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HMS Ajax
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HMS Albion 1950's in Gibraltar
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HMS Revenge - 1935
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HMS Ark Royal - 1950'S
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HMS Arrow 1981
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HMS Blyth
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Article 0
HMS Tireless at Rest
By: Dave Majumdar
Published: June 20, 2014 3:35 PM
Updated:
HMS Tireless during the search for missing MH-370 Malaysia Airlines flight. Royal Navy Photo
The British Royal Navy decommissioned HMS Tireless (S88), its oldest nuclear attack submarines, on Thursday in Plymouth, England.
The 5,300-ton vessel was decommissioned after nearly 30 years of service. Tireless was originally commissioned in 1985 as the third boat in the Trafalgar-class of nuclear attack submarines.
“I am very proud to be the last commanding officer of HMS Tireless, and to conduct the decommissioning ceremony today,” said Commander Hywel Griffiths, the submarine’s captain in a statement released by the Royal Navy. “Although it is sad to consign her to history,Tireless has achieved much in her nearly 30 year career.”
Two older Trafalgar-class boats have already been retired—Trafalgar and Turbulent—in favor of the new Astute-class attack submarines.
Tireless will be replaced by HMS Artful, the third boat of that class. The vessel has been launched, however the submarine will not enter into sea trials until next year.
The Astute-class submarines are comparable in terms of size and capability to the U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class attack submarines. In fact, General Dynamics Electric Boat was called in to help correct design problems with the Astute-class when the lead vessel was being built.
The Astute-class boats displace 7,400 tons submerged, with a length of 97 meters and have a crew complement of 98. They carry a total of 38 weapons that can be launched from six 21-inch torpedo tubes.
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Article 24
Plymouth based 1 Assault Group Royal Marines (1AGRM) took part in the historic and colourful Ceremony of the Constable’s Dues at the Tower of London on Friday 20 June.
This tradition is still upheld today in the Ceremony of the Constable’s Dues. Normally when the Royal Navy berths one of its ships in London, the Captain of that vessel delivers a barrel of port to the Constable as a symbol of these ancient rights.
This honour has been given to 1AGRM who are representing the Corps of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines during their 350th anniversary. The port was delivered to the Tower by landing craft.
Colonel Garth Manger, the Commanding Officer of 1AGRM, led the ancient ritual as 98 Royal Marines and Royal Naval personnel marched to the Tower’s West Gate where they were be challenged for entry to the Tower by the Yeoman Gaoler armed with his infamous axe.
They then marched through the Tower of London to Tower Green, accompanied by Yeoman Warders (commonly known as ‘Beefeaters’) in red and gold State Dress and the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth. Here, they delivered a barrel of port, as the ‘Dues’ to the Tower’s Constable, represented by the Governor of the Tower of London, Richard Harrold, as a symbol of these ancient rights.
Colonel Manger said: “It is a great honour for 1 Assault Group Royal Marines to be the first Royal Marine Unit to conduct the Ceremony of the Dues at the Tower of London, particularly as we commemorate our 350th anniversary.”
Press Release, June 23, 2014; Image: UK Navy
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Article 23
Just 7 months after the UK Ministry of Defence ordered the system from Boeing Defence UK, footage released yesterday, 22 June, shows ScanEagle taking flight from HMS Somerset in the Gulf.
Pilots in a specialist team on board the ship plan ScanEagle’s missions and control its flight. Once its mission is over it returns to the ship where the information, gathered by its state-of-the art sensors, is then monitored and analysed.
ScanEagle comes with many features beneficial to the Royal UK Navy including flying at speeds of up to 80 knots and staying airborne for around 10 hours, covering areas of around 60 miles from launch.
The multi-million-pound capability can also be used both in the day and at night thanks to a high resolution camera which can see in the dark and when there is poor visibility.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: “This is the first time we have operated an unmanned air system on maritime operations, heralding a new era of aviation and intelligence-gathering in the Royal Navy.
“ScanEagle will play a crucial role in operations and humanitarian missions not only in the Gulf but also on Royal Navy vessels right across the globe, further underlining our commitment to invest in innovative capabilities.”
Commander Mike Smith, commanding officer of HMS Somerset, said “ScanEagle provides us with a game-changing, persistent surveillance and reconnaissance capability, supplementing our Lynx aircraft so that it can be held for higher priority missions.
“The ability to fly ScanEagle for extremely long periods of time extends the eyes and ears of the ship way beyond that we can currently achieve.
“It’s been an exciting project to be involved in and the system’s arrival will fundamentally change the way we operate, making HMS Somerset more effective right across the diverse range of operational roles we can perform; be that counter-piracy, counter-narcotics, disaster relief or war-fighting.”
Press Release, June 23, 2014; Image: UK Government
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Article 22
Ultra announces that its EMS Development Corporation business (EMS), located in Long Island, New York, USA has been awarded a multi-year contract totalling over US$21m from General Dynamics Electric Boat Corporation.
Rakesh Sharma, Chief Executive of Ultra, commented: “I am pleased that we have secured this important contract which recognises Ultra’s specialist power management systems and supports a key US Navy submarine programme. The priority the programme receives is a reflection of the importance of the “pivot to the Pacific” spoken about by the US Navy.”
Press Release, June 23, 2014; Image: Wikimedia
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Article 21
One of the US Navy’s E-2C Hawkeyes retired from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 120 on May 9 and reported for duty at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida.
“Pensacola is where all naval flight officers are trained. They get their wings here, so it’s fitting for us to have a platform that’s very NFO-intensive for the crew onboard,” Goodspeed said. “The E-2 is a very familiar platform, since it’s been flying and a very visible part of naval aviation for half a century. That makes it a platform that the public is very aware of since it’s so long serving. Plus, they are unique with the large radome and draw attention whenever you see them.”Modern aircraft, such as the E-2C that recently arrived at Pensacola, are an easy addition to the museum’s display. Since the aircraft are in working condition when they land — and typically have been in active use by the fleet — there is little lag time before they go on display for visitors.
“In the case of the E-2, it’s just pretty much as long as it takes to demilitarize and defuel [the aircraft] — a very short period of time. I anticipate sometime this summer it will be available for people to see,” Goodspeed said. “Modern planes like the Hawkeye arrive in excellent condition. Squadrons make it a point of pride to make sure they look like show pieces when they get here.”For many, the E-2C is more than just an educational reference for those who have never flown an E-2. It is also important for those who have worked on or in an E-2 Hawkeye, from design and test through fleet service and maintenance.
Press Release, June 24, 2014; Image: NAVAIR
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Article 20
The new Compact Swaging Machine (CSM), responsible for automating a current hazardous process and reducing Sailor workload, successfully completed its first operational fleet test aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) May 12.
“The CSM automates a process that has been practiced by the fleet since the Navy started using aircraft carrier arresting gear,” said Jim Raevis, CSM team lead.On the morning of May 9, the prototype CSM that had been placed in an ISO freight container was craned aboard the CVN 76 flight deck. On May 12, four new terminals were successfully swaged onto purchase cables, and within hours of CVN 76 leaving port in San Diego, California, the cables began taking arrestments from manned aircraft.
“Endorsed as the number one priority by the ALRE (Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment) community at the last three meetings of the Aviation Boatswain’s Mates Association, the CSM will dramatically increase the quality of life for the Sailor,” said Andrew Sussman, recovery integrated product team lead for the U.S. Navy’s ALRE Program Office (PMA-251).After each newly-swaged wire has accrued 500 arrestments, or aircraft landings, estimated to happen by late this summer, the cables will then be cropped and shipped to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in Lakehurst, New Jersey, where personnel will conduct residual life testing.
“We are going to test the terminals and wires to their point of destruction to discover how much strength remains,” Raevis said. “That’s the type of testing we have conducted every step of this program.”The current time-intensive process of replacing a terminal requires four to six Sailors and can take up to 12 hours to complete. During this process, zinc is heated to 1,000-degrees Fahrenheit in a small space onboard the ship, and the molten metal is then poured into a socket. Special care is required during this risky process, and the work must be repeated if strict material tolerances are not met.
PMA-251 and industry partner, Creare Engineering Research & Development, while under NAVAIR Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract, designed the advanced hydraulic system.
“The CSM requires only one Sailor and forms the replacement terminal in an hour,” said Cmdr. Tony Hernandez, ALRE fleet liaison officer. “Needless to say, the machine’s capability will leave a lasting impression in naval history.”
“The plan forward is to remove socket pouring across the fleet in total, replacing it with CSMs in each and every ship,” Raevis said, adding that fleet installations are currently planned to begin in 2018.
Press Release, June 24, 2014; Image: Wikimedia
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Article 19
BAE Systems has been awarded a contract to produce and deliver four 57 Mk3 Naval Guns to the Mexican Navy.
“This contract award further strengthens our strong position in the naval guns market,” said Lena Gillström, managing director of Weapon Systems, Sweden, at BAE Systems. “This competitive win shows that BAE Systems’ world-leading 57mm naval gun and ammunition systems continue to be selected as the best solution for both new and existing customers around the world.”The 57 Mk3 gun is proving to be a successful product for various customers. In addition to Mexico, the 57 Mk3 is also in service with Navies and Coast Guards in the United States, Canada, Sweden, Finland, and Malaysia.
The 57 Mk3 gun can fire four rounds per second and can switch immediately between ammunition types to deliver seamless targeting of air, land, and sea-based threats and provide superb survivability and tactical freedom at all levels of conflict.
Series production begins immediately, with gun deliveries beginning in 2015 and continuing through 2017. Final assembly will take place at BAE Systems’ facility in Karlskoga, Sweden.
Press Release, June 24, 2014; Image: BAE Systems
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Article 18
Since World War II, sea mines have damaged or sunk four times more U.S. Navy ships than all other means of attack combined, according to a Navy report on mine warfare.
The underlying technology, known as synthetic aperture sonar (SAS), uses advanced computing and signal processing power to create fine-resolution images of the seafloor based on reflected sound waves. Thanks to the long-term vision and a series of focused efforts funded by the Office of Naval Research spanning back to the 1970s, SAS has become a truly robust technology. When it transitions to the fleet, the SAS will dramatically improve the Navy’s ability to carry out the mine countermeasures mission.
“The Navy wants to find sea mines,” said Daniel Cook, a GTRI senior research engineer. “There are systems that do this now, but compared to SAS, the existing technology is crude.”The SAS research is funded by a grant from the Office of Naval Research, and is conducted in collaboration with the Applied Research Laboratory at the Pennsylvania State University. In the past year, the group has made strides in improving the ability to predict and understand sonar image quality and has published and presented their work at conferences.
Sonar systems emit sound waves and collect data on the echoes to gather information on underwater objects.
The Navy uses torpedo-shaped autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to map swaths of the seafloor with sonar sensors. Perhaps the most well-known example is the Bluefin 21 used to search for Malaysian Airlines Flight 370.
The AUVs zigzag back and forth in a “mowing the lawn pattern,” Cook said.These AUVs can map at a range of depths, from 100 to 6,000 meters.
SAS is a form of side scanning sonar, which sends pings to the port and starboard sides of the AUV and records the echoes. After canvassing the entire area, data accumulated by SAS is processed into a mosaic that gives a complete picture of that area of the seafloor.
SAS has better resolution than real aperture sonar (RAS), which is currently the most widespread form of side scan sonar in use. RAS transmits pings, receives echoes and then paints a strip of pixels on a computer screen. RAS repeats this pattern until it has an image of the seafloor. This technology is readily available, and relatively cheap, but its resolution over long ranges is not good enough to suit the Navy’s mine hunting needs.
RAS sensors emit acoustic frequencies that are relatively high and are therefore quickly absorbed by the seawater. SAS uses lower frequency acoustics, which can travel farther underwater. Upgrading to SAS improves the range at which fine resolution pictures can be produced.
“RAS can give you a great looking picture but it can only see out 30 to 50 meters,” Cook said. “For the same resolution, SAS can see out to 300 meters.”
Press Release, June 24, 2014; Image: Georgia Tech Research Institute
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Article 17
US Cargo Ship to Load Syrian Chemical Agents Soon
Posted by George Backwell
Tuesday, June 24, 2014, 3:45 AM
'Cape Ray': Photo CCL3
An American cargo ship, the 'Cape Ray' converted into a mobile chemical weapons destroyer is expected to take charge of some of Syria's most dangerous materials next week, a U.S. defense official said.
Syria on Monday handed over the remaining 8 percent of a total 1,300 tonnes that Syria declared to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
The handover had faced repeated delays, leaving the Cape Ray docked in southern Spain awaiting a green light to proceed. Its mission now is to transform toxic agents into a much less poisonous soup of chemicals, ready for disposal back on land.
The Cape Ray's crew were given word on Monday that they needed to be ready to depart Spain in the coming days for southern Italy's Gioia Tauro port, where they will meet with a Danish ship carrying Syrian chemical agents, the U.S. defense official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The cargo will then be transferred from the Danish ship to the Cape Ray in a pier-side operation next week.
The Cape Ray is expected to leave sometime later next week for international waters of the Mediterranean, the official said.
Once there, the Cape Ray will need weeks of round-the-clock processing to neutralize the chemical agents.
Syria agreed last September to destroy its entire chemical weapons program under a deal that averted U.S. military strikes after hundreds of people were killed in a sarin gas attack in the outskirts of the capital, Damascus.
(By Phil Stewart)
The handover had faced repeated delays, leaving the Cape Ray docked in southern Spain awaiting a green light to proceed. Its mission now is to transform toxic agents into a much less poisonous soup of chemicals, ready for disposal back on land.
The Cape Ray's crew were given word on Monday that they needed to be ready to depart Spain in the coming days for southern Italy's Gioia Tauro port, where they will meet with a Danish ship carrying Syrian chemical agents, the U.S. defense official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The cargo will then be transferred from the Danish ship to the Cape Ray in a pier-side operation next week.
The Cape Ray is expected to leave sometime later next week for international waters of the Mediterranean, the official said.
Once there, the Cape Ray will need weeks of round-the-clock processing to neutralize the chemical agents.
Syria agreed last September to destroy its entire chemical weapons program under a deal that averted U.S. military strikes after hundreds of people were killed in a sarin gas attack in the outskirts of the capital, Damascus.
(By Phil Stewart)
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Article 16
After months of training with synthetic airframes, NUSHIP Canberra’s Air Department was exposed to the real thing at HMAS Albatross earlier this month.
The ship’s aircraft directors marshalled the helicopter in for landing and experienced the full down wash of the main rotor blades as the aircraft hovered over the landing spot.
Canberra’s Commander Air, Commander Paul Moggach said the flight control team and Joint Battlefield Airspace Controllers also attended the training to exercise communications procedures between Flying Control (FLYCO), Air Traffic Control, the flight deck team and the aircraft.
“This training has allowed us to develop fundamental communication procedures that will allow safe and efficient aviation operations in the LHD,” CMDR Moggach said.The MRH90 conducted launch and recovery procedures on each of the flight deck spots and also practiced a vertical replenishment evolution where an underslung load is moved from one ship to another.
“We haven’t had a ship of this size and capability in the Navy for many years so coordinating the different skills sets to meet the overall command requirements of the ship is one of the challenges we face.”
“I am particularly confident the challenges are being met, the team has been working really well together.”
The main focus of the training was to test Canberra’s newly developed standard operating procedures for multi-spot deck operations, which also included simulated communication with the bridge.
During the week of training the Air Department also received a brief on the MRH90 capabilities and a demonstration of the aircraft’s manual blade fold and spread evolution. It is important for the new Aviation Support personnel to understand the aircraft that will be operating from Canberra’s deck.
The Aviation Support category (AVN) was introduced in 2012 as part of the introduction into service of the LHDs.
“It was realised that a large, multi spot air capable ship would require a significant effort in terms of managing the flight deck, particularly in terms of aircraft movement, aircraft safety and accident response, so the category was stood up to meet that requirement,” CMDR Moggach said.Able Seaman Robert Brook, one of the 45 Air Department personnel onboard Canberra, waited for three years to change category to Aviation Support and is now thrilled to be a part of the Fleet Air Arm.
“Our job involves aircraft movements, first response to any helicopter crash rescue incident on the flight deck and general flight deck and hangar husbandry,” AB Brook said.
“I’m really looking forward to deploying with the LHD, getting out there and doing the job.”
Press Release, June 24, 2014; Image: Australian Navy
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Article 15
Portsmouth-based warship HMS Iron Duke bade a loud farewell to her affiliated island of Jersey as she officially began her six-month operational deployment of the South Atlantic.
HMS Iron Duke will work to promote the nation’s capabilities abroad, and will collaborate with partner nations to develop their armed forces training to defend their own waters.
She may be called upon to lend assistance for humanitarian disasters or tackle piracy on the high seas.
Taking the salute during the 15-gun salute, Sir John Chalmers said in his address to the ship: “HMS Iron Duke was a magnificent sight off La Corbiere as I stood taking the salute flanked by the Bailiff and the Chief Minister.
“I know that the people of Jersey will want me to pass on our very best wishes to; the Captain, and ship’s company, for a successful deployment.
“The next six months will take you through the Northern hemisphere, and the Southern hemisphere, experiencing all seasons and extremes of climate.
“As the Royal Navy has done over the centuries, you will project British presence across the globe, protecting British interests. You will also develop partner nations ability to police their own waters, and stand ready for any contingencies.
“The unexpected may include counter-piracy operations, humanitarian relief, and reaction to hostile forces, and anything else that may arise in this unstable world.”
Press Release, June 24, 2014; Image: UK Navy
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Article 14
The centenary year of the outbreak of the First World War was emphatically marked when 1200 packed Winchester Cathedral for the Hampshire County Service in the presence of the Second Sea Lord and the Army’s Commander Land Forces along with the principal guest, Dame Mary Fagan, the county’s Lord-Lieutenant.
In a poignant close to the service, a lone piper from 19 Regiment, Royal Artillery (The Scottish Gunners) led a procession of Hampshire young people and cadets out through the Great West Door symbolising the determination of that generation to fight and sacrifice their futures for the freedoms people enjoy today.
Press Release, June 24, 2014; Image: UK Navy
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Article 13
U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) will move to Bremerton, Washington, in 2015 for 16 months to conduct a scheduled large-scale maintenance period.
The Navy is working to ensure that the relocation of the aircraft carrier doesn’t interfere with the provision of positive, career enhancing opportunities for the ship’s assigned Sailors and their families.
Navy Personnel Command will release guidance to the aircraft carrier that will specifically address how the transition will influence permanent change of station moves, housing allowances, detailing, exceptional family members, and other personnel-related concerns.
The Navy is making every effort to avoid unnecessary permanent change of station moves for Sailors and their families due to the relocation of the aircraft carrier. The Navy’s goal is to minimize the impact the ship’s relocations will have on personnel.
Nimitz, serving as the flagship for Carrier Strike Group 11, returned to Everett in December 2013 after completing a nine-month Western Pacific deployment to the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th areas of responsibility.
Press Release, June 24, 2014; Image: US Navy
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Article 12
Think DefenceUK Defence Issues and the odd container or twHome / Blog / L119A2 – Colt Canada C8 Upgrade
L119A2 – Colt Canada C8 Upgrade
8 thoughts on “L119A2 – Colt Canada C8 Upgrade”
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http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/british-sas-weapons.asp
http://www.government-online.net/supply-of-modular-assault-rifle-system/
I read recently that it had been put on hold. It was supposed to start delivering weapons this financial year but all went quiet.
I never been able to find who the contenders were.
The C8 upgrade was announced a long way ahead of the MARS project ending.
Interestingly MARS it was to deliver a 5.56 weapon as a standard for the Police as well. At the moment the most Popular is the HK MP5 but this doesn’t have the punch at longer ranges hence why there is a move to 5.56 but its a mixed bag with different forces buying different weapons.
I heard recently that the Sig MPX (https://www.sigsauer.com/Catalog/sig-mpx.aspx) is under evaluation with favourable reports. so perhaps the Police will be sticking with 9mm after all.