Tank Crossing in the snow

Pics of Tank Crossing int the Salisbury Plain Military Lands, England early December 2010... The UK was experiencing its first taste of winter, snow, fog, etc., but it didn't stop us driving from the Capital of Europe to Somerset where the weather was unbelievably spring-like!

Crossposted from hillblogger3
Photos by Hillstation1

SI VIS PACEM PARA BELLUM -- USS GEORGE WASHINGTON OFF KOREA PENINSULA COAST

America deploys USS GEORGE WASHINGTON! Today, no better dogma illustrates America's determination to maintain peace in the Korea Peninsula region... 

 

Photo (above) credit: MaritimeQuest.Com

Photos by hillblogger3

Naval mercenaries

An international private navy (naval mercenaries by another name)? What next? An international private army? And before you know it, there will be regional wars pitting private armed forces... 

A Somali, part armed militia, part pirate, carries his high-caliber weapon on a beach in the central Somali town of Hobyo GETTY

From The Independent: Insurance firms plan private navy to take on Somali pirates

Patrol boats crewed by armed guards to protect valuable ships in Gulf of Aden

Insurers have drawn up plans for the world’s first private navy to try to turn the tide against Somali pirates who continue to plague the global shipping industry by hijacking vessels for ransoms of more than £100m a year, The Independent has learnt.

The new navy, which has the agreement in principle of several shipping groups and is being considered by the British Government, is the latest attempt to counter the increasingly sophisticated and aggressive piracy gangs who operate up to 1,200 miles from their bases in the Horn of Africa and are about to launch a new wave of seaborne attacks following the monsoon season.

A multi-national naval force, including an EU fleet currently commanded by a British officer, has dramatically reduced the number of assaults in the Gulf of Aden in recent months. But seizures continue with 16 ships and 354 sailors currently being held hostage. The Independent has seen Nato documents which show both ransom payments and the period that pirates are holding vessels have doubled in the last 12 months to an average $4m and 117 days respectively.

In response, a leading London insurer is pushing ahead with radical proposals to create a private fleet of about 20 patrol boats crewed by armed guards to bolster the international military presence off the Somali coast. They would act as escorts and fast-response vessels for shipping passing through the Suez Canal and the Indian Ocean.

Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group (JLT), which insures 14 per cent of the world’s commercial shipping fleet, said the unprecedented “private navy” would work under the direct control of the military with clear rules of engagement valid under international law. Early discussions have also been held with the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Transport and the Foreign Office.

The revelation comes as a coalition of shipping organisations and seafarers’ unions today call for governments to dedicate greater resources towards tackling piracy off Somalia.

Sean Woollerson, a senior partner with JLT, told The Independent: “We are looking at setting up a private navy to escort vessels through the danger zones. We would have armed personnel with fast boats escorting ships and make it very clear to any Somali vessels in the vicinity that they are entering a protected area.

“At the moment there is a disconnect between the private security sector and the international naval force. We think we can help remedy that and place this force under the control of the multi-national force. We look after about 5,000 ships and have had 10 vessels taken in total, including a seizure where one crew member was shot and killed. Piracy is a serious problem, these are criminals basically extorting funds, so why not do something more proactive?”

The force, which would have set-up costs of around £10m, would be funded by insurers and shipping companies in return for a reduction on the anti-piracy insurance premiums, which average around £50,000 per voyage and can reach £300,000 for a super-tanker. The maritime insurance industry, much of it based in London, has borne the brunt of the financial cost of the piracy problem, paying out $300m (£191m) in ransoms and associated costs in the last two years alone.

More here.

France and UK joining nuclear submarine forces is the right way to go

France offers to join forces with UK's nuclear submarine fleet (The Guardian)

Officials from both countries have discussed how a deterrence-sharing scheme might work but Britain has so far opposed the idea on the grounds that such pooling of sovereignty would be politically unacceptable.


In a speech this morning in London, Gordon Brown said he had agreed to further nuclear co-operation with France last week after talks with Nicolas Sarkozy. The prime minister did not comment explicitly about submarines, saying only that the UK and France would both retain "our independent nuclear deterrent".


Britain and France each maintain "continuous at-sea deterrence", which involves running at least one nuclear-armed submarine submerged and undetected at any given time. It is a hugely expensive undertaking, and its usefulness in a post-cold war world has long been questioned by disarmament campaigners. To read more, here

Firstly, it is becoming more and more apparent that we need cooperation to be able to afford defence capabilities. Weapon systems are becoming more and more expensive and the nuclear deterrent is a good example. One can see the time when these systems will be unaffordable for countries with a population of only 60 million or 70 million. It will be the China, USA-sized countries that will have the wealth to own these systems. For the UK and France it will become cooperate and coordinate or lose the capability.

Secondly, the UK currently has a choice of two realistic partners. France is the European nation that has a similar vision to their role in the world and the need for a global defence reach. Other European countries essentially consider defence as a home defence problem – even Germany falls into this category. The USA could be the other partner of choice, but has different priorities and needs, especially the need to manage the Pacific front; although this might sound a naval problem it is actually more concerned with China, Japan and Korea and is essentially a land issue. For me the only sensible choice is France where the UK could be seen as equal partners – with the USA for a partner, the UK would clearly be at a secondary level.

The potential to combine programmes with France is enormous: The deterrent, Naval air assets (including the carrier), Minewarfare (we share the Channel), Surveillance (radar and optronic industries are already deeply interwoven), C2 (Command and Control (already interoperable through NATO). Perhaps the biggest blocks are the next generation aircraft: JSF versus Rafale and I wonder why the UK wants to spend so much on an aircraft for which there is no actual threat.

Our reliance on the USA is also well based due to shared intelligence assets – both ground based listening and space based surveillance. In fact, this is a real weakness for the UK as we have no assets of our own and rely 100% on the USA (and I wonder whether Tony Blair might have made a different decision over Iraq if he had had his own intelligence sources).

As another aside it is notable that Germany had to rely on the USA for intelligence in the Balkan conflict of the 1990s and immediately launched their own space based intelligence programme – SAR LUPE.

The debate is well underway and here I have mentioned only a few of points – there are many more. Interestingly, France has realised this problem for some time. The UK is still trying to come to terms with the idea. A couple of years ago France requested the UK to participate; today they are rather more intransigent as they see that the UK will have to cooperate or lose capability. Frankly the UK is in danger of missing the boat.

France and UK joining nuclear submarine forces is the right way to go.

Revisiting my Alma Mater: Brittania Royal Naval College

Re-visiting Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, England during a college reunion...

Pictures by Hilstation 1

A better picture of the College here.

US Navy to allow women sailors to serve on subs

Seems US submarines will be in for a great overhaul, particulary on the privy front. Women sailors are expected to join sub crews as early as next year.

From The Navy Times

MCSN Joshua Martin / Navy Female Naval Academy and NROTC midshipmen have spent time aboard submarines, getting a taste of undersea life. Women commissioned after graduation in 2010 could be among the first assigned to subs.

Pentagon announces end of ban on women on subs

By Philip Ewing - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Feb 23, 2010 19:14:07 EST

The Pentagon on Monday notified Congress that women will be able to join submarine crews within 30 legislative working days, making good on the wishes of top Navy commanders announced last fall.

As required by law, Defense Secretary Robert Gates sent a letter to legislative leaders announcing the Navy’s plan to lift its ban on female submariners, giving the House and Senate time to absorb the decision and, if members want, to take action. Congress can pass a law forbidding integration, requiring the Navy to wait or perform a study. If it does nothing, as expected, the ban will expire around the end of April.

Technically, the Defense Department needs to give Congress time to absorb the policy change before it can spend money to accommodate women, Gates wrote, according to a copy of his letter obtained by Navy Times.

“The Department of the Navy recently concluded a further review of this matter and has determined it is ready to implement policy changes to support a phased approach to the assignment of women to submarines. No funds to reconfigure submarines to accommodate female crew members will be expended until the Department of the Navy provides its plan to the Department of Defense and Congress. The Department of the Navy stands ready to present the phased approach plan to Congress.”

1st women

According to the Navy’s initial plans last year, the first women on submarines will likely be nuclear-qualified supply and surface lieutenants already in the fleet, who will join the crews of Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines by late 2011.

Related news: • Female sailors could join sub crews by 2011
Source link: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/02/navy_women_subs_022310w/

Reminds me of the time [1996] when a friend of mine who was flag officer in command of a navy in the Far East had the task of modernising the country's navy that included deploying women sailors to serve and fight alongside their male colleagues. Until then, women working in the navy held staff position on land but the nation's laws called for reorganising and modernising the navy by including women sailors onboard, i.e., to do naval combat duties.

Well, he didn't quite like the idea of refurbishing his ships to include women WCs (that was his initial reaction.) But the law compelled him to do something. He simplified the re-organising by setting up an all-female ship crew, under a female officer but limited them to working under support and logistics command.

When I asked him, why so? Why not allow women to serve on ship alongside their male colleagues. Either that or let the all-female ship fight alongside the all-male ships? He sheepishly said, "They want to deploy? Well, I'm deploying them. They have their ship now, they should be happy!" Actually, he told me later on that that he wanted to limit the risk of promiscuity. His ships after all weren't aircraft carriers.

I wasn't actually gobsmacked. My friend was one of those old school navy men who was educated in the US navy when navy men deployed to fight and women remained behind on dry land. But in the end it worked. well Twelve years on, and still doing support and logistics tasks, the all female crew ship has consistently boasted of possessing great navy work record and often better than their all-male counterpart doing the same job.

Subs are quite a different "kettle of fish." Inevitably, to limit potential "promiscuity" problems, eg., "hot bunking," bathrooms, etc., female and male quarters need to be built. The US Navy has a lot of money and can do required refurbishments on subs to accomodate women sailors. Except that subs are much constrained by space -- does that mean that US Navy will now design new subs to suit this new requirement?

From hereon, be prepared to hear the following order: ALL MANICURED HANDS MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS!

Crossposted in hillblogger3.

Northrop Grumman delivers New Mexico

Came across this submarine news which I'm cross-posting from an unusual source: ALGERIE DEFENSE

Northrop Grumman Delivers New Mexico Submarine Ahead of Schedule in Record Time

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Dec. 29, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) delivered the sixth submarine of the Virginia class, New Mexico (SSN 779), to the U.S. Navy today, four months ahead of schedule. New Mexico’s 70-month construction period represents the shortest overall construction time of any Virginia-class submarine.

« New Mexico’s delivery is a reflection of the commitment, dedication and hard work of the shipbuilders at Newport News, our Electric Boat partners and the Navy, » said Becky Stewart, vice president for Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding’s submarine program. « We delivered her in record time, using one million fewer man-hours than her predecessor USS North Carolina (SSN 777). Our shipbuilders are focused on meeting safety, quality, cost and schedule commitments. The progress we’ve made in the Virginia-class submarine program demonstrates their personal ownership in building the finest submarines in the world. »

The keel for New Mexico was authenticated April 12, 2008, and the ship was christened on Dec. 13, 2008. New Mexico, named for « The Land of Enchantment, » is the most modern and sophisticated attack submarine in the world, providing undersea supremacy well into the 21st century.

Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build the first 18 ships of the Virginia class. Current plans call for 30 Virginia-class submarines in the fleet. Using millions of parts from over 4,000 suppliers in 47 states and the District of Columbia, Virginia-class submarines incorporate dozens of new technologies and innovations and are the first major combatants designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind.

For more information about the New Mexico, please visit http://www.sb.northropgrumman.com/vcs/.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.

CONTACT: Jennifer Dellapenta
Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding
(757) 380-3558
Jennifer.Dellapenta@ngc.com

A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://media.globenewswire.com/noc/mediagallery.html?pkgid=6948

To view video of commissioning of USS NEW MEXICO, click here.

May Day! May Day! What are you zinking...?

Leonardo Da Vinci, William Bourne and Cornelius Van Drebbel

Some good read...

A very European venture: Invention of the submarine

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) made sketches of a submarine and William Bourne, a British mathematician, drew plans for a submarine in 1578. But it was only in 1620 that Cornelius van Drebbel, a Dutch inventor, managed to build a submarine. He wrapped a wooden rowboat tightly in waterproofed leather and had air tubes with floats to the surface to provide oxygen. Of course, there were no engines yet, so the oars went through the hull at leather gaskets. He took the first trip with 12 oarsmen in the Thames River – staying submerged for 3 hours.

About Leonardo da Vinci:

Hydraulics

da Vinci's extensive work in the study of hydraulics was focused on the canals of the Arno and Lombardy regions. It is suggested that he probably invented the hydrometer, a device widely used to measure the gravity or density of a liquid.

How New Jersey Saved Civilization: the first modern submarine

By Vicki Hyman/The Star-Ledger

February 08, 2010, 12:48AM

The long journey in the development of the submarine, from Leonardo da Vinci’s 16th-century sketches to the first modern vessel commissioned by the U.S. Navy 300 years later, is checkered with international intrigue, spectacular failures and mishaps that would be laughable had they not on occasion been fatal.

The first rudimentary submarine — a wooden rowboat wrapped in waterproof leather with air tubes leading to the surface — managed to stay submerged in the River Thames for three hours in 1620.

During the Revolutionary War, an American built a one-man model called the Turtle, which was to attach charges of gunpowder to the hulls of British ships. On its maiden voyage, it was towed out to sea, but the tide swept it past the warship.

History of the British Nuclear Arsenal

Britain's Nuclear Weapons

History of the British Nuclear Arsenal

[...]

Polaris Warhead

There is some confusion about whether there were really two Polaris warheads (that is, "physics packages") or only one. The initial deployment of the three warhead A3T Polaris SLBM was accompanied by the production and deployment of a British-produced warhead, apparently a version of the American W-58 200 kt warhead deployed on the U.S. Polaris A3. Later an update of the Polaris missile force, known as the Chevaline program, was carried out with the modified missiles being re-designated the A3TK. This update included a new bus (upper stage), new RVs, and a sophisticated penetration aid (decoy) package. It is not completely clear whether the existing Polaris warheads were simply repackaged, or whether a completely new model was introduced. Due to Britain's limited weapons development and production capacity it seems likely that the warheads used to equip Chevaline, were based on the preexisting Polaris warheads.

Immediately after the 10 June 1963 decision by the British Admiralty to acquire the next-generation A3T Polaris SLBM (in preference to the A2 version then deployed by the U.S., Aldermaston began full-scale developmental work on the Polaris warhead. The design is said to be completed in the spring of 1966, with production beginning in 1966 or 1967. The "developmental" and "design" work associated with this warhead presumably involved adapting the already proof-tested American W-58 warhead to manufacture in a British plant. The warheads were deployed in Mk-2 RVs purchased from the U.S.

352x261, 20 K

HMS Resolution

The Polaris A3 was the first multiple warhead missile, equipped with three MRVs (multiple re-entry vehicles). The MRVs were dispersed around a central aiming point, they were not independently targeted. Four Polaris subs of the Resolution class were deployed, each with 16 missiles. It is believed that only 144 warheads (plus possibly some spares) were manufactured, enough to equip three subs at a time. The fourth boat was in port for maintenance and refitting at any given time.

Two mid-life update programs were instituted for the Polaris missile.

[...]

More here:

SEA YOUR HISTORY

Polaris firing

Resolution was also the first British submarine to fire a Polaris missile. This took place during a trial off Cape Kennedy in Florida on 15th February 1968. Chief Executive Hugh Mackenzie noted when the Polaris project launched that the first missile from a British submarine would fire at 11.15 Eastern Standard Time on 15th February 1968. Resolution was indeed ready by that date to fire the missile at the US Air Force Eastern Test Range. She only failed to meet the designated firing time by 15 milliseconds.

Missile compartment onboard HMS Resolution (RNSM)

Polaris patrol

The submarine's first Polaris patrol commenced in June 1968.

On going out on a patrol, a hunter/killer submarine or helicopter initially escorted the submarine in case she was being trailed by Soviet submarines. Once Resolution reached the open sea, she dived and headed for a secret patrol location known only by a handful of senior officers and the Prime Minister. The submarine could receive signals broadcast from its base in ultra low frequency waves using an aerial towed behind the boat.

Control room of HMS Resolution, 1976 (RNSM)

Resolution was fitted with a PWR1 nuclear reactor, which enabled the submarine to achieve a speed of 25 knots while submerged. However, since stealth was Resolution's prime consideration whilst on patrol, she was more likely to travel quietly at just a few knots as this created less disturbance below the waves.

Sources:

History of the British Nuclear Arsenal

Britain's Nuclear Weapons

Old picture records HMS Resolution

U.K. RESOLUTION Class Submarine - Polaris - The British Strategic Systems Programs

POLARIS

United States (U.S.) assistance and support to the United Kingdom’s (U.K.) strategic systems programs are covered by the POLARIS Sales Agreement, which was a direct result of the now-historic meeting at Nassau in December 1962 between President Kennedy and Prime Minister MacMillan. SSP has additional responsibilities related to the British Strategic Systems Programs.

Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, the U.S. sold POLARIS missiles (less warheads) to the U.K. In addition to the missiles, the subsystems that make up the weapon system were also sold. The British built their own nuclearpowered submarines to house the weapon system and provided their own warheads.

HMS RESOLUTION (Pingbosun: Nuclear Submarisnes of Today)


22nd May 1970: Crewmen at the controls of the HMS Resolution, a British nuclear submarine. (Photo by Wood/Express/Getty Images)

22nd May 1970: Members of the crew on the nuclear submarine HMS Resolution, looking at pictures of nude women whilst relaxing on their bunkbeds. (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images)

23rd May 1970: Six Sea Cadets stand atop the Polaris submarine HMS Resolution while it docks in Portsmouth harbour. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)

http://www.shima.demon.co.uk/rboat.htm