputhra. “I am not a coffee drinker, but I drank a lot of cups of coffee on Bramaputhra. Coffee breaks are a way of life for them. But I have to admit, I liked the afternoon break.”  
 
“They are professional, they are very devoted and they are very relaxed,” Barris said. “On the first day out, each department fielded a volleyball team, and they played volleyball on the flight deck, with the XO [executive officer] and CO [commanding officer] officiating. They really amazed me.”  
 
Working in the Command Information and Control (CIC) center aboard Gary, Viraat Tactical Department Leading Petty Officer Kesava Rao Hanumanthu said he saw similarities, as well as differences between the two navies.  
 
“All the communication language and terminology is the same,” he said. “The major difference is that the U.S. Navy is using computer-based programs to operate, and we are using manuals. We get the same results, it just takes a bit more time and effort to get to it.”  
 
“What I saw on Bramaputhra was a lot of senior officers who were experts at their job,” said Johnson. “But that was all they knew. That’s where I think our cross training in the U.S. Navy pays off. We are more flexible to do other jobs.”  
 
In addition to the work technology, the leisure technology the U.S. Navy possesses impressed Indian sailors.  
 
“When an Indian Navy ship is in port, we get television service, but when we are underway we do not have it,” said Mathew. “We were watching live sporting events and American television while we were at sea, as well as watching the latest movies. It’s great.”  
 
“Internet capabilities are fantastic on the Navy ship,” said Hanumanthu. “We only use the computer in emergency situations due to how much it costs to run the Internet on our ship,” he said. “Being able to e-mail your family while you are under way lets them know you are safe, and that makes a big difference on the morale of the guys on the ship, as well as for their families.”  
 
Barris said he thinks he’s made some new life-long friends.  
 
“One of the officers saw me the other day [while I was in my white uniform],” he recalled, “and he said, ‘what are you doing in that uniform? You’re a Mysore sailor!’ That really meant a lot to me personally.”  
 
Malabar was designed to increase interoperability between the two navies while enhancing the cooperative security relationship between India and the United States. The at-sea training included maritime interdiction, surface events, sub-surface and air events, as well as personnel exchanges.  
 
Besides Gary and Cowpens, the U.S. Navy was represented by the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Alexandria (SSN 757), and P-3C maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.  
 
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[JLRC]

Tenders Called to Build Air Warfare Destroyers
 
 
(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued Oct. 16, 2004)
 
 
 The Federal Government has today advertised for Australian shipbuilders to bid for one of Australia's largest and most complex Defence projects, the Navy's Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs).  
 
Defence Minister Robert Hill said a Request for Proposal (RFP) will be released and the terms of the proposal will be available from Monday, 18 October 2004.  
 
"The proposal will be for the construction of three AWDs in Australia," Senator Hill said. "The RFP will be available to qualified shipbuilding organisations that have entered into agreements with the Commonwealth in relation to confidentiality and related matters."  
 
Senator Hill said tender documents for the $4.5-$6 billion project have been developed by Defence in consultation with independent commercial adviser Carnegie Wylie & Company.  
 
The tender for the construction of the AWDs will remain open for approximately nine weeks. Defence will then evaluate tender responses, with Government to receive a recommendation on the preferred shipbuilder in March 2005.  
 
Once appointed, the preferred shipbuilder will be in a position to assist the Commonwealth select the preferred design for the AWD in mid 2005.  
 
Senator Hill said tenders will be sought on an alliance-style contract basis, with the vessels to be built in Australia. The successful shipbuilder will be majority Australian-owned and be required to satisfy a range of price and non-price criteria, including:  
 
--Commitment to the principles of a long-term risk sharing arrangement with the Commonwealth and other industry partners for the construction of the AWDs;  
 
--A cost, overhead and pricing structure that will enable the cost effective delivery of the AWDs, including the ability to build designs considering 'whole of life' costs;  
 
--A sound record of past performance in building naval vessels;  
 
--Commercial viability and financial backing;  
 
--Access to the skilled workforce required to produce ships to the Commonwealth's requirements;  
 
--Willingness to provide open financial accounting data - including visibility through to the sub-contractor level - to the Commonwealth;  
 
--Capacity to provide the Commonwealth with transparency and contractual influence over major sub-contractors; and  
 
--Capacity to access sensitive technology required for the AWD project.  
 
 
Companies bidding for the AWDs will be required to include Australian skills and training programs in their tenders, with Defence to fund companies for extra skills generation and training benefits in the programs.  
 
The AWDs represent a quantum leap in the air warfare capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy. The vessels, which are to be introduced into service from 2013, will be equipped with the world-class AEGIS radar that is capable of detecting and defeating multiple hostile aircraft and missiles at ranges in excess of 150 kilometres.  
 
The AWDs will also have an anti-submarine and anti-shipping capability, together with the potential for the ships' sensors to be used to detect ballistic missiles in flight. They will provide significantly increased protection from air attack for troops being transported and deployed and long-range air warfare defence for a Navy task group.  
 
As outlined earlier this year, the Government has asked the international design houses Blohm & Voss of Germany; Gibbs & Cox of the Unites States and Izar of Spain to produce evolved concept designs based on their existing ship classes the Saschen Class F124 Frigate; the Arleigh Burke Class Guided Missile Destroyer; and the Alvaro De Bazan Class F100 Frigate respectively.  
 
The AWD project provides a massive opportunity for Australian industry to participate at both the prime and sub-contractor level. The project will also create new Australian jobs and skills and strengthen Australia's strategic industrial base.  
 
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