gemerson

Stand-by to stand-by. I'll be back a week from Monday! The amount of activity (and my pending lay-off from AMI International) is prompting me to get back in the saddle.

Cool video. I've always been impressed by the design of the Visby. Interesting SSM launch system. I had originally thought the missiles were stored in a VLS cell, instead of mounted in the sides with exhaust vents on the opposite face.

I once thought that the Big-V getting underway fro sea trials in the near future was sheer folly (knowing its modernization history). But like the Chinese Varyag modernization program, it may finally begin bearing fruit. Knowing the weather conditions of the North Sea, they would need to have a very successful round of sea trials very quickly to begin flight ops before the end of the year. The weather gets pretty nasty up that far north quickly - the best case situation. Of course the boat could slip moorings, have an engineering failure and just tie back up again - that's the worst case scenario. In any case this story will be worth watching.

Greetings Gang, In what scenario folder can "Dawn Patrol" be found? I want to enjoy a blast from the past.

I have a agree. Also, if you bought the HUCE package, the USNI scenarios in Libya are excellent teaching scenarios.

How many want to bet the pilot had to change his skivvies after that first attempt. Holy smokes!

Pakistan Today reports: Iran taking initial steps towards making nuclear submarine (http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/06/19/news/foreign/iran-taking-initial-steps-towards-making-nuclear-submarine/) Maybe those crazy Iranians were't joking after all. I think its still too soon to see. You be the judge. This ought to start some active conversation on ye olde forum!

It's summer (well almost officially). I'm going a break for a month or so. Hopefully, in that time I can craft the first couple BRICS scenarios and get them ready for posting, along with working in the yard and spending time with the family after work. NNSotD will be back, watch for it in August or September.

I thought everyone would get a good laugh out of this one - - - Link [CV32: Edited to add link - you must always add the link when quoting a source - and to remove the bulk of the article. We don't want to bring a copyright MIRV down on our own heads. Please take note for further reference.]

Mark, in many ways I agree with JMS. Although the global cauldron is a good common thread to use for campaign generation, this one is more implausible than some of your previous ideas. You've got too many clients for one "super power" to manage. The ChiComs are good, but their not THAT good. With this many banana republics with their fingers in the pie, Clancy's Law of Security applies - The chance of a secret being blown, is directly proportional to the SQUARE of the number of people in on it. Instead of looking for consensus on ideas, put your ideas into a couple of sceanrios and post them. Good or bad, the feedback will tell you.

From Naval Open Source Intelligence Blog (http://nosint.blogspot.com/2012/06/vietnam-to-buy-amur-diesel-submarines.html) Russia began to Vietnam to offer an upgraded version of the Kilo class submarines - Amur, this submarine is well suited for patrolling and fighting in the East Vietnam Sea. According to analysts, if Vietnam could buy a fleet of Amur submarines, submarine forces of Vietnam will truly become a powerful force in the region. Amur class submarines can also be equipped with missiles launched from submarines to attack ground targets, so it can fully protect all targets on the coast and the islands of the East Vietnam Sea South. Vietnam Navy can be a powerful force in the water in the South China Sea. (rmks: This is another indication there is a growing, submarine "arms race" going on in SE Asia. I think ChiCom naval planners reached for the Pepto Bismal bottle, this message traffic hit their desk)

Tuesday is upon us! Here is your global navy news to generate thought on interesting scenarios. Enjoy! Summary to follow ... 29 May INDIA – Source: NIPmail Vice Admiral Pradeep K Chatterjee takes over as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (DCNS) at the Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy) …the first ever submariner to hold this post. 30 May CHINA – Source: NIPmail Chinese navy training vessel ZHENGHE arrives at Taranto (Italy) for a scheduled five-day port visit … on round-the-world trip. 01 June CHINA – Source: NIPmail Aircraft carrier ex-VARAYG has completed 7th phase of sea trials. Still no word on any aircraft/helicopter operations. (rmks: Likely another family day cruise, as a ChiCom aircraft carrier possess absolutely no threat) PIRACY – Source: IMO update (No pirates were harmed in reporting this news) +++ Nigeria: Pirates attacked a Greek-owned oil tanker anchoring off Lagos but abandoned plans to hijack the ship when the crew locked itself up in a safe room and called for help. (rmks: Anybody else wonder why we have “anti-piracy patrols” when this type of stuff still goes on?) +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: Netherlands submarine DOLFIJN returns to Den Helder, ending a several-month deployment in support of NATO’s operation “Ocean Shield.” (rmks: and the pirates breath a sigh of relief … not!) RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail +++ During a ceremony at Kronshtadt (Baltic Sea), project 90600 tugs RB-20 and RB-27 formally joined the Russian navy … to be based at Lomonosov. +++ Yantar shipyard (Kaliningrad) has moved new research ship YANTAR (Project 22010) from building hall to slipway … preparing it for launch in August … delivery in 2013 … lead ship of new class. TURKEY – Source: NIPmail The Turkish navy has taken delivery of landing ship C155 … fifth in a series of eight. (rmks: Man, these guys are really cranking-out these things) USA – Source: NIPmail +++ Dock landing ship PONCE, refitted as MCM command ship and floating base for helicopters and patrol boats, sails from Norfolk for the Persian Gulf. +++ Pacific Partnership 2012: An opening ceremony held on board hospital ship MERCY ’in Manado (Indonesia) highlights the start of PP12 mission in Indonesia. 02 June AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail Patrol boat ARARAT intercepts boat with 87 suspected illegal migrants northwest of Christmas Island. CHINA – Source: NIPmail Hunagpu at Guangzhou has launched its first (overall second) Project 056 corvette … hull number/name reported (not yet visible) as 596 HUIZHOU … reportedly regarded as lead ship. Hull numbers for other boats said to be 597, 598, 599 … (rmks: More DB update fodder) PIRACY – Source: IMO update (No pirates were harmed in reporting this news) General: Mauritius has said it will receive and try suspected pirates captured by British forces patrolling the Indian Ocean under an agreement with the UK. (rmks: Read that – the cockroaches will be back on the street in no time, plying their trade) USA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) +++ SecDef Panetta reaffirms new strategic focus on Asia … by 2020, the Navy will re-posture its forces from today's roughly 50/50 per cent split between the Pacific and the Atlantic to about a 60/40 split between those oceans. +++ VIRGINIA class submarine MISSISSIPPI (SSN 782) commissioned during a ceremony in Pascagoula (Miss.) 03 June PHILIPPINES – Source: NIPmail Philippine navy and navy reserve start exercise “Pagsamama” … east of Mindanao (rmks: not in contested waters in the South China Sea) … focused on maritime security operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail +++ Black Sea Fleet ROPUCHA class landing ship sails from Sevastopol for Messina (Italy) to participate in ceremony remembering 1908-earthquake. +++ “Industry” official: BOREJ class submarines YURI DOLGORUKIY and ALEXANDER NEVSKIY to be commissioned “with Bulava” this year; third boat VLADIMIR MONOMAKH to be launched in 2013 (rmks: yeah, right); construction of three more boats begun. USA – SINGAPORE – Source: NIPmail Singapore has agreed “in-principle” to allow the US Navy basing up to four littoral combat ships on a rotational basis. 03 June USA (VIETNAM) – Source: NIPmail SecDef Panetta visits Cam Ranh Bay (Vietnam) … with T-AKE 4 RICHARD E. BYRD currently berthed there. Visit fuels speculations on possible US Navy plans to use Cam Ranh Bay in expanded Asia presence. 04 June AUSTRALIA – Source: NIPmail An investigation has uncovered evidence that some experienced people smugglers came to Australia by boat, won refugee status and were released from detention to cities across Australia … to set up lucrative people-smuggling deals from inside Australia. CANADA – Source: NIPmail The Royal Canadian Navy is exploring options for unmanned surface vehicles (USV) … “in the not-too-distant future” FRANCE – Source: NIPmail Aviso CDT L’ HERMINIER has taken over West African naval presence “Mission Corymbe” … arrives at Tema (Ghana) for 4-day stop. INDIA – Source: NIPmail TARKASH (F46), second of three Project 11356 TALWAR-mod class frigates built by Russian Yantar (Kaliningrad), has begun sea trials in the Eastern Baltic. NETHERLANDS – Source: NIPmail Frigate TROMP arrives at Willemstad (Caribbean) to take over duties as Caribbean Station Ship.

Mark, I like this a lot! One "opening salvo" would be for the NA contingent to sieze Gibraltar from the UK. a precursor in the plot would be for terrorist bombing to wrack Spain and Portugal and NATO is vacilating as to a response. Strong socialist governments in France and Italy would also not choose to act and could effectively split the NATO alliance. Angola was very pro-Russia/Cuba at this time and having Argentina swing commie would also open the door for Russia and Cuba into LA and additionally stretch the UKs resources. I hope you will do a version of these scenarios for HUCE. I look forward to fighting the AI.

Thankfully, hacks like Johnny Storm Cloud (aka Mike Petters) weren't around during WWII or wouldn't have the opportunity to have this conversation right now. Having a government that micro-manages the naval shipbuilding industry and panders to the unions results in, "three years to deliver a surface combatant ship, four years to deliver a large-deck amphibious ship and eight years to build an aircraft carrier." Yes, it does take bucks to have Buck Rogers, but not at the expense of our national security and where it takes billions of dollars in western nations to do that it takes millions to do (and in less time) in the Asia-Pacific region. Give me ships that can go into harm's way and fight the good fight, then bring their crews home safely upon completion of the mission. Not over-priced, tinker toys that can't do squat and have the same amount of protection as tissue paper.

Scenario TWO is definitely something that makes you go, "Hmmmm." No that's an interesting twist to things. Well first off, this is right in the middle of the Iran-Iraq War. Iraq was being supplied mainly by Russia (along withsome help from France). Republican Guard forces would likely have linked up with Russian units at the border and continued south into Kuwait and then Saudi Arabia. The GCC would have been ill-equipped to stop them and they would soon fall (or surrender before they are creamed). I foresee China (along with Pakistan) as being a tide turner for the west. China ties-up Russian PacFlt units as the US, friendly western powers and the Aussies begin formulating a strategy to retake the Gulf, using Diego Garcia as their staging area. Likely Russia would encourage Egypt to close the Suez (either thru bribes or threats). That means relief would have to come around the Cape of Good Hope and thru the Strait of Malacca. Mark, you have truly outdone yourself this time. I like this one! I give this one a 7 or 8, on a scale of 10 for the hypothetical reality scale. Bravo Zulu!

Sorry, I didn't get the stuff out on the Skrunda over the weekend. Its get's busy when you have two young children. Here are the stats, based on information for the class from Wikipedia.com: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skrunda_class_patrol_boat Builder: Abeking & Rasmussen Length: 25.7m (84.3ft) Beam: 13.5m (44.2) Draft: 2.7m (8.85ft) Displacement: 125-tons Size: Small Speed: 20-knots Sensors: Raytheon X-Band surface search radar and E/O )electro-optical sensor) Number in class: 5 Names: (P-05) Skrunda (P-06) Cesis (P-07) Viesite (P-08) Jelgava (P-09) Rezekne Weapons: MCM: 2 x 12.7mm machine guns and MANPAD surface-to-air missiles Patrol: 2 x 12mm mg and capable of mounting a remote-control, stabilized 20mm auto-cannon on the bow. This being my first time, let me know if you need anymore technical infor and I can dig it up.

That's one thing I REALLY like about this board. We can all have a civil discussion about a mutual interest and enjoyable passtime. I have to agree with your agruments. Maybe I was too hasty in saying the "Clash of the Titans" scenario is passee. I do enjoy them, myself and RSS is one of my favorite books. Although it would be interesting to game (I love a challenge), its a probable situation than others I've seen on this board and other venues.

Having served in the Navy during both Raegan terms, the storline is barely plausible (but as Brad has stated, this is Harpoon we're talking about and it is an engine for the hypothetical). I don't see President Raegan just sitting back and letting Germany (a major NATO ally at the time) be rolled-up like a cheap rug. If your using this storline as a script, you need to plan how the naval aspect of the storline reaches that conclusion. Reforger was a triad strategy - Naval sealift capability (which in the 80's the Russian could have contened with by flowing the atlantic with submarines), an air bridge of heavylift transports (which I don't think the Soviets would be able to contend with) and the US forces on the ground in Germany and in Europe. Personally, I don't think they would say, "We quit." Unless the red push was on the scale of a blitzkreg (which the Russians weren't known for), I think your 30-day window would be more like 45-days. Sealift support may breakdown due to the naval campaign, but the air bridge would remain intact - -even with a negotiated French peace. Capacity would still enter the continent thru Spain and Italy and rushed to front. Not to be critical, but the WWIII scenario aspect of Harpoon is becoming passe. Working in the industry I am more interested in how regional contests would playout, involving lesser known actors, with the US, Russia and the bigger fleets sprinkled in as a spice, not the entree of the meal. On a 1 to 10 scale, I give this one about a 4.

Next time, don't hold back. Tell what you really think. BTW, excellent commentary!

Is everyon ready for weekend liberty??? Here's your daily NNSotD. See y'all on Monday. Summary to follow ... 29 May INDIA – Source: NIPmail Destroyer RANA and frigate SHIVALIK arrive at Busan (South Korea) for a visit and subsequent (02 Jun) short exercise with the ROK Navy … on two-month Asian goodwill tour … next stop Japan. (rmks: Something for the ‘And Now For Something Completely Different’ file. Who’da thunk?) 31 May AUSTRALIA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) Frigate BALLARAT arrives in Kure (Japan) … final stop in Asian deployment … will conduct bilateral exercise “Nichi Gou Trident 2012” from 4–6 Jun … with Japanese destroyer SHIMAKAZE, a Japanese submarine, and an Australian P3-C Orion. FRANCE – Source: NIPmail Helicopter carrier TONNERRE returns to Toulon, ending a three-month deployment to West Africa, for Operation “Corymbe.” INDIA¬ – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) Vice Admiral Satish Soni takes over as Commander Southern Naval Command in Kochi. (rmks: First Indian bubblehead, in that posting) NIGERIA – Source: NIPmail President Goodluck Jonathan personally commissioned first indigenously-built patrol boat into the Nigerian navy … 31m Seaward Defence Boat named ANDONI … construction started in Dec 2007, but had been temporarily suspended due to lack of funds. (rmks: Better later than never) PHILIPPINES – Source: NIPmail Commander Philippine fleet: need more larger warships to enhance capabilities for effectively protecting sea borders and economic zones. (rmks: They have some pretty big hopes, dreams and aspirations) PIRACY – Source: IMO update Anti-Piracy Forces: Turkish frigate GEMLIK sails from Aksaz for the Gulf of Aden … six-month deployment in support of multinational CTF-151 … Turkish navy to take command of CTF-151 from Sep - Dec. (rmks: The cockroaches (excuse me pirates) quake in fear … not. As usual, no pirates were injured reporting this story) POLAND (multinational) – Source: NIPmail Annual exercise “Baltops” kicks off In Gdynia … until 16 Jun … over 20 surface ships and some 20 aircraft from NATO and PfP navies (incl. Russian Baltic Fleet landing ship KALININGRAD) … variety of training missions, including anti-submarine warfare, sea rescue and counter-terrorism. RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail Black Sea Fleet destroyer SMETLIVIY and tanker IMAN have completed Mediterranean deployment (patrols off Syria) and returned to home port Sevastopol. SOMALIA – Source: NIPmail Update: Kenyan navy spokesman confirms that warships which on 29 May had fired at al-Shabaab positions near Kismayo were Kenyan navy vessels … not EU NavFor / NATO as al-Shabaab had claimed. (rmks: Six of one, a half dozen of another. Its obviously a slow news day in the SSA region) UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail +++ Update: Besides mine hunter HMS ATHERSTONE (from Portsmouth), also mine hunter HMS SHOREHAM has sailed (from Clyde), for a three-year deployment to the Gulf region with an estimated six-week transit time. (rmks: This is more than an effort to temporarily beef-up regional MCM capabilities. Three-years is lengthy commitment) +++ New QUEEN ELIZABETH class aircraft carriers will require special coating of flight deck to protect against F-35B engine heat. (rmks: More cost overruns. Don’t ya’ just love procurements) USA – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) +++ After conducting a “special trial” for LCS-1 FREEDOM, the Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) has found the ship “fit for service and on an appropriate readiness glide slope" … some deficiencies remain but are fixable and would not prevent her from deployment next spring. +++ The US Navy awards Huntington Ingalls a $2.38 billion contract for the design and construction of the multipurpose amphibious assault ship TRIPOLI (LHA-7). (rmks: Second ship of the new LHA-6 AMERICA class. Praise God, it will have a well deck) +++ A T-45C navy training jet crashed on remote South Texas ranchland … both occupants ejected safely. 01 June USA Frigate CURTS sails from San Diego for her final deployment … spend six-months in 4th Fleet area (anti-drugs operation) … scheduled for decommissioning in 2013.

I'll do it tonight after work!

Greetings, I haven't seen the SKRUNDA (Abking & Rasmussen (AR) SWATH) PB for Latvia, in the HUCE DB? Two of four units of six units have been delivered as of 2012. Although its ligth;y armed with heavy mg's and MANPAD SAMs, the Baltics will be using it for minelaying, MCMV and surveillance (as a mothership for USVs and UUVs). Let me know what specs you need for the DB and I can provide them.

Would that be in the Wish List area of the Forum?

Ah, another Thursday is upon us. Som good news items out there today. Enjoy the NNSotD! Summary to follow ... 25 May USA (PERU) – Source: Naval Today (www.navaltoday.com) Southern Seas 2012: At Callao (Peru) frigate UNDERWOOD completes exercise “UNITAS Pacific” (with warships from Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru) … immediately afterwards opening ceremony for bilateral three-day “Silent Forces Exercise 2012” … focus on US and Peruvian surface and air asset training with the Peruvian submarine fleet. 30 May CHINA – Source: NIPmail Taiwanese media report on development / begun construction of Project 081 helicopter carrier (LHD) … claim 22,000ts (211m) ship “inspired by French MISTRAL class” … flight deck holding eight helicopters; LCAC in well deck … could be launched as early as 2014. (rmks: It looks like the ChiComs are moving forward with a program that dates back to 2007. The concept appears similar to the US Navy LHD with an island that bears a close resemblance to that of the Varyag) FRANCE – Source: NIPmail Aircraft carrier CHARLES DE GAULLE and ships of her carrier strike group (FORBIN. MONTCALM, JEAN BART, SURCOUF, COURBET, MEUSE) sail from Toulon for six-week operational training period PEAN 12.1 … with visits com exercises (with local armed forces) to Cartagena (Spain) and Rabat (Morocco) … when back in the Mediterranean will join the US Navy’s EISENHOWER Carrier Strike Group for further exercises. MALTA – Source: NIPmail 65 irregular migrants (most from Eritrea) rescued, as they were taking in water on board the rubber dinghy they were travelling on … located by Italian coast guard vessel SAETTIA some 74nm south of Malta, then picked up by Maltese patrol boat. PIRACY – Source: IMO update +++ General: Due to the arrival of the South-West monsoon between May and September, sea conditions in the region are expected to become generally unfavorable for small boats such as skiffs. (rmks: However, the cockroaches (excuse me the pirates) will likely continue to operate closer to shore and at the anchorages where security remains woefully inadequate) +++ India: An Indian court granted bail to two Italian marines accused of fatally shooting two Indian fishermen they mistook for pirates. RUSSIA – Source: NIPmail +++ Selected air units of the Western military district will return to abandoned Arctic airfields on Novaya Zemlya and in Naryan-Mar … extensively used in the Soviet era, but after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 generally mothballed. (rmks: This helps to illustrate the importance of the Arctic region in the coming years) +++ Severnaya shipyard (St. Petersburg) floated out fourth Project 20380 (STEREGUSHCHIY class) corvette STOYKIY … expected to join the Baltic Fleet in Nov 2013. (rmks: Mozeltov! Another HUCE DB add) +++ President Putin has tasked the MoD with developing a new “Plan for the Development of the Armed Forces” … by Dec 2016. (rmks: As usual the vodka version will be the most interesting one to read) UNITED KINGDOM – Source: NIPmail +++ Support ship FORT ROSALIE has docked in Havana (Cuba) … mark the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Havana. +++ Portsmouth-based mine hunter ATHERSTONE sails for a three-year deployment to the Gulf region. USA - Source: NIPmail Third Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV-3) will be named MILLINOCKET. (rmks: Named for a small hamlet in the state of Maine and has absolutely nothing to do with hand-held weaponry the other members of the class were named for)

Greetings, Is the SKRUNDA (AR SWATH) PB for Latvia, part of the HUCE DB? Two of four units have been delivered as of 2012 and I was wanting to utilize it, in a planned scenario in my BRICS campaign. If you need details on the class, let me know and I can provide them.