Ministry of Defence | Defence News | Training and Adventure | HMS Illustrious visits Malta

In:  http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/TrainingAndAdventure/HmsIllustriousVisitsMalta.htm

Defence

News Article

HMS Illustrious visits Malta

A Training and Adventure news article

22 Nov 12

HMS Illustrious has arrived at the Mediterranean island of Malta for a five-day visit.

Tugs help to guide HMS Illustrious into the port of Valletta
[Picture: Petty Officer (Photographer) Ray Jones, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]

More than 1,500 sailors and marines lined the deck of the Portsmouth-based helicopter carrier as she entered the port of Valletta.
As well as an onboard reception for the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the ship will be holding an affiliation event for representatives from the Maltese cities of Senglea, Vittoriosa and L'Isla.
The helicopter carrier is twinned with the three cities due to a previous HMS Illustrious which was bombed during the Second World War and underwent extensive repair at the Grand Harbour in Malta.
Captain Martin Connell, Commanding Officer of HMS Illustrious, said it was a proud moment for him to be sailing HMS Illustrious into Valletta:

Sailors line the deck of HMS Illustrious as she enters the port of Valletta
[Picture: Petty Officer (Photographer) Ray Jones, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]

"We are very much aware of not just the history of this ship but also the previous Illustrious and what the people of Malta did to help save her in 1941," he added.

The Maltese Government also allowed the Grand Harbour in Valletta to be used for berthing by HMS Cumberland and HMS York following their evacuation of British nationals from Libya in 2011.
This time in Grand Harbour, sailors and marines from HMS Illustrious will be helping out with a variety of worthy causes including a clean-up of outdoor spaces in collaboration with the Nature Trust.
Later in the week HMS Illustrious will be joined by the Royal Navy fleet flagship, HMS Bulwark, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Mounts Bay.
HMS Illustrious is part of the Cougar 12 deployment - a three-month work-up of the Royal Navy's Response Force Task Group (RFTG).

HMS Illustrious enters Malta's Grand Harbour
[Picture: Petty Officer (Photographer) Ray Jones, Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]

The deployment is a test of the RFTG's capability should it be called into action at short notice.
The force is designed to respond to rapidly unfolding world events - the last time being Libya in 2011.
As part of Cougar 12, the ships have been working with Royal Marines commando units and the Fleet Air Arm to put their amphibious capability to the test - the power to transfer marines from ships onto the beaches of hostile nations.
As well as exercising the 3,000 British sailors, marines and airmen, the task force has worked alongside French and Albanian forces to ensure the nations could co-operate on a military level in the future.

The US Navy -- Fact File: Aircraft Carriers - CVN

The US Navy -- Fact File: Aircraft Carriers - CVN

Great suumary of the USN:
In: http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=200&ct=4
 

Aircraft Carriers - CVN

Description Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America�s Naval forces. On any given day, aircraft carriers exercise the Navy core capabilities of power projection, forward presence, humanitarian assistance, deterrence, sea control and maritime security.

Features The aircraft carrier continues to be the centerpiece of the forces necessary for forward presence. In times of crisis, the first question leaders ask in a crisis is: �Where are the carriers?� Often the presence of an aircraft carrier has deterred potential adversaries from striking against U.S. interests. Aircraft Carriers support and operate aircraft that engage in attacks on airborne, afloat and ashore targets that threaten free use of the sea; and engage in sustained power projection operations in support U.S. and coalition ground forces in Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The aircraft carrier and its strike group also engage in maritime security operations to interdict threats to merchant shipping and prevent the use of the seas as a highway for terrorist traffic. Aircraft also provide unique capabilities for disaster response and humanitarian assistance. The embarked carrier air wing provides helicopters for direct support and C4I assets to support them and ensure aid is routed quickly and safely. The 10 Nimitz class aircraft carriers are the largest warships in the world, each designed for an approximately 50 year service life with one mid-life refueling. USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) have all completed their Refueling Complex Overhauls (RCOH) at Newport News, Va., with USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) scheduled to return to the Fleet in 2013. The next generation of aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford class (CVN 78) was ordered in 2008 and is slated to be delivered in 2015 to replace USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Gerald R. Ford class The Gerald R. Ford class is the future aircraft carrier replacement class for USS Enterprise and CVN 68, or Nimitz class aircraft carriers. Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) was ordered from Newport News Shipbuilding on Sept. 10, 2008, and is scheduled to be delivered in 2015. The Gerald R. Ford class will be the premier forward asset for crisis response and early decisive striking power in a major combat operation. Gerald R. Ford class aircraft carriers and carrier strike groups will provide the core capabilities of forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security and humanitarian assistance. The class brings improved warfighting capability, quality of life improvements for our Sailors and reduced acquisition and life cycle costs. Each ship in the new class will save $4 billion in total ownership costs during its 50-year service life, compared to the Nimitz-class. For comparison, the total ownership cost for a Nimitz-class ship is $39.2 billion in FY 12 constant year dollars, and the total ownership cost for CVN 78 is expected to be $35.6 billion. Half of the total ownership cost for an aircraft carrier is allocated to the direct and indirect costs of manpower for operations and maintenance of the ship. The CVN 78 is being designed to operate effectively with nearly 800 fewer crew members than a CVN 68-class ship. Improvements in the ship design will allow the embarked air wing to operate with 663 fewer personnel. Technologies and ship design initiatives that replace maintenance-intensive systems with low maintenance systems are expected to reduce watch standing and maintenance workload for the crew. Gerald R. Ford is the first aircraft carrier designed with all electric utilities, eliminating steam service lines from the ship, reducing maintenance requirements and improving corrosion control efforts. The new A1B reactor, Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) and Dual Band Radar (DBR) all offer enhanced capability with reduced manning requirements. The Gerald R. Ford class is designed to maximize the striking power of the embarked carrier air wing. The ship�s systems and configuration are optimized to maximize the sortie generation rate (SGR) of attached strike aircraft, resulting in a 25 percent increase in SGR over the Nimitz class. The ship�s configuration and electrical generating plant are designed to accommodate any foreseeable requirements during its 50- year service life. The Gerald R. Ford class builds upon the Navy�s legacy of aircraft carrier innovation stretching back to the first aircraft carrier, USS Langley (CV 1) and continuing to the present day. The introduction of jet aircraft, angled decks and nuclear power were all innovations that kept the fleet relevant for Cold War needs. Gerald R. Ford continues the aircraft carrier history of innovation and adapatability that will enable her to serve our country for decades to come.

Point Of Contact Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications Washington, D.C. 20376

General Characteristics, Nimitz class

Builder: Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, Va.

Date Deployed: May 3, 1975 (USS Nimitz).

Unit Cost: About $8.5 billion in constant year FY 12 dollars.

Propulsion: Two nuclear reactors, four shafts.

Length: 1,092 feet (332.8 meters).

Beam: 134 feet (40.8 meters); Flight Deck Width: 252 feet (76.8 meters).

Displacement: Approximately 97,000 tons (98,560 long tons) full load.

Speed: 30+ knots (34.5+ miles per hour).

Crew: Ship's Company: 3,000-3,200, air wing: 1,500, other: 500.

Armament: Multiple NATO Sea Sparrow, Phalanx CIWS, and Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) mounts.

Aircraft: Approximately 60+.

Ships:

USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Everett, WA.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Norfolk, VA.

USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), San Diego, Calif.

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Norfolk, VA.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Norfolk, VA.

USS George Washington (CVN 73), Yokosuka, Japan

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Bremerton, WA.

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Norfolk, VA.

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), San Diego, CA.

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Norfolk, VA.

General Characteristics, Enterprise class

Builder: Huntington INgalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, Va.

Date Deployed: November 25, 1961 (USS Enterprise).

Propulsion: Eight nuclear reactors, four shafts.

Length: 1,101 feet 2 inches (335.64 meters).

Beam: 133 feet (39.9 meters); 252 feet (75.6 meters).

Displacement: 89,600 tons (91,040 long tons) full load.

Speed: 30+ knots (34.5+ miles per hour).

Crew: Ship's Company: 3,350 - Air Wing 2,480.

Armament: Multiple NATO Sea Sparrow, Phalanx CIWS, and rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) mounts.

Aircraft: Approximately 60+.

Ships:

USS Enterprise (CVN 65), Norfolk, VA

General Characteristics, Gerald R. Ford class

Builder: Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va.

Propulsion: Two nuclear reactors, four shafts.

Length: 1,092 feet

Beam: 134 feet, Flight Deck Width: 256 feet.

Displacement: approximately 100,000 long tons full load.

Speed: 30+ knots (34.5+ miles per hour)

Crew: 4,539 (ship, air wing and staff).

Armament: Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, Rolling Airframe Missile, CIWS.

Aircraft: 75+.

Ships:

PCU Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)

PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79)

Last Update: 23 October 2012

F-14 Tomcat fighter, The US Navy -- Fact File

The US Navy -- Fact File: F-14 Tomcat fighter

In:  http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=1100&ct=1

Grumman F-14 Tomcat fighter

Description The F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, variable sweep wing, two-place strike fighter manufactured by Grumman Aircraft Corporation. The multiple tasks of navigation, target acquisition, electronic counter measures (ECM), and weapons employment are divided between the pilot and the radar intercept officer (RIO). Primary missions include precision strike against ground targets, air superiority, and fleet air defense.

Features As a Strike Fighter, the Tomcat is capable of deploying an assortment of air-to-ground ordnance (MK-80 series GP bombs, LGBs and JDAM) in various configurations, while simultaneously carrying the AIM-7, AIM-9 and AIM-54 air-to-air missiles. The F-14 also has the LANTIRN targeting system that allows delivery of various laser-guided bombs for precision strikes in air-to-ground combat missions and for battle damage assessment. With its Fast Tactical Imagery (FTI) system the F-14 can transmit and receive targeting/reconnaissance imagery in-flight to provide time sensitive strike capability. A number of F-14s also carry the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) providing in-theater tactical reconnaissance.

Background The F-14 has completed its decommissioning from the U.S. Navy. It was slated to remain in service through at least 2008, but all F-14A and F-14B airframes have already been retired, and the last two squadrons, the VF-31 Tomcatters and the VF-213 Black Lions, both flying the "D" models, arrived for their last fly-in at Naval Air Station Oceana on March 10, 2006. The F-14 Tomcat was officially retired on September 22, 2006 at Naval Air Station Oceana.

Point Of Contact Naval Air Systems Command PEO-T Public Affairs Officer 47123 Buse Road, Bldg 2272, Rm 454 Patuxent River, MD 20670-1547  (301) 481-6263

General Characteristics

Contractor: Northrop Grumman.

Date Deployed: First flight: December 1970.

Propulsion: F-14A: (2) TF30-414A Afterburning Turbofans with over 40,000 lb Total Thrust F-14B/D: (2) F110-GE400 Afterburning Turbofans with over 54,000 lb Total Thrust.

Length: 62 feet 9 inches (18.9 meters).

Height: 16 feet (4.8 meters).

Wingspan: 64 feet (19 meters) unswept; 38 feet (11.4 meters) swept.

Weight: 43,600 lb (19,777 kg) (F-14B).

Airspeed: Mach 2+.

Ceiling: 50,000+ feet.

Range: 1600 nautical miles.

Crew: Two (pilot and radar intercept officer).

Last Update: 17 February 2009

P-3 Team Protects the Fleet, One flight at a Time, US Navy Videos

US Navy Videos
 

P-3 Team Protects the Fleet, One flight at a Time

November 14, 2012

P-3 Team Protects the Fleet, One flight at a Time

USS Nimitz Completes Joint Training Phase

In: http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=70615

USS Nimitz Completes Joint Training Phase

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Story Number: NNS121113-15Release Date: 11/13/2012 8:53:00 PM

A  A  A     

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nichelle N. Whitfield, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11 and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 successfully completed Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) Nov. 12.

JTFEX is designed to test a strike group's ability to operate in hostile and complex environments with other U.S. and coalition forces.

The integrated exercise combines specific warfare areas with the purpose of making preparations for the strike group's upcoming deployment.

"Nimitz, CSG 11 and CVW 11 displayed enormous resilience and competence while being tested as an integrated force in the Joint Task Force Exercise," said Commander, CSG 11 Rear Adm. Pete Gumataotao. "I am confident with the integrated training we received we are now fully capable and combat ready to quickly respond to any maritime operation."

More than 8,000 Sailors worked together to hone their operational skills in preparation for their upcoming deployment. Upon completion of the exercise, U.S. 3rd Fleet Commander, Vice Adm. Gerald Beaman certified the CSG as "major combat operations ready" and ready to deploy. The Nimitz CSG is now postured and capable of supporting any of the Navy's maritime strategy missions prior to its deployment.

"I'm very proud of Warrior Team 11's performance during these past two months of integrated and joint training," said Gumataotao. "We are ready to support our Navy's mission anywhere, anytime."

The Nimitz CSG includes Commander, Carrier Strike Group 11, Carrier Air Wing 11 and Commander Destroyer Squadron 23. Ships assigned include: USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Princeton (CG 59), USS Shoup (DDG 86), USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), USS Preble (DDG 88) and USS Antietam (CG 54).

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Eastern Pacific from the West Coast of North America to the international date line and is responsible for providing realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy.

For more news from Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c3f/.

Ministry of Defence | Defence News | Training and Adventure | Royal Navy Lynx joins French frigate for counter-piracy ops

In: http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/TrainingAndAdventure/RoyalNavyLynxJoinsFrenchFrigateForCounterpiracyOps.htm

Royal Navy Lynx joins French frigate for counter-piracy ops

A Training and Adventure news article

14 Nov 12

The first Royal Navy Lynx helicopter to join a French frigate for a full counter-piracy deployment has arrived on board the ship in Toulon, on France's south coast.

The Royal Navy Lynx Mk8 helicopter from 217 Flight is guided in to land on the Marine nationale frigate FS Surcouf
[Picture: Second maître Sebastien Chenal, Marine nationale]

As part of the initiative for the UK and French Armed Forces to work more closely together, a Lynx Mk8 aircraft and 12 UK personnel from 217 Flight, based at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton, will deploy with the French frigate FS Surcouf as part of Operation ATALANTA, off the Horn of Africa.
Before the Surcouf deploys at the end of November, the detachment of Royal Navy personnel have started a four-week training period, which includes an exercise to assess the warship's operational capabilities.
Flight Commander Lieutenant Mike Curd said:

"To be given the opportunity to learn the language and then spend an entire deployment operating with the French Navy is fantastic, and my team is very excited, not only to be contributing to counter-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean, but also to be doing it in such unusual circumstances."

Lieutenant Mike Curd greets a French flight deck operator on board the FS Surcouf
[Picture: Second maître Sebastien Chenal, Marine nationale]

Lt Curd and helicopter pilot Lt Chris Southworth are part of a team comprising senior maintenance rating Chief Petty Officer Matthew Eccles and seven aircraft engineers, along with two Royal Marines snipers.
Their training for this deployment included a 15-week French language course earlier this year to prepare them for life on board the French vessel.
This deployment falls under the terms of the Anglo-French Treaty signed at the Lancaster House summit in November 2010 in which the UK and France agreed on military co-operation to assure their international commitments and strengthen their capabilities.

The Royal Navy Lynx Mk8 on the flight deck of the FS Surcouf
[Picture: Second maître Sebastien Chenal, Marine nationale]

Op ATALANTA is part of the European Union's ongoing naval effort to disrupt and deter piracy in a bid to reduce its impact on international trade and maritime security and on the economic activities and security of countries in the region.
The Commanding Officer of the FS Surcouf, Capitaine de Frigate Hughes Laine, said:

"I am very pleased to welcome 217 Flight to Surcouf and look forward to having the world-renowned capability of the Lynx Mk8 at my disposal for the deployment."

217 Flight will be away over Christmas and the New Year, returning to RNAS Yeovilton in March 2013.

Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA): New fleet of RFA tankers named

Equipment and Logistics

In:  http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/NewFleetOfRfaTankersNamed.htm

Defence

News Article

New fleet of RFA tankers named

An Equipment and Logistics news article

14 Nov 12

Four new Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) tankers, which will be bought as part of the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) programme, will be called the Tide Class.

Artist's impression of one of the new Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers carrying out a replenishment at sea with a Type 45 destroyer
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]

The 37,000-tonne ships will come into service from 2016 to replace the RFA's single-hulled tankers, and will maintain the Royal Navy's dedicated bulk fuel replenishment at sea capabilities.
The 200-metre long tankers will also be able to carry helicopters and will support Royal Navy warships deployed around the world.
Head of the RFA, Commodore Bill Walworth, said:

"I am delighted that the MARS fleet tankers will be called the Tide Class.
"The original Tides were the first purpose-built fleet tankers to support aircraft carriers and were highly successful and popular ships.
"The new Tides promise to be better still. A large number of people have worked hard to get us to this point, with the ships on contract and the first to be delivered into service in 2016.
"Tidespring, Tiderace, Tidesurge and Tideforce, which is a new name, will be superb ships that will reflect the successful past and a confident future for the RFA service."

The ships will be built by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering to a design provided by UK company BMT Defence Services.

The new Tide Class Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers will come into service from 2016
[Picture: Crown Copyright/MOD 2012]

In addition, UK companies will benefit from up to £150m of associated spending on key equipment, systems, design and support services, and on the customisation and trials package which will take place in the UK once the ships have been built.
The original Tide Class fleet tankers served in the RFA from 1954 until 1991, operating worldwide in support of numerous operations and exercises.
Developed using the lessons of the Pacific Campaign in the Second World War, these versatile ships were the first purpose-designed replenishment tankers for the RFA.
Carrying bulk fuels, oil and fresh water they replenished aircraft carriers and warships, both British and Allied, enabling task groups to remain at sea for extended periods:
• Tidespring - the original Tidespring was awarded a battle honour in 1982
• Tiderace - after service in the Suez Crisis, the Tiderace was renamed the Tideflow to avoid confusion with another ship name
• Tidesurge - originally launched as RFA Tiderange in 1954, she spent many of her early years east of Suez and served until 1976
• Tideforce - a new name in the RFA service.

Ministry of Defence | Defence News | Equipment and Logistics | Huge section of HMS Queen Elizabeth leaves shipyard

In:  http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/HugeSectionOfHmsQueenElizabethLeavesShipyard.htm

News Article

Huge section of HMS Queen Elizabeth leaves shipyard

An Equipment and Logistics news article

6 Nov 12

The largest section of future carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is now complete and on its way to join the rest of the ship.

The largest section of future carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth begins its journey to join the rest of the ship
[Picture: BAE Systems 2012]

This gigantic segment - officially known as Lower Block 04 and weighing 11,300 tonnes - was towed on a barge down the Clyde on Sunday to begin a 1,230-nautical-mile (2,278km) journey around the south of England to Rosyth.

Originally the shorter route around the north of Scotland had been planned. However, bad weather in the north of the UK forced reconsideration and the route was changed to around the south of England and up to Rosyth through the North Sea.
Employees at BAE Systems' Govan shipyard, where the section was pieced together, and members of the public watched as a large seagoing barge carrying the aft section of hull made its way along the Clyde, past new destroyer HMS Duncan in the final stages of completion at Scotstoun, and under the Erskine Bridge.
Travelling around the south coast of England, the block - the final section of the hull to be finished - is scheduled to arrive at Rosyth early next week where it will be joined to the rest of HMS Queen Elizabeth.

Lower Block 04 being transported on a large seagoing barge under the Erskine Bridge
[Picture: BAE Systems 2012]

Lower Block 04 is 86 metres long, 40 metres wide and 23 metres high and contains the carrier's two main engine rooms, the sick bay and quarters for some of the 1,500 sailors and air group personnel who will serve in her later this decade.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said:

"Our next generation of aircraft carriers is on track, with HMS Queen Elizabeth due to begin sea trials in 2017 and flight trials from her deck using our Lightning II fast jets in 2018. We are regenerating our carrier strike capability with the largest aircraft carriers Britain has ever had and fifth-generation stealth jets.

"Scotland has a world class shipbuilding industry that has benefited to the tune of around £1.3bn from the Queen Elizabeth Class carriers. More than 2,000 people work on the carriers at Rosyth, with a further 2,000 on the Clyde."

BAE Systems' Angus Holt, in charge of block delivery for the Queen Elizabeth Class, said:

"There's a real sense of pride here in the yard and across the Aircraft Carrier Alliance.
"This is the final hull section of HMS Queen Elizabeth and her arrival in Rosyth will mark an exciting and significant phase in the programme when we will really see the immense scale of the nation's flagships."

Employees at BAE Systems' Govan shipyard watch as the aft section of hull makes its way past new destroyer HMS Duncan in the final stages of completion at Scotstoun
[Picture: BAE Systems 2012]

The giant block was edged out of the firm's shipbuilding hall at Govan a fortnight ago and prepared for its journey by being firmly secured to the seagoing barge. The carrier team closely monitored weather forecasts to plan a smooth journey to the east coast.
On its arrival in the Firth of Forth, the block will be floated off the specialist barge and moved into position in dry dock, ready to join the other sections already in place.
Around 250 employees from the Clyde will follow the block to Rosyth where they will work in partnership with Babcock to complete the assembly phase.
Meanwhile, production on both Lower Blocks 03 and 04 of Queen Elizabeth's sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, continues to progress at Govan, while the aft island for the first ship is under construction at the company's Scotstoun yard.
Half-a-dozen yards around the UK are involved in the carrier project, with some 10,000 people directly or indirectly involved in building sections and parts or providing equipment for the Queen Elizabeth and the Prince of Wales.
With the Olympics now over, the construction of the aircraft carriers is the biggest and most complex engineering project in the UK.

US NAVY: Warfighting First – Expanding the Navigation Plan

Warfighting First – Expanding the Navigation Plan
 

By

sburns

– November 2, 2012Posted in: Inside the Navy, readiness, Sailing Directions, Sailors, ships, submarine, Surface, Undersea, Warfighting First

USS George Washington Completes Good Will Visit to Philippines. US Navy Videos

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