gemerson

Gotcha on the link! Here ou go: http://www.barentsobserver.com/submarines-...3663-58932.html FWFS, Greg

Enjoy! FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA Summary follows ... 01 January CHINA Aircraft carrier ex-VARYAG completed the third phase of sea trials and returned to Dalian. 03 January Southern Partnership Station 2012: HSV-2 SWIFT continues mission in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala. 04 January ALGERIA Norwegian STX OSV Brattvaag is fitting out three TYPE UT 515 CD salvage tugs / rescue ships (similar to French ABEILLE BOURBON) … hulls built at STX Tulcea (Romania) … destined for the Algerian navy. First named EL MOUNDJID (HullNr 701), about to be delivered. INDONESIA The Indonesian Navy has ordered a total of 24 CLURIT class fast missile fast boats (40m, carrying Chinese C-705 missiles) from local PT PAL … two boats (641-CLURIT, 642-KUJANG) already delivered, third under construction, six more by 2014 … “depending on availability of funds”, program to run through 2024 … boats to be deployed in shallow waters in the western part of Indonesia and in North Sulawesi. IRAN Iran's parliament reportedly is preparing a bill that would prohibit all foreign warships from entering the Persian Gulf unless they received permission from the Iranian navy. +++ In 2009, IRIN was given responsibilities for the Gulf of Oman and Iranian naval operations in the Indian Ocean, while the IRGCN was given custody of the Strait of Hormuz and all Iranian naval operations in the Persian Gulf. The NOB was reorganized to reflect this. PIRACY +++ Bab el Mandeb: Pirate Attack group with four skiffs active in the area … attacked one merchant ship, approached another three but failed to hijack. +++ Gulf of Aden: Pirates in one skiff attack a merchant vessel southwest of Aden, Yemen. Ship manages to evade. +++ Gulf of Aden: Pirates in one skiff attack a merchant vessel south of Mukalla, Yemen. Ship manages to evade. +++ Gulf of Oman: Six pirates in one skiff attack a merchant vessel in the Northern Arabian Sea / Gulf of Oman. Ship manages to evade. RUSSIA Third STEREGUSHCHIY class corvette, BOYKIY, after launch from Northern Shipyard (St. Petersburg) about to begin first pier-side tests. Delivery to Baltic Fleet scheduled this year. TURKEY Spanish Navantia seems to be “well on track” for being contracted with building a helicopter carrier for the Turkish Navy … based on the JUAN CARLOS I design. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS FRANCE – UNITED KINGDOM (late Oct) The French and the British navies are planning exercises for a joint carrier task force … in late Oct /early Nov in the Mediterranean … France to deploy aircraft carrier CHARLES DE GAULLE, the Royal Navy to participate with UK Response Force Task Group which should include helicopter carriers OCEAN and ILLUSTRIOUS. One focus said to be on amphibious operations with participation of marines as well as ground forces.

Here's a current update of the ongoing saga of the Delta IV SSBN Fire ... Submarine’s Torpedo Compartment Was On Fire (BARENTS OBSERVER (NORWAY) 03 JAN 12) Revealing photos of the nuclear powered submarine “Yekaterinburg” from before and during last week’s fire clearly indicate that the flames come from inside the torpedo-compartment. A photo taken of “Yekaterinburg” in the floating dock in Roslyakova before the fire started on December 29th shows a large cut in the hull on the port side of the submarine. The hull is near the front bow, the part where the torpedo compartment is located. A second photo, posted anonymously on blogger51, shows that the massive flames are coming out from the same cut in the hull. Blogger51 is a portal in Murmansk well known for posting information you normally don’t find in other Russian media. Barents Observer has got permission from Blogger51 to re-post the images. A third photo, taken after the fire was finally extinguished after 20 hours, shows that not much of the acoustic rubber coating on the surface of the submarine hull is damaged by the fire. The images contradict earlier statements that the fire stroked the outer hull. Northern fleet spokesman Capt. 1st rank Vadim Serga told RIA Novosti that the wooden scaffolding around the submarine caught fire, which spread to the submarine’s outer hull. The blogger that has posted the images writes: …this was shocking, I earlier incorrectly suggested that the markings on the front end came from an external fire, but here it is clear that the fairing was damaged from inside. Concerning the rubber coating, on the junction on the right side are not as many burned fragments of rubber coating, as dismantled ones. The fire and the reasons for the fire are a hot topic in social media like Facebook, Vkontakte and Twitter in the Murmansk region. The question many ask is; why was there a large cut in the hull of the submarine’s torpedo compartment? What combustible material inside the hull made such large flames over such long period and why was it so difficult to extinguish the fire? Submarine experts Barents Observer has showed the photos to, say the investigators appointed to look into the cause of the fire have many good questions to answers. As Barents Observer reported on Monday, President Dmitri Medvedev has instructed Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin to conduct a thorough investigation to find good answers to what happened with “Yekaterinburg” last Thursday. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

I wait with baited breath (not). If the strategy is anything like the FY 2012 defense budget, it leaves a lot to be desired. Although the Navy/Marine Corps gets the biggest piece of the pie by percentage (approx. 29% that amounts to US$161.4B) and of this amount a paltry US$2.7B is designated for naval overseas contingency operations. That's the good news. Now for the bad news … With defense spending cuts just now beginning,these numbers will likely continue to dramatically change in the coming months. Delivery of the USS Gerald Ford ((CVN 78) now costing US$12B – with an estimated cost overrun of US$1.1B) has been delayed to FY 2015 and the JHSV program was downsized. Under the caps of the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA) and the sequestration process, the FY 2013 US defense budget will be an estimated US526B (fully 25% less than the final FY2012 amount). Someone who's looking forward to what the President's new defense strategy is all about, probably need to get a life! FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA

Just learned the ARC is planning three additional hulls of their 80m 20 de Julio class offshore patrol vessel (OPV). The ships are based on the Fassmer 80-meter design. This will bring the class up to a total number of five when completed. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

Enjoy ... 02 January AUSTRALIA Two more suspected asylum seeker boats carrying a total of 54 people have been intercepted by Australian navy patrol boats off Australia’s north-western coast. 03 January CHINA Rumours that a total of 24 JIANGKAI-II class frigates may be built eventually. IRAN +++ The Iranian Navy wrapped up ten-day exercise “Velayat 90” with naval +++ parades displaying different types of warships, submarines, hovercraft, helicopter and aircraft Iranian Army chief: wargames “proved that Iran is powerful enough to exercise full control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz” … the US Navy has moved aircraft carrier JOHN C STENNIS out of the Gulf “just because of the Iranian navy’s exercise” … will “take action should the ship return into the Gulf”. (rmks: beware such statements are mainly meant for the Iranian people) RUSSIA Images published by a Russian blogger seem to suggest that the recent fire on DELTA-IV class submarine YEKATERINBURG did not (much) affect the anechoic rubber coating but actually burnt within the submarine … photo shows large hole cut into the hull’s port front section before the fire started. (rmks: difficult to verify whether the hole has indeed been cut into the YEKATERINBURG – or another submarine. If true, this would also contradict statements that she has been at the shipyard for just small repairs).

Operation Earnest Will (in the late 1980's) was the beginning of sustained carrier deployments to the Gulf. Operation Praying Mantis (April 1988) served as a precursor for offensive naval operations, as the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) struck targets, including two Iranian frigates and sinking one of them. Hope this helps. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

I understand completely. The system does have distinct assymetrical threat possibilities. Both Iran and Venezuela were interested in the system at DIMDEX last yaer when it was previewed (fancy that). Let me know you email and I can shoot you the assessment we did. What is the most recent HCDB? The one in the D/L area is dated 2007, but in a previous thread I saw you talking about a bunch of platforms that were added or altered. BTW, you might remember me. I sent you the scenario "Threat Matrix" a few years ago, when Harpoon Classic Gold was being put togther (this would have been back in 2003). It good to be getting back into Harpoon again (and I can even do it as part of my work). I'm knocking around the idea of planning several scenarios centered around the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) alliance. I'll keep ya posted. FWFS Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired.

Shoot me your email offline (I'm sure you have mine through HarpGamer). I did an assessment, for my company last year, it's a wicked system. I'll send you a PDF copy, which has links to the Rosobornexport demo video. Although it hasn't been sold, it would definitely add some serious "what-ifs" to the game. It's interesting the the Brits new land attack cruise missile hits a flatbed-mounted Club-K launcher in the demo video BAE Systems produced a few months ago. My company is going to Pacific and DIMDEX 2012 again this year and I wouldn't be surprised to see some additional press about it there. Will keep you posted. FWFS, Greg

You got that right, Warhorse! Greg

How do we download and install the updated db? Also, does the DB include info on the Club-K-armed merchant ships? If not, I can get you some specs, for updating the HCDB. FWFS, Greg

Even the quisling current administration, will find this laughable (at least that's what I hope. Greg

My take is they are planning these OPV's to patrol their offshore oil reserves in the littoral/EEZ. I think they will have some good gun armaments, but not have anything heavier. Brazil is planning a heavier surface combatant (frigate or destroyer-size). I think we can probably expect word of that progran gaining traction in the coming months. FWFS, Greg

You asked for it, you got it. Here today's naval summary. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired - - - - - 02 January BRAZIL British BAe Systems signed a contract for transfer of three 90-m Ocean Patrol Vessels originally ordered by the Trinidad & Tobago coast guard - and cancelled by it shortly prior delivery – to the Brazilian navy … contract value given as Euro 140 million. The first two ships will be delivered in 2012 and the third will follow in early 2013. Contract said to also provide for further vessels of the same class to be constructed in Brazil. IRAN During the final day of exercise „Velayat 90“ the Iranian navy has test-fired anti-ship missiles “Nour” “Ghader” and “Nasr”… from both mobile launchers ashore and naval vessels … at least one missile hit a moored target at sea, although not known over what distance … the “long-range” cruise missiles (rmks: 150-250 km, NOT to be mistaken with long-range ballistic missiles) are said to have been fired in northern the Gulf of Oman “near” (but not at) the Strait of Hormuz … displayed by the Iranian navy as “proof of capability” to effectively close the narrows. RUSSIA KUZNETSOV deployment: the ADMIRAL KUZNETSOV carrier task force is heading east towards the Central Mediterranean … from 03-06 Jan reportedly scheduled tactical training incl. flight operations south of the Ionian Sea between Malta and Crete … Greece permitted Russian aircraft to use airspace in the western part of the Greek Flight Information Region. (rmks: mirrors exercises conducted during previous KUZNETSOV deployments) SPAIN General Admiral Fernando Garcia Sanchez takes over as new Chief of Defence Staff (Jefe de Estado Mayor de la Defensa – JEMAD) YEMEN Eleven Yemeni coastguards personnel were found dead and six others rescued when their boat capsized in the Red Sea off Hudieda … boat had a machine fault before it was struck by a tidal wave. UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS FRANCE (05 Mar) Training squadron for 2012 “Mission Jeanne d’Arc” to be comprised of helicopter carrier DIXMUDE and destroyer GEORGES LEYGUES … sail from Toulon for Eastern Mediterranean, Red Sea and Indian Ocean, Cape of Good Hope, Atlantic … return in late July.

Here's something interesting, from the Latin America desk: http://navaltoday.com/2012/01/03/brazilian...-of-three-opvs/ FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA [CV32: Moved to the 'Current Events in the Americas' subforum]

First of all, its not a frigate. The ship is one of the IRGCN's Kaman Patrol Boats (P-228 is the Gorz). The missile is one of Iran's reamining Standard Missiles (SM-1). The was mentioned in my naval news snippets and commented on by CV32. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USN

BTW, For those interested, I can continue posting naval news summaries as I receive them. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USN

That's good info. Also concerning Iran, they recently test-fired an SSM from one of their Wellington class ACV. This combined with the overall material condition of their KAMAN's seems to indicate they may be searching for a workaround, if one of the IRGCN's primarly platforms goes kaput. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USN

Greetings, I've played Harpoon for years, but am new to HUCE and the orders Writer. How do I save orders for a scenario that I am designing? FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

Enjoy these news snippets. Maybe it will help to develop some "what if" scenarios. Enjoy ... FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA Naval News Summary: 23 December CHILE Update: Together with dock landing ship FOUDRE (renamed SARGENTO ALDEA) the French navy also sold CDIC landing ship RAPIERE and two CTM landing craft (CTM-19, CTM-24) to the Chilean navy. 28 December HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE RUSSIA KUZNETSOV deployment: Frigate LADNIY pictured in Valetta, Malta. 29 December RUSSIA KUZNETSOV deployment: Tanker SERGEI OSIPOV arrives at Valetta, Malta. 30 December HAITI Officials in Turks and Caicos have intercepted a boat carrying 117 migrants from Haiti, making this the fourth boat in about a week to be found … were brought ashore and will be detained, processed and repatriated as appropriate. INDIA During a signing ceremony at the Russian Bolshoi Kamen ship building facility in the (Far East) Primorye region, AKULA (mod) class submarine NERPA was handed over to the Indian navy… in a ten-year leasing agreement … two years later than originally planned … will sail from Russia in mid-January to arrive at future home base Visakhapatnam in February and be commissioned by the Indian navy in March. IRAN On the seventh day of exercise “Velayat 90”, Iranian navy divers “detected and neutralized mines” RUSSIA +++ Update: Fire at DELTA-IV class submarine YEKATERINBURG extinguished. Initial assessment reportedly shows repairs will take “no less than a year”. (rmks: most media had reported fire “aboard” the submarine, however, flames obviously had engulfed only the anechoic rubber coating covering the submarine’s outer hull: Russian official: there was never a danger of the fire spreading to the inside of the YEKATERINBURG; part of crew even had stayed on board throughout the incident.) +++ Some media spread a story that there had been four torpedoes on board theYEKATERINBURG, of which the crew could remove only three while the fourth had remained stuck throughout the entire episode. (rmks: unconfirmed; weapons routinely are offloaded before yard period with dry-docking) USA The CARL VINSON Carrier Strike Group has ended its visit to Hong Kong and continues its scheduled Western Pacific deployment which eventually will bring it to the 5th Fleet area of operations. 31 December IRAN +++ Third phase (“power phase”) of exercise “Velayat 90” started with ships conducting live artillery firing at sea targets. +++ Iranian media reported on live missile tests in / near the Strait of Hormuz, which actually did not take place (officials: “postponed on short notice”). Speculation on possible deliberate bluff as for nearly five hours not a single ship dared to sail the narrows, obviously waiting for the tests to be over. 01 January IRAN +++ In continuing exercise “Velayat 90”, the Iranian navy test-fired a +++ new indigineous “medium-range” and “radar-evading” surface-to-air +++ missile dubbed Mehrab … allegedly capable of ballistic missile defence” (rmks: many media have mixed this up with a medium-range ballistic missile). Associated photos and video show a missile looking somewhat like a Standard Missile (SM) fired from KAMAN (COMBATTANTE-II) class missile boat P-228 GORZ. (rmks: some Iranian vessels incl. KAMAN class missile boats reportedly have carried SM-1 to be employed in an anti-ship mode) Exercise schedule also saw live firing of anti-ship missiles from both naval vessels and ashore Naval “artillery assets” engaged in a “mock battle with the enemy”. +++ GHADIR class midget submarines targeted surface vessels with PT47 torpedoes. MALAYSIA French DCNS confident to soon “formalize” a contract for six GOWIND type corvettes for the Malaysian navy … to be built in partnership with local Boustead … first to be delivered in 2017 … total value 2.1 billion Euros. 107-m variant similar to that envisioned for the Bulgarian navy. 02 January IRAN Final day of exercise “Velayat 90”; live firing of “long-range” Nour and Ghader anti-ship (coastal defence?) missiles announced. (rmks: you may well expect many international media to mix up long-range anti-ship missiles - up to 300 km - with long-range ballistic missiles – 3,000 km) UPCOMING / PLANNED EVENTS PIRACY (09 Feb) Kenya will host an anti-piracy conference at heads of state level (organized in conjunction with the UN) on 09/10 Feb in Nairobi … expect regional heads of state to attend … prepare for a broader conference on Somalia being hosted by Britain on 23 Feb.

Thanks Silent Hunter! Greg

Tony, the problem is corrected. I loaded HUCE on my XP home PC and it works fine and the ScenEdit feature is operational! I'm currently working on the first of a series of scenarios. Bravo Zulu, for your quick assistance. FWFS, Greg Emerson, DM1(SW), USN-Retired Renton, WA, USA

Got intel from a very reliable source - the fire took place on a Delta IV SSBN. Sccafolding caught fire, which caused the sound-dampening anecoic tile to catch fire. Man, that's gotta suck! FWFS, Greg Emerson DM1(SW), USN-Retired

I could see giving him a DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross), but not a SS. No direct combat was involved. Frankly, the propincity to award posthumous medals decades after the fact is getting a little out of hand. FWFS, Greg Emerson DM1(SW), USN-Retired

Tony, through work I have access to my PC at work that is already a W7-Prof. How do I determine whether it is 32 or 64 bit? It was set-up for me in Nov 2011? Where could I look in the Control Panel. Once I get the XP VMW set-up on it, can I access it virtually, when I work from home and this laptop (with W7H)? Fair Winds and Following Seas, Greg