gemerson

Heres my take of the Chi-coms system: 1. An untried missile. 2. An untried OTH OSR. 3. Experimental UAVs. The navy shouldn't blow off the threat, that would be sheer folly. However, for the system to be truly accurate they need a GPS for course correction and as far as I know, the Chi-coms don't have a domestic solution. GPS tech is not a restricted item, the problem comes in inteigrating a western GPS into their missile. They would need an open architecture bridge, which as far as I know they haven't been able to obtain - yet. FWFS, Greg

Me thinks they will attempt to reverse-engineer many of the systems to work the bugs out of the Arihant SSBN. What are the thoughts of the forum? FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

So begins another week. Hope yours is statting well. Here's what happened while life was occuring over the weekend - Enjoy! FWFS, Greg Summar to follow ... 20 January AUSTRALIA Conservative opposition demands government order boats with asylum seekers to be turned back when intercepted at sea. Navy fears that such a move could prompt the crews to deliberately incapacitate their boats (even set them afire), so people on board have to be rescued as “shipwrecked” under international law. Source: IMO Update. DENMARK Helicopters AW159 Wildcat and MH60R Seahawk short listed as possible replacement for ageing Lynx … contract negotiations with both supplying companies … first new ship-based helicopters expected to be delivered in 2015. Source: NIPmail. INDIA During a ceremony at Visakhapatnam the Indian Coast Guard commissioned the RANI ABBAKKA (rmks: associated photo shows hull number 77) , the first of five new 50-m Ship Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV) built at Hindustan Shipyard. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Somalia Basin: After three days of persistent pressure, German frigate LUEBECK has forced Somali pirates to release an Indian dhow with 15 Indian mariners held as hostages … dhow was intercepted on 17 Jan after attacking Netherlands merchant vessel FLINTSTONE … repeatedly fired shots across the bow … helicopter destroyed skiffs stored on upper deck … dhow finally rendezvoused with ENRICO IEVOLI (hijacked on 27 Dec) sent out from the Somalia coast to meet them at sea … pirates transferred (rmks: no intervention due to hostage situation), thus releasing the Indian dhow and its crew. ENRICO IEVOLI returning to Somalia, being closely shadowed. Source: IMO Update. RUSSIA The Northern Fleet has reorganized all its rescue and salvage assets (incl. manned and unmanned DSRV) in a new Search & Rescue Squadron (UPASR). Source: NIPmail. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Italian Fincantieri shipyard at Muggiano launched the first of two FALAJ-2 patrol boats ordered by the UAE navy. Source: NIPmail. USA Both Littoral Combat Ship variants experienced major disruptions and delays in testing and evaluation during the past year due to failures across a range of systems … among other difficulties, LCS-1 FREEDOM had developed a crack in the underwater hull … LCS-2 INDEPENDENCE experienced failures in its anti-mine systems as well as lift platform failures, propulsion problems and hull corrosion. Source: NIPmail. USA Change of command at the Pacific Fleet with Adm. Cecil D. Haney taking over from Adm. Patrick Walsh during a ceremony at Pearl Harbor … Adm. Walsh retired after 34 years. Source: NIPmail. USA SecDef Panetta has lifted the „probation“ status (issued by his predecessor Gates) of the USMC F-35B STOVL variant of the Lightning-II Joint Strike Fighter … aircraft “absolutely vital to maintaining our air superiority”. Source: NIPmail. 21 January IRAN – USA In stark contrast to a warning by an Iranian army chief earlier this month, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard deputy commander said that the return of a US warship to the Gulf was “a routine matter”. Source: NIPmail. SYRIA A Syrian navy patrol boat reported to have briefly crossed the sea border with Lebanon near Arida and at gun point (fired warning shots) abducted three Lebanese fishermen. (rmks: incident may signal increasing nervousness, however, it is not the first of its kind. Already in August last year, the Syrian navy fired at two Lebanese vessels fishing in Lebanese territorial waters). Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM BAe Systems “reviewing” warship business … reportedly deliberating whether to close Portsmouth dockyard … decision likely within three months. Source: NIPmail. USA SecDef Panetta: despite budget pressures, the US Navy will retain 11 aircraft carriers. Source: NIPmail. YEMEN During 2011, a record 103,000 refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants risked the perilous journey across the Gulf of Aden or the Red Sea from Africa to Yemen … almost 100 per cent increase from 53,000 people in 2010 … during 2011, more than 130 are known to have drowned. Source: NIPmail. 22 January FRANCE First FREMM frigate, AQUITAINE, on schedule for delivery in second half of this year. Decommissioning of destroyer DE GRASSE reportedly to be deferred until end 2013. Source: NIPmail. USA (IRAN) In a “routine move”, ships of the ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group, together with British frigate ARGYLL and a French navy ship, pass the Strait of Hormuz into the Persian Gulf … without incident. (rmks: well, the recent Iranian warning anyway had specifically been for the JOHN C STENNIS to not return into the Gulf … which it didn’t …). Source: NIPmail. 23 January INDIA (RUSSIA) During a ceremony at the Bolshoi Kamen naval base (near Vladivostok), the Russian navy officially hands over AKULA class submarine K-152 NERPA to the Indian navy … the renamed CHAKRA now flying the Indian flag. Source: NIPmail. RUSSIA Pacific Fleet former 6th anti-piracy task group, with destroyer ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV, ends port visit to Surabaya, Indonesian, with a short “Passex” (communications, basic seamanship) with Indonesian navy … continues homebound. Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 23 frigate WESTMINSTER sails from Portsmouth on a seven-month deployment “east of Suez” … to relieve sister ship SOMERSET … join anti-terror operation “Enduring Freedom” but also conduct anti-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa. Source: IMO Update. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS USA (Feb) Decommissioning ceremony for LOS ANGELES class submarine MEMPHIS scheduled for February. SPAIN (March) Fifth TYPE F-100 frigate (F-105 CRISTOBAL COLON) set to start first sea trials in March. RUSSIA (Jun) USC spokesman on 20 Jan: First BOREY class submarine YURI DOLGORUKIY to enter service in second quarter 2012 (rmks: by June, now that Bulava testing is completed.).

In some ways I feel the DF-21 is more of a ghost or decoy - much like the balloon army Patton was assigned to command in the days before D-Day and the fake cannons constructed by the Confederate Army outside of Yorktown, during the Civil War. It sure looks impressive, but there's nothing to it. Until an operational test is ever conducted (which isn't likely to happen soon), the system will be more "wow" than now. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW)USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

I'm back in the 21st century - the electricity just came back on! Here is today's NNSotD. Enjoy your weekend! FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA Summary to follow ... 14 January RUSSIA Small fire on board AKULA-III class submarine GEPARD … boat had returned from sea to Gladzhievo base after experiencing electrical problem … repair crew from nearby Shipyard No 10 on board, when alcohol-acetone mixture used for cleaning ignited (flash fire slightly injured one man) … quickly extinguished using Freon … no damage to boat. (rmks: seems odd that the VMFR is exeriencing sub fires lately.) Source: NIPmail. 17 January IRAN Spanish supply ship PATINO, flagship of EU anti-piracy operation “Atalanta”, assisted an Iranian-flagged dhow which had run out of fuel off the Somali Coast. Source: IMO Update. PIRACY Anti-Piracy Forces: Danish multi-purpose ship ABSALON (NATO) conducts crew change in Port Victoria, Seychelles … will remain on task with NATO operation “Ocean Shield” until April. Source: IMO Update. USA Amphibious assault ship BATAAN arrives at Rota, Spain, for a scheduled port visit … on return transit to home port Norfolk from a Middle East deployment. Source: NIPmail. 18 January IRAN – USA US Navy destroyer DEWEY rendered aid to the crew of sinking Iranian fishing dhow AL MAMSOOR in the central Arabian Sea. Source: NIPmail 19 January AUSTRALIA The second boat with asylum seekers to arrive off Australia this week has been intercepted north-east of Christmas Island by RAN patrol boat MAITLAND … .carrying 56 passengers and two crew. Source: IMO Update. INDONESIA Navy chief Admiral Soeparno: the first of three submarines to be built in South Korea will be completed by 2015. Source: NIPmail. INDONESIA The Indonesian Navy has ordered four X3K missile-equipped trimarans from Lundin Industry … 62.5m long, drafting just 1,2m, 35 knots, made from carbon fibre composite, to carry anti-ship missiles with 120km range. Prototype to start trials “in near future”, remaining three be delivered by 2014. (rmks: This is very interesting). Source: NIPmail. ITALY The Italian navy expects to begin flying operational sorties with four AgustaWestland AW101 airborne early warning and control system helicopters in March … equipped with an inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) capable of detecting maritime vessels at distances up to 300 km. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Somalia Basin: Pirated Italian merchant ship ENRICO IEVOLI (hijacked on 27 Dec) may be used as a mother ship … left anchorage off the Somalia coast, heading in a NE direction. Source: IMO Update. SOUTH KOREA Indonesian PT Dirgantara has delivered the third of four CN-235 maritime patrol aircraft to the South Korean coast guard. Source: NIPmail. TAIWAN The ROC Navy is “close” to receive two refitted former US Navy OSPREY class coastal mine hunters. (rmks: Looks like the database will needed to be updated again soon.) Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM TYPE 45 destroyer DARING, into her maiden deployment, has arrived at Gibraltar for a short visit. Source: NIPmail. USA The ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has arrived in the 5th Fleet area of responsibility … relieving the JOHN C. STENNIS CSG which in turn has left the region, currently entering the 7th Fleet area of responsibility through the Malacca Strait … STENNIS to conduct some exercises with regional partners as well as visits to Singapore and the Philippines before returning to home port San Diego later in Feb. Source: NIPmail. USA General Dynamics NASSCO holds keel-laying ceremony for the first mobile landing platform MLP-1 MONTFORD POINT in San Diego, Calif. Source: NIPmail. USA Southern Partnership Station 2012: HSV-2 SWIFT arrives in Callao (Peru) for three weeks to work with Peruvian partner-nation peers in a series of subject matter expert exchanges. Source: NIPmail. 20 January RUSSIA Aircraft carrier ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV continues operations in the Central Med … celebrating 21st anniversary of “first flag raising”. Source: NIPmail.

Oh yeah. That too! Greg

Its another snowpocalypse kind of day in the PacNorWest. Hope the weather is warm and sunny wherever you are. Here is today's NNSotD. Enjoy! FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA Summary to follow ... 14 January USA Aircraft carrier CARL VINSON commenced air missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom . operating in the Arabian Sea, the ship launched 58 combat sorties towards Afghanistan. Source: NIPmail. 16 January FRANCE 15 ships of the Force d'Action Navale have begun this year's first quarterly exercise "Gabian" . until 20 Jan off Toulon . participants include two destroyers, five frigates, three Aviso, two MCM boats and support vessels. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY (Source: IMO Update) +++ Somalia: Police from Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland seized 13 pirates, two skiffs and equipment . near Garacad, when they tried to return to a site from which they had been evicted in December (with 43 arrested that time). Local authorities claim currently some 250 pirates being held in prisons at Garacad and Jariban . very slow judicial process. +++ Anti-Piracy Forces: 6th Russian Pacific Fleet anti-piracy task group (RFS ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV, RFS BORIS BUTOMA, RFS FOTY KRYLOV) has ended operations in the Gulf of Aden and is heading home. On 19 Jan, scheduled to arrive at Surybaya, Indonesia, for a short visit. 17 January AUSTRALIA Patrol boat GLENELG intercepts asylum seeker boat with 74 passengers and two crew near Christmas Island. Source: IMO Update. INDIA Russian Sevmash shipyard (Severodvinsk) has reaffirmed schedule for former aircraft carrier ADMIRAL GORSHKOV . ship will cunduct first sea trials in the White Sea in May, to be handed over to the Indian navy by year end (rmks: I'll believe it, when I see it). Source: NIP mail. NORWAY As part of an upgrade to ULA class submarines, new MSI-90U Mk 2 Combat Management Systems have been ordered from Norwegian Kongsberg. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY Arabian Sea: East of Socotra, six pirates in one skiff attack Luxemburg-flagged special ship FLINTSTONE . protected by embarked Netherlands naval infantry team . ignore warning shots with signals munitions but break off when in response to aimed RPG shots were directly aimed at the skiff . return to mother ship . EU NavFor reportedly searching for pirate group. Source: IMO Update. USA The BATAAN Amphibious Ready Group has arrived in the Central / Western Mediterranean . on return transit to Norfolk after ending its ten-and-a-half month Middle East deployment. (rmks: One of the longest non-wartime deployments in modern naval histroy). Source: NIP mail. USA - CUBA Twenty-six Cubans came ashore in US Florida Keys . in a possible migrant-smuggling operation. Source: USCG Newsline. RUSSIA The Baltic Fleet is set to receive (only completion of registration documents required) three 25-m Project 90600 tugs, built by "Leningrad Shipyard Pella" . associated image shows one such tug with hull number RB-20. Source: NIPmail.

This discussion has given me some things to think about for the BRICS campaign I am putting together. I'm putting the finishing touches on the lead in - A Strange Way to Start a War, right now. Hopefully it will be ready by next week. I want to playtest it, before I write the orders. FWFS, Greg

This has been a very good discussion. I think we will probably see a few scenarios generated as a result. Greg

If its ready by December 2012, I'll eat my old dixie cup! The acceptance of India's carrier has been constantly pushed-back for about the last year. The slow progress on the INS Vikramaditya shows two things - Russia's shipyards are overbooked and their current materiel state makes them incapable of efficiently modernizing existing ships and cranking-out new hulls. This is changing. DCNS is helping Russia build a new yard in the region of St. Petersburg, so that Russia can build hulls 3 and 4 of the Mistral contract. Once that brain drain and technology transfer is complete, I think we could see efficincy pick-up. The one thing it won't help with is corruption. It's been estimated about 30% of all Russian defense funds evaporate dur to all the graft that takes place. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

To quote Darth Vader, "Impressive. Most impressive.: FWFS, Greg

Got a link? I'd like to check it out! Greg

Hope everyone had a good weekend and an enjoyable MLK, Jr. Day. We have snow in the PacNorWest. Here is the NNSotD for 14 - 17 January. Enjoy! FWFS, Greg Summaries to follow ... 06 January IRAN - USA In two separate incidents, armed Iranian speedboats briefly chased after US ships . first incident when dock landing ship NEW ORLEANS (part of the MAKIN ISLAND Amphibious ready Group) entered the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz and was approached to 500 yards by three Iranian boats. Second incident involved US Coast Guard cutter ADAK operating in the northern Persian Gulf off Kuwait . US Navy rates incidents as "harassment", although the Iranians did not appear to be provoking a fight. Source: NIPmail. 10 January USA VT Halter Marine delivers new missile range instrumentation ship T-AGM 25 HOWARD O. LORENZEN . replacement for T-AGM 23 OBSERVATION ISLAND. Source: NIPmail. 12 January DENMARK Final "flag lowering" for HAVKATTEN, the last active boat of the FLYVEFISKEN class (rmks: The US could learn a lot from the Danes attempt at an LCS). Had been used last year in MCM role, but this role will be taken up by new MCM drones. Source: NIPmail PIRACY (Source: IMO Update) +++ Somalia Basin: Reacting to the 12 Jan attack on a merchant ship southeast of Salalah (Oman), British Royal Navy supply ship FORT VICTORIA and US destroyer CARNEY (both NATO) intercept a suspected pirate mother ship (dhow) . when warning shots fired from Lynx helicopter went unheeded, boarding teams with speedboats employed to forcefully stop the dhow . search uncovered cache of weapons . 13 suspected pirates detained on board FORT VICTORIA. (rmks: probably will have to be released soon due to lack of evidence for a specific crime) +++ Somalia: Somali pirates release chemical tanker FAIRCHEM BOGEY, hijacked in Aug 2010 on the roadstead of Salalah, Oman. Reportedly up to US$ 8 million paid as ransom. Anti-Piracy Forces: Danish RAdm Aage Buur Jensen takes over command of multinational anti-piracy task force CTF-151 … relieves Pakistani RAdm Kaleem Shaukat … will operate embarked on US Navy destroyer HALSEY. 13 January MALAYSIA A fire broke out onboard Malaysian Navy survey vessel MUTIARA while dry-docked for repairs at the Malaysian Marine Heavy Engineering shipyard . probably due to negligent welding . ship reportedly suffered "extensive damage" but no casualty reported. Source: Naval Today (http://navaltoday.com/2012/01/13/royal-malaysian-navys-survey-vessel-catches-fire/) SYRIA Russian owned cargo vessel CHARIOT went to Syria (Tartus) after all. Had been temporarily detained in Cyprus suspected of carrying up to 60 t of ammunition destined for Syria but allowed to sail on after "promise" not to proceed to Syria. Ship owner justifies: load manifest just stated "dangerous" goods but did not specify ammunitions, so there was no reason for not proceeding to Syria. (rmks: there is no official arms embargo against Syria by which the Russians have to abide). Source: NIPmail USA The ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group has passed the Malakka Strait and reached the Andaman Sea . enroute the Arabian Sea. Source: NIPmail 14 January FRANCE Three months ahead of the original schedule, STX delivers third MISTRAL class helicopter carrier DIXMUDE to the French military’s Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA). Source: NIPmail. ISRAEL - USA Bilateral (largest ever) missile defence exercise "Austere Challenge 12", originally scheduled this spring, reportedly pushed back to the end of 2012 because of "budgetary concerns". Some local media speculate on political rift over taking action on Iran. (rmks US may cancel participation). Source: NIPmail RUSSIA Ships of the KUZNETSOV carrier task force continue on westerly course in the Mediterranean . tactical training incl. flight operations with 13 sorties Su-33 Flanker . the ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV afterwards conducts replenishment at sea. Source: Naval Today (http://navaltoday.com/2012/01/17/russian-navys-cg-continues-training-activities-in-mediterranean-sea/) USA Christening ceremony for LCS-4 CORONADO at the Austal facility in Mobile, Alabama. (rmks may be the wrong picture - the bow looks a little too dinged-up for a new ship). Source: Naval Today (http://navaltoday.com/2012/01/17/austal-shipyard-christens-uss-coronado/) USA US Media alleging that due to budget restrictions the US Navy will have to make do with only ten aircraft carriers. Source: Washington Post 15 January IRAN Defense Minister BGen Ahmad Vahidi announces plans to unveil a homemade maritime patrol aircraft within the next few weeks … probably during revolution anniversary ceremonies (01-10 Feb) … equipped with optical and radar subsystems, capable of operating for long distances. (rmks they may be looking for a domestic replacement of the aging P-3 fleet). Source: NIPmail. 16 January UNITED KINGDOM "Telegraph" reports on alleged critical design flaw with F-35C ... tail hook too close to wheels ... eight successive landing simulations reportedly failed. (rmks: Gloom, dispair and agony on me. Deep dark depression excessive misery. If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all!) Source: UK Telegraph PIRACY (source: IMO Update) +++ Spain: Spanish judicial authorities have decided to prosecute six Somali suspected pirates apprehended after (mistakenly) attacking Spanish supply ship PATINO (EU NavFor) on 12 Jan off Mogadishu. +++ Arabian Sea: Pirates in one skiff attack merchant vessel … some 250nm south east of Salalah, Oman … ship manages to escape (no details). RUSSIA DepPM Rogosin: repairs to fire-damaged submarine YEKATERINBURG will also be used to modernize the DELTA-IV class boat … totals cost up to US$ 30 million … work to start in May in Severodvinsk (rmks: prob. at Zvezdochka) … return to service only in summer 2014. (rmks: “modernization” is a nice twist to cover up the true damage. YEKATERINBURG had been modernized / upgraded already, at that even for carrying the most modern Lijner SLBM). Source: NIPmail RUSSIA KRIVAK class frigate LADNIY returns to home port Sevastopol, ending her deployment to the Mediterranean … had been part of the ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV carrier task force which meanwhile is operating in the Central Mediterranean. Source: NIPmail. SPAIN The Spanish navy has decided life-time extension and upgrade for its ship-borne helicopters Agusta Bell 212ASW … i.a. new avionics, communication and navigation systems. Source: NIPmail. SYRIA In an incident which already happened in late December, a Syrian navy patrol harassed German Navy intelligence collector ALSTER, operating in international waters off the Syrian coast … during darkness several times intentionally “crossed its course in very close proximity”. Source: NIPmail. UNITED KINGDOM The MoD reportedly signed off plans for streamlining the command organization of the armed forces’ services … with a number of (one-star) flag rank positions to be made redundant. Source: NIPmail UNITED KINGDOM Royal Marines have joined Metropolitan Police on the Thames in London for a week-long security exercise ahead of the 2012 Olympics. Source: NIPmail USA Huntington Ingalls is trying to internationally market “Patrol Frigate 4921”, based on the design of US Coast Guard’s LEGEND class National Security Cutters. No prospective customers yet. (rmks: At the price they are likely to ask, they probably will get few takers - maybe the Saudis or another GCC navy). Source: NIPmail. VIETNAM The Vietnamese navy commissions domestically made 54-m patrol vessel HQ 272 in to service … first domestically built warship … built with Russian assistance at Hong Ha Shipbuilding Company (Hai Phong) … based on Russian SVETLYAK design. (rmks: Interesting that Vietnam is beginning to roll their own, when it comes to patrol vessels). Source: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/en/politics/1...st-warship.html 17 January INDIA TALWAR (Batch II) class frigate TEG, built by Russian Yantar (Kaliningrad), begins final round of sea trials in the Eastern Baltic … Indian crew to embark this month for training … schedule on track for delivery in April. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY (source: IMO Update) +++ Gulf of Aden: Several merchant ships report suspicious skiffs in an area off Aden. +++ Arabian Sea: Pirates in one skiff attempted attack on merchant ship some 180nm northeast of Socotra UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS RUSSIA (Sep) Strategic exercise „Caucasus 2012“ to be held in South Russia/Caspian Sea incl. Caucasus states Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Armenia … taking account of “ current security political developments” … exceed previous exercises in both scale and scope ... prepare Russian forces for possible conflict “in the Caspian Sea region” (USA - Iran). Source: NIPmail. USA (March) Final deployment for aircraft carrier ENTERPRISE scheduled to begin in March . will head for the 5th Fleet area of operations. Source: NIPmail.

Those fishing expeditions would likely take place at the edge of the continental shelf. FWFS, Greg

Here's something interesting from the ASEAN region - VAPN is rolling their own patrol boats (with Russian assistance). Here's the story link: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/en/politics/1...st-warship.html In the coming days, I'll look for some more info on the platform, for the HUCE community. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

Definitely Morocco. They have struggled in the past and still have unsettled maritime claims. Morocco is commissioning two flavors of the Damen Schelde SIGMA and Mauritania could see this as a threat. The EU is currently navel gazing over their poor economic state and I don't think they even see Mauritania on the radar. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN Renton, WA, USA

Warhorse, Even if we go to toe-to-toes with the ChiComs, I don't personally see the engagements being the big bluewater battles of WWII or those envisioned by strategists during the Cold War. They will move toward the continental shelf of the Western Pacific. If you look at their "String of Pearl" bastion defense diagram you'll see this. They don't have a true power projecting force that would warrant bluewater tactics. Neither do the Russian or Indians for that matter. During the Cold War, Russia did, but no longer. They are a shadow of their former selves. At the same time, all three aspire to his dream but I don't see it in the next 20 to 30-years. You're right - the US does need a navy to fit the times - Power projection into the littorals. Have a force to hold the SLOC open in the blue water, but be effective in the shallower continental shelf. Currently, that's what we are lacking. Although we currently have allies developing this capability, we shouldn't rely on them - whose to say they won't turn on us (wow, there's a thought for a possible scenario, a hostile ASEAN against the US and Australia - hmmmm, that has possibilities). FWFS, Greg

Thanks for your comment, Steven. In some ways we could benefit by selling to other nations; however, we automatically excude ourselves and are not invited to submit an (Request for Proposal) because just to build the darn thing cost so much. That's why Damen Schelde is JV'ing (joint venture) with the Vietnamese, Austal bouth a yard in the Philippines and Singapore and Korea's shipbuilding is racking in money hand-over-fist. They make a quality product at an inexpensive price. The Chinese are learning their lesson - they were making junk on the cheap. Thailand and bangladesh took them to task in the world court and now they are even turning things around. India has apirations of greatness, but their yards ar overworked and antiquated. Russia makes some darn good platforms, but their system is more corrupt than ours (however, they don't have unions to deal with). There's a saying I remember fromthe Right Stuff - No bucks, no Buck Rogers. We want Buck Rogers and our budget can't support it. In other words - we are spending ourselves out of existence the way we forced the Sovits to, during the Cold War. Cuts are going to have to be made, but they shouldn't start with defense. Stop building all these golly-gee white elephants and construct a navy to fit the times - not bluewater engagements, but assymetrical ones in the littoral. FWFS, Greg

The drama called the US defense budget saga, can be likened to a poorly cast and predictably-plotted soap opera! Here's the source: http://defensenews.com/story.php?c=AME&amp...49668&s=SEA Don't get me wrong, I'm glad the US shipbuilding industry is getting a high priority in our national defense. What I'm saying is - its overrated. Two flavors of LCS (which are white elephants). The Danish experimented with "multi-purpose" warships and found they didn't work. The Virginia class SSN, while nice is not the best platform for the job. UW is shifting from the deep blue water of the oceans to the littoral. It's like taking a race horse and strapping it to a log wagon - sure it might get the job done, but it wasn't designed for it. A 7,000-ton SSN its meant to operate in coastal waters. Last but not least - the USS Gerald Ford. US$1.1B over budget and the fancy dancy Zumalt destroyers. Their like a merunge on a pie. They sure look nice but there's not a lot of substance to them. An electromagnetic catapult system and eletrical rail guns. Way too much high tech in a sea environment. Salt water doesn't react well with it, it's likely going to need a lot more maintenance and in these tough economic times - basic tried and true technology should be used. That's what the every other international shipbuilder is doing. Have you ever wondered why up and coming countries buy their ships from practically everyone elese but the US? Because our ships are too expensive to build! The defense industry in the US has become a huge lumbering levithan tied-up in red tape, while the shipbuilding industries of other countries is running circles around us. I'd love to hear what everyone on the fourm thinks. OKay, my rant is done. I got all this pent-up stress off my chest. I can enjoy my Sunday. Have a great rest of your weekend. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

I saw the Regan pull into Bremerton on Monday. It was just like that. Seeing it reminded me of my last ship (USS Carl Vinson) shifting homeports from Alameda, when it closed down to Bremerton in 1997. The Ronnie is up her for a yard period at PSNS. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

That's a really good workaround! Greg

Thanks for the comments. Man, I'd like to see LHAs and LHDs in HUCE deliver LCACs! That would add a whole new dimension to the game. Greg

NNSotD for 13 January 2012 (Happy Friday the 13th!). Summary to follow ... 06 January FRANCE Frigate VENTOSE … in the Caribbean … intercepts a British-flagged sailing yacht carrying some 600 kg of Cocaine … four people arrested. Source: IMO Update. 09 January USA Austal in Mobile, Alabama, launches fourth Littoral Combat Ship LCS-4 CORONADO. Source: Defense Web - http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?opti...&Itemid=106 12 January INDIA Development of a hypersonic (up to Mach 7) variant of the Brahmos anti-ship missile to be completed by 2017. Source: NIPmail. IRAN The USA has warned Iran that closing the Strait of Hormuz is a “red line” that would provoke an instant (military) response. JCS Gen Dempsey: “… take action and reopen the strait“. Source: NIPmail. PIRACY +++ Somalia: Spanish navy supply ship PATINO (flagship to EU NavFor) had just completed escorting a WFP cargo ship to Mogadishu, when a skiff approached, pirates opened fire and tried to board. When PATINO crew returned fire and launched helicopter, the pirates broke off attack and surrendered … six (five of them wounded) apprehended and detained on board PATINO. Fate of possible 7th pirate unclear; may have been lost overboard during the attack. (rmks: in first daylight mistook the navy ship for a merchant vessel). Source: IMO Update. +++ Arabian Sea: South-east of Salalah, Oman, pirates with two skiffs attack merchant ship which manages to escape (no details). Source: IMO Update. RUSSIA Update: acc. to DepPM Rogozin, fire-damaged DELTA-IV class submarine to be repaired and returned to fleet “by summer 2014”. Repairs scheduled to start this summer. (rmks: “Russian evolution”: more than a year … less than one year … more than two years. Non-gov source suggests three to four years). Source: NIPmail. USA CNO Adm Greenert: In implementing the new defence strategic guidance, the US Navy will need to review its numbers of ships, aircraft and equipment and how they are distributed around the world … in Asia will focus largely on relationships - rather than a naval build-up in the region. Source: NIPmail. USA Lockheed-Martin delivered the first two production F-35B Lightning-II aircraft to the US Marine Corps … will be used for pilot and maintainer training at the F-35 Integrated Training Center. Source: NIPmail. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS USA (20 Jan) Change of command at the Pacific Fleet ... Adm. Cecil D. Haney will take over from Adm. Patrick Walsh during a ceremony at Pearl Harbor … Walsh is retiring after 34 years. Source: NIPmail. Have a great weekend!!!!! FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

Steve, The nice nice thing about Harpoon is you can craft any number of different situations. It kind of reminds me of the war room sequences from the old movie "War Games." One thread I'm about to explore is a 50/50 split. Some Pan-Islamic countries siding with the US, while others (led by Turkey) come to Iran's defense. Needless to say, they are a monkey's paw for the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) to keep the US and UK off balance. Godspeed on your design. I'd like to see it when our done - you have my curiosity peeked! FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

Research on the CSS Hunley proceeds in Charleston, CS. Picture attached. I served on the submarine tender named for the submarine, in Scotland and the US (from 1986 to 1989). FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN Renton, WA, USA