Brown Water Navy [Archive] - The Fifth Column

buglerbilly

13-04-10, 06:22 AM

Here's two that haven't quite made it yet and may possibly never do so................

Sweden - Combat Boat 2010 M prototype procurement

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration intended to procure a prototype for a new combat boat, denominated CB 2010 M.

CB 2010 M was complementary to existing combat boats within the amphibious battalion and would have been used as a carrier for seaborne mortar systems.

It was designed for the Swedish national defence as well as participation in FN-missions worldwide. CB 2010 M was to be fitted with armour, protecting the eight soldier crew against small calibre fire arms and fragments. The interior and the crew were also protected from NBC agents. The vessel was to be furnished with a remotely operated stabilized weapon and sensor station (electro-optical sight/.50 calibre MG) and would have also been prepared for a detection, warning and counter measure system.

Preliminary main particulars:

LOA 24.1 m
LWL 20.7 m
Beam 5.24 m
Draught 1.17 (fully loaded)
Displacement 56 tons (fully loaded)
Speed 37 knots (fully loaded)
Propulsion system 2 x high speed diesel engine/water jet
Installed power 2.65 MW (approx)

This is the other earlier rendition..................NOT sure whether this would have been another class or just the first rendition of the above...........

buglerbilly

13-04-10, 06:30 AM

Here's a Civilianised version for Coastguard and Customs use up for sale (or was as of late January this year).............

GREAT Training vessel for someone............oh for a Lottery win!!! :thumbsup

Gubler, A.

13-04-10, 07:57 AM

The CB2010 concepts are those designed by the FMV, the Swedish procurement agency, and though they did put out a RFP to build a prototype cancelled it due to funding shortfalls. Dockstavaret, who build the CB90, did their own design for a larger combat boat able to better operate the AMOS twin 120 mortar turret. This was the CB18M to be available in weapons carrier (AMOS twin 120mm or a turret with what looks like a 30mm), troop carrier (32 dismounts) and patrol boat (IC18M) versions.

Spec sheet

Cannon turret

AMOS mortar turret

Milne Bay

13-04-10, 08:09 AM

Is this the design that Birdon Marine have picked up?
Any likelihood of seeing something like this in the ADF?
MB

Gubler, A.

13-04-10, 08:28 AM

Is this the design that Birdon Marine have picked up?
Any likelihood of seeing something like this in the ADF?

Birdon Marine have local production rights to the CB90 and obviously if something a bit bigger was wanted by the ADF they could work with Dockra for their other designs. As to ADF service there is a JP 2048 Phase 5 in the non-public DCP for raiding and riverine warfare craft and the continued but on the back burner requirement under Project Redfin for SOF infil/exfil capability. Also with the move to a larger 2,000 tonne vessel to replace the patrol boats in the form of the SEA 1180 OCV may focus some more on a requirement for shallow water, littoral patrol boat capability. Something the RAN hasn’t had since the Fairmile motor launches of WW2.

I would imagine that the CB90 is about as big as you want to go for a riverine boat. It has a draft of 0.8m to get into shallow water and its length is probably the greatest limitation it has in brown water. With the forward pilot house it has a low profile so it’s harder to hit. However it is ‘small’ enough to be carried on a heavy truck trailer which is a pretty important capability for a riverine craft.

For the littoral raiding and patrol capability keeping draft under 1.5m is important. And the CB2000 concept with a length of 24m is probably more flexible than the shorter CB18 (18m) and both have a 1.1m draft so you can get in real close to the shore to drop off and pick up. This is the same size as the USN’s MKV SOF craft. Also this size of vessel can easily be designed in Australia and ASC kept their design team busy after Collins designing the Krait SOF craft. Strategic Marine and a hatful of other domestic companies could knock off a pretty good mil spec 80 foot dayboat if needed.

For the next step up in coast patrol, maritime interdiction you might as well go for a 2,000 tonne corvette. Because they can carry a helicopter which is going to out reach and muscle even the best fast attack craft (FAC). Which the RAN has been wanting to do since the late 60s, early 70s and will hopefully get with the SEA 1180 boat.

Weasel

13-04-10, 02:30 PM

Birdon Marine have local production rights to the CB90 and obviously if something a bit bigger was wanted by the ADF they could work with Dockra for their other designs. As to ADF service there is a JP 2048 Phase 5 in the non-public DCP for raiding and riverine warfare craft and the continued but on the back burner requirement under Project Redfin for SOF infil/exfil capability. Also with the move to a larger 2,000 tonne vessel to replace the patrol boats in the form of the SEA 1180 OCV may focus some more on a requirement for shallow water, littoral patrol boat capability. Something the RAN hasn’t had since the Fairmile motor launches of WW2.

I would imagine that the CB90 is about as big as you want to go for a riverine boat. It has a draft of 0.8m to get into shallow water and its length is probably the greatest limitation it has in brown water. With the forward pilot house it has a low profile so it’s harder to hit. However it is ‘small’ enough to be carried on a heavy truck trailer which is a pretty important capability for a riverine craft.

For the littoral raiding and patrol capability keeping draft under 1.5m is important. And the CB2000 concept with a length of 24m is probably more flexible than the shorter CB18 (18m) and both have a 1.1m draft so you can get in real close to the shore to drop off and pick up. This is the same size as the USN’s MKV SOF craft. Also this size of vessel can easily be designed in Australia and ASC kept their design team busy after Collins designing the Krait SOF craft. Strategic Marine and a hatful of other domestic companies could knock off a pretty good mil spec 80 foot dayboat if needed.

For the next step up in coast patrol, maritime interdiction you might as well go for a 2,000 tonne corvette. Because they can carry a helicopter which is going to out reach and muscle even the best fast attack craft (FAC). Which the RAN has been wanting to do since the late 60s, early 70s and will hopefully get with the SEA 1180 boat.
You do realize, right, that you can reduce the draft of relatively very large craft by using the "gas-cavern" (got to love russian-speak) principle developed by the Soviets, way back when? If I recall correctly Australian customs had leased a vessel using this principle in the 80's and they used it quite effectively in the Great Barrier Reef.

A good "home grown" example of dynamic lift which makes the CB-90 ho hum is the Stolkraft guy on the Gold Coast (South Port(??)), Queensland Australia. Whatever happened to them, I do not know. But the dynamic lift principle demonstrated by it and later the "W" hull form of USNs "Stealth Boat" would have good applications in shallow water. Also (If I'm not mistaken) the Fremantle pilots in WA use a boat of this hull form.

e.g.
and

and

cheers

w

buglerbilly

13-04-10, 04:17 PM

Better shot of the USN's craft W-form............

Also (If I'm not mistaken) the Fremantle pilots in WA use a boat of this hull form.

Hey Big W,

I don't think Freo have that vessel any more, see here........?

http://www.fremantleports.com.au/education/secondary/smallcraft.asp

buglerbilly

13-04-10, 04:39 PM

The new landing craft design from BMT seems to have a hybrid W-form...................makes our puppy look a bit "lacking" to say the least!!! Even without the problems they currently have.......

BMT unveils new Fast Landing Craft design

18:39 GMT, March 16, 2010

BMT Nigel Gee Ltd and BMT Defence Services Ltd, subsidiaries of BMT Group Ltd, the leading international maritime design, engineering and risk management consultancy, have unveiled their new design for a highly capable Fast Landing Craft (FLC).

Contracted by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) the BMT team developed a novel, tri-bow monohull platform using a parent hull-form derived from an internal BMT research and development programme, which included model tests to optimise performance.

Ed Dudson, Technical Director at BMT Nigel Gee, says: "Sized to occupy a similar footprint to the existing LCU Mk10 and thus capable of operating with UK amphibious support vessels, our innovative design meets the demanding UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) requirement for an FLC with high transit speed and high payload capacity whilst demonstrating excellent on-beach stability."

Made from aluminium for light weight and strength, BMT's specially developed FLC hull-form design allows:

• High-speed, heavy-payload operations (up to 28.5 knots fully fuelled and carrying four all-terrain vehicles, or up to 22 knots fully fuelled and carrying a main battle tank);
• Minimum speed loss in rougher seas (less than 1 knot speed reduction in Sea State 4);
• Excellent sea-keeping and manoeuvrability characteristics;
• On-beach stability.

Other features include:

• Three high-speed MTU diesel engines coupled to waterjets, providing reliability and redundancy;
• Dependable, easily accessible machinery.

BMT has a pedigree in independent naval design, strong technical capability, proven record of innovation and extensive portfolio of designs, particularly for high-speed vessels. BMT was awarded this important MOD contract as part of a DE&S Design Solutions Study to determine viable hull forms to satisfy a FLC requirement.

The MOD will, as part of its FLC Concept Phase, conduct a cost and performance based appraisal of this design with other options determined in the FLC Design Solutions Study.

buglerbilly

13-04-10, 04:50 PM

PACSCAT is very much an opposing design............

11 October 09
QinetiQ's PACSCAT technology demonstrator takes to the water

The PACSCAT (Partial Air Cushion Supported CATamaran) Innovative Solution Demonstrator Craft (ISDC) has just entered the water for the first time at the Hythe Marine Park, near Southampton and will shortly commence rigorous sea trials. QinetiQ was awarded the contract to manage the design and build of the vessel and then conduct a series of evaluation trials in September 2007.

The high speed, all aluminium PACSCAT ISDC vessel is 30m long, 7.7m in the beam, has a design vehicle payload of 55 tonnes and an approximate loaded weight of 175 tonnes. It is propelled by twin waterjets, driven by MTU Diesel engines and is designed to test at full scale the hydrodynamics of the PACSCAT hullform and to investigate its feasibility to deliver significantly faster speeds than traditional landing craft. The vessel makes use of the PACSCAT concept originated by John Lewthwaite of Independent Maritime Assessment Associates Ltd.

The original fast landing craft design requirement was to accommodate up to five Viking armoured fighting vehicles. It is intended to off-load front line vehicles and troops from Royal Navy amphibious ships to the beach and is in response to the MOD’s requirement to launch rapid and effective amphibious operations from over the horizon.

QinetiQ was contracted by the MOD’s Research Acquisition Organisation, (now the Defence Technology Innovation Centre) to manage the procurement of the demonstrator vessel, act as the design authority and to manage the all important safety process and trials programme. QinetiQ then invited competitive bids from companies in the shipbuilding sector, to bring a broad mix of experience to the project. Griffon Hoverwork Ltd, the world leaders in hovercraft construction, lead the construction team and are also fitting out the vessel. They joined with Aluminium Shipbuilders Ltd for the hull construction; BMT Nigel Gee Ltd provided the detailed design; and BMT Marine Projects Ltd undertook project management support for Griffon Hoverwork Ltd.

“The PACSCAT concept is a leading contender to meet the MOD’s fast landing craft requirement. It will be capable of performing a variety of roles, where high speed and high payload capacity are required and has exceptional beaching qualities because of its low and variable draught,” explained Iain Kennedy, practice leader for QinetiQ’s Maritime Platforms Consultancy business. “The industry partners are all working well together and the trials of the full-sized PACSCAT ISDC that start later this year will determine the performance of the PACSCAT hullform at full scale and the relevant operational capability. We will then provide comprehensive recommendations for design optimisation to inform the Fast Landing Craft IPT’s requirements engineering and procurement process.”

Weasel

13-04-10, 06:20 PM

PACSCAT is very much an opposing design............

Hey thanks re: the links above Bug. And the Stiletto guys call their craft an "M design"... Six of one, half dozen of the other.

Re: Landing craft (specifically vehicular transfer craft) one of the primary force multiplers is allowing vehicles onboard the vessel use their combat systems. Not easily done, but then again, not impossible. Especially if the landing craft is inherently stable in the longitudinal axis ( as well as te obvious rolling axis).

This kind of rules out planing hulls for allowing every ground vehicle to use it's weapons because of the pitch angle (e.g. You would need something fairly tall like an LAV or ASLAV to be able to fire over the ramp) but these dynamic lift vessels are all the bomb for a low technical risk modding of your ASLAV or whatever to compensate for pitch and roll.

Think about it. Why buy a lot of purpose built brown water craft that have a fancy AMOS system on it, when you can build a small landing craft that can just roll said AMOS system on to it that happens to be on an 8x8 LAV? It takes the term "mission modules" to a whole new (and practical) level.

cheers

w

Gubler, A.

14-04-10, 02:04 AM

Weasel

14-04-10, 03:38 AM

I'd be pretty dubious about using a planning hull – even a M/Stiletto/Stolkraft type – in riverine waters because it needs a bit of speed to lift the hull out of water. What is the draft when creeping along at 5 knots?

But apart from draft one of the most important characteristics of a riverine boat is turning circle. Rivers tend to have a lot less width than the open sea and the ability to turn – literarily – on a dime is very important when confronted by obstacles. That and a fast astern capability. Narrow beam doesn’t hurt either.

Of course for your littoral, offshore reef hopper something like the M type is probably very competitive and its wake reduction capability is pretty good as well. But another dimensional limitation on this type of vessel is the ability to be lifted out of the water for maintenance in forward deployed areas. These boats take a hammering and are especially vulnerable to marine growth. If your boat needs to be twice as big to plan on a M hull then you are going to need a bigger tender and so on. The littoral combat boat doesn’t need to have a landing craft capability but just get close enough to shore so it can shoot people up and so the landing party doesn’t need to motor all day in their RHIBs to get on dry land.

We need to dig up some old stolkraft video. From memory (1980's memory) The thing had a draft of a few inches san propellers and can stop from any speed in its own length, not unlike a hovercraft, where you just dump it (Got some interesting insurance stories there from a car club that insisted on unlashing their cars just as the hovercraft was coming into port and then the oldman had to do an emergency stop.... lol)

The "Gas Cavern" concept the Soviets used basically uses the exhaust gases as lift and then to reduce friction along the hull at speed. Apart from having an underwater acoustic signature that drowns out everything else (think cicadas or supercavitating underwater transport vehicle), you can achieve very shallow drafts as well. At 5 knots you would just redirect the thrust straight down, not unlike your good old F-35 Lightning II. Fouling (funnily enough) is (or was) an issue with this type as the exhaust atmosphere and water encouraged the growth of slime on the hull.

cheers

w

Gubler, A.

14-04-10, 04:20 AM

There's video here:

http://www.mshipco.com/in_the_news.html

Including a cool advert: "Get 25 Stilletos for the price of 1 LCS"...

I do recall that M Ships built a prototype M hull boat of about 11m/40' in length sized like your typical big RHIB/Cigarette/CB90 that could be the right size for riverine ops. The M80 Stilleto looks a bit too big for up and down rivers but ideal for littoral ops. Especially with the 20 tonne payload and 200 m2 enclosed mission deck space.

A quick search of the ole power point library turns up:

Gubler, A.

14-04-10, 04:34 AM

From the old forum (where are all those posts...):

Weasel

14-04-10, 02:40 PM

Does the Office of Force Transfomation even still exist? I wonder if that is why we haven't heard anything new about the Stiletto?

cheers

w

Gubler, A.

14-04-10, 11:49 PM

Does the Office of Force Transfomation even still exist? I wonder if that is why we haven't heard anything new about the Stiletto?

OFT's webpage is down so it looks terminal. Stiletto is hacked to Southern Command doing anti-drug runs.

Weasel

15-04-10, 02:37 AM

OFT's webpage is down so it looks terminal. Stiletto is hacked to Southern Command doing anti-drug runs.
Southern Command? Huh... Small world.

Anyway back on topic. What are the Navies to your North using for Brown water?... And has anyone heard of India doing brown water stuff?

I do agree that OTS, the CB-90 and examples above from Finland seem to be the bomb. I also like the well dock idea on the stiletto to transport it to the area of operations.. I would think being able to transport 2 boats and have some sort of helo extraction capability would be ideal.

cheers

w

McDethWivFries

15-04-10, 02:51 AM

I gotta say I'm loving this thread! Use to get the old "Fire Power" mags when I was a kid and really loved the one on Vietnam era riverine craft... fishing with an M60? Hell yes! (o:

buglerbilly

15-04-10, 03:06 AM

Southern Command? Huh... Small world.

Anyway back on topic. What are the Navies to your North using for Brown water?... And has anyone heard of India doing brown water stuff?

cheers

w

Details of India's Coast Guard is here...............

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Link1.html

They appear to be modelled more closely on the USCG than anyone else which is probably the more accurate comparison to be modelled on.

They also have a substantial building programme underway to boost capability sans the Mumbai terrorist attack.

Also this is about to happen: -

Joint Exercise Will Test India's Coastal Security

By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI

Published: 14 Apr 2010 13:31

NEW DELHI - A major joint exercise off India's Arabian Sea coast is intended to strengthen vigilance against terrorists who might try to infiltrate the country from the sea.

The Indian Coast Guard will conduct the joint coastal security exercise April 15-16 along the coast of Gujarat, Daman and Diu, according to an official Coast Guard news release. The Indian Navy, Coastal Police and other Indian security agencies also will participate.

The exercise will include mock drills to test the security forces' joint response to offensive actions.

The terrorists who staged the Nov. 26, 2008, attacks in Mumbai, India, arrived by sea, and since the incident, planners here have put top priority on strengthening maritime security. India has established regular, high-level reviews of its coastal security.

Weapons, vessels and other equipment have been purchased on a fast-track basis for the Coast Guard, which will buy 30 helicopters, 20 Fast Interceptor boats, 10 Fast Track Patrol vessels and five Offshore vessels.

Gubler, A.

15-04-10, 03:27 AM

Anyway back on topic. What are the Navies to your North using for Brown water?... And has anyone heard of India doing brown water stuff?

Most of the brown water fleet in SE Asia is patrol boat/FAC based with quite a few helicopter equipped corvettes. There has been a bit of focus recently in inshore boats to cover reef and other shallow waters for maritime security missions, especially in Sri Lanka and the pirate rich areas (Malacca and the South Phillipines). Riverine assets are limited because there are only a few river systems with multi-national access. These are limited to the Mekong (VietNam, Cambodia and Laos) and the rivers draining into northern Borneo (Malaysia and Brunei). The Philippines have been trying to acquire Flordia/Louisania style swamp fan boats and even tried to get the Australian Army to provide some!

The Indian Navy has brought a few (~6) Super Dvora class inshore patrol boats. Similar to those used by Sri Lanka so successfully against the LTTE. IN’s focus seems to be on more blue water high prestige programs.

Weasel

15-04-10, 04:30 AM

Details of India's Coast Guard is here...............

http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/NAVY/Link1.html

They appear to be modelled more closely on the USCG than anyone else which is probably the more accurate comparison to be modelled on.

They also have a substantial building programme underway to boost capability sans the Mumbai terrorist attack.

Also this is about to happen: -
Thanks Bug.

Most of the brown water fleet in SE Asia is patrol boat/FAC based with quite a few helicopter equipped corvettes. There has been a bit of focus recently in inshore boats to cover reef and other shallow waters for maritime security missions, especially in Sri Lanka and the pirate rich areas (Malacca and the South Phillipines). Riverine assets are limited because there are only a few river systems with multi-national access. These are limited to the Mekong (VietNam, Cambodia and Laos) and the rivers draining into northern Borneo (Malaysia and Brunei). The Philippines have been trying to acquire Flordia/Louisania style swamp fan boats and even tried to get the Australian Army to provide some!

The Indian Navy has brought a few (~6) Super Dvora class inshore patrol boats. Similar to those used by Sri Lanka so successfully against the LTTE. IN’s focus seems to be on more blue water high prestige programs.

All righty then. So what is Australia's mission, again? It would seem that a large portion of it is not really brown water stuff, but more mud flat- coastal interface- cum-reef patrol.

Australia has very few large river systems , right? So we are talking interdiction, or maybe SOF operations in other nations.

For patrol around the coastal mud flats and the reefs, it would seem to me that you need to go with a hovercraft or similar vessel like the transformer doohicky does everything vessel that all the folks at NSW would skin me alive for forgetting the name....lol

The Russian Zubr, would seem to fit the patrol bill for the coastal environs experienced around Northern Coast of Australia and the Indonesian Archipeligo, but it's range is too small.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zubr_class_LCAC

yes, I use Wiki all the time :P

But regarding range: In a reef environment, a hovercraft can straight line it (as we all know), but that in fact sometimes works out to an 8 to 1 (and sometimes more) distance travelled advantage over a shallow draft boat.

So like the Cb-90 and the M-12, M-14 series you are again, going to need a tender. For a hovercraft of any seakeeping ocean transit size (like the Zubr or LCAC) it is going to be a fuel tender. For the riverine boats it's going to be a mother ship.

cheers

w

buglerbilly

16-08-10, 03:50 PM

MoD Takes Delivery of QinetiQ's PACSCAT Technology Demonstrator

(Source: QinetiQ; issued Aug. 16, 2010)

Following the successful completion of initial manoeuvring and propulsion trials, QinetiQ’s PACSCAT (Partial Air Cushion Supported CATamaran) Innovative Solution Demonstrator Craft (ISDC) was accepted as a trials vessel by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) on 10 August. It will now undergo a series of tough practical evaluation trials through to the end of 2010 at the Royal Marines facilities at Instow, Devon.

QinetiQ was awarded the contract to manage the design and build of the PACSCAT landing craft ISDC in September 2007 and working alongside Griffon Hoverwork Ltd at their base in Hythe, Southampton, has just completed a series of contractor evaluation trials that included spending in excess of 100 hours at sea. The trials saw the team progressively operate the PACSCAT ISDC at unloaded speeds exceeding 30 kts in Sea State 2. An MOD crew were also trained to operate PACSCAT, and operating procedures were endorsed by Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) – the Royal Navy team that provides operational sea training.

"The handover is the culmination of many years of hard work and dedication to develop a new type of fast and functional landing craft,” explained Chris Ross, chief naval architect at QinetiQ. “The PACSCAT ISDC is generating interest in the military and commercial sectors where customers are looking to incorporate the innovative partial air cushion concepts into their own future vessels to enable them to benefit from higher speeds, heavier payloads and manoeuvrability.”

The contractor evaluation trials demonstrated that the PACSCAT solution could operate within the required specification. The MOD will now undertake extensive trials – which QinetiQ will oversee – designed to further understand the vessel’s capabilities with vehicles embarked. The trials will test PACSCAT's ability to perform a variety of roles focussed on the potential advantages of low and variable draught (for example in situations where high speed and high payload capacities are required in conjunction with exceptional beaching qualities.)

On completion of trials and as part of the Fast Landing Craft Concept Phase, the MOD will conduct a cost and performance-based appraisal of this solution with other options determined in the MOD Fast Landing Craft Design Solutions Study.

The high speed, all aluminium PACSCAT ISDC vessel is 30m long, 7.7m in the beam, has a design vehicle payload of 55 tonnes and an approximate loaded weight of 175 tonnes. It is propelled by twin MJP water jets, driven by Diesel engines manufactured by MTU.

The fast landing craft design requirement is to off-load front line vehicles from Royal Navy amphibious ships to the beach. The Innovative Solution Demonstrator Craft is designed to test at full scale the hydrodynamics of the PACSCAT hull form and to investigate its feasibility to deliver significantly faster speeds than traditional landing craft. The vessel makes use of the PACSCAT concept originated by John Lewthwaite of Independent Maritime Assessment Associates Ltd.

QinetiQ was contracted by the MOD’s Research Acquisition Organisation to manage the procurement of the demonstrator vessel, act as the design authority and manage the all-important safety process and trials programme. QinetiQ then invited competitive bids from companies in the shipbuilding sector to bring a broad mix of experience to the project.

Griffon Hoverwork Ltd, the world leaders in hovercraft construction, led the construction team and undertook the fit-out, setting to work and commissioning of the craft. They partnered with Aluminium Shipbuilders Ltd for the hull construction; BMT Nigel Gee Ltd for detailed design; and BMT Marine Projects Ltd for project management support.

-ends-

buglerbilly

17-08-10, 07:57 AM

More on this from Defense Update...........

The PACSCAT based Innovative Solution Demonstrator Craft (ISDC) returning from sea trials. Photo: QinetiQ.

Air Cushion, CATamaran Contribute to an Innovative British Hybrid Landing Craft Design

Super video attached to this! When can we buy some?!!!

An innovative high speed landing craft soon to be tested by the British MOD will enable the Navy to explore the feasibility of operating a hybrid vessel combining air cushion and CATamaran hull offering landing crafts higher speed, heavier loads and better seakeeping. Known as 'Partial Air Cushion Supported CATamaran (PACSCAT), the new vessel was developed by QinetiQ as an Innovative Solution Demonstrator Craft (ISDC).

The Navy requires fast landing crafts to off-load front line vehicles from Royal Navy amphibious ships to the beach. The ISDC is designed to test at full scale the hydrodynamics of the PACSCAT hull form, originated by John Lewthwaite of Independent Maritime Assessment Associates Ltd., and to investigate its feasibility to deliver significantly faster speeds than traditional landing craft.

QinetiQ is working on the PACSCAT design since 2007 as it was selected as the prime contractor for the ISDC. The company has been working alongside hovercraft specialist Griffon Hoverwork Ltd at their base in Hythe in Southampton. The aluminium hull was constructed by Aluminium Shipbuilders Ltd. The experimental vessel has recently completed over 100 hours at sea, in contractor evaluation sea trials, gradually reaching unloaded speeds exceeding 30 kts in Sea State 2.

The high speed, all aluminium PACSCAT ISDC vessel is 30m long, 7.7m in the beam, has a design vehicle payload of 55 tonnes and an approximate loaded weight of 175 tonnes. It is propelled by twin MJP water jets, driven by Diesel engines manufactured by MTU.

Testing is scheduled to undergo evaluation trials through the end of 2010 at the Royal Marines facilities at Instow, Devon. As part of these tests the ISDC will perform a variety of roles focused on the potential advantages of low and variable draught (for example in situations where high speed and high payload capacities are required in conjunction with exceptional beaching qualities.) On completion of trials and as part of the Fast Landing Craft Concept Phase, the MOD will conduct a cost and performance-based appraisal of this solution with other options determined in the MOD Fast Landing Craft Design Solutions Study.

© Copyright 2010 - Defense Update, Lance & Shield Ltd.

buglerbilly

25-08-10, 03:01 PM

Babcock Wins Aerial Delivery System Contract

(Source: Babcock International; issued Aug. 24, 2010)

Babcock has been awarded a post-design support contract by the UK Ministry of Defence for the Small Boat Aerial Delivery System (SBADS) that the company is currently delivering under an earlier, competitively-won contract.

Babcock is currently delivering 186 units of its innovative aerial drop system, SBADS, to the MoD. The system has been designed by Babcock's Integrated Technology team to deliver small rigid and inflatable hulled boats safely to the ocean from military transport aircraft. It was selected by the MoD after competitive trials, in which it out-performed other air-drop system solutions.

The modular system features a novel deceleration mechanism that can be adjusted to control deceleration rates on impact with the water, to avoid damage to the payload on landing. A unique, patented, twin V-form flexible sheet provides low deceleration and hence low landing forces initially, and then higher deceleration to prevent payload submersion.

The system is modular to handle larger payloads, or to enable a variety of payloads to be dropped, from life rafts and medical equipment containers to boats over 12ft long with outboard motors fitted ready for action. The modules are designed to be compatible with the Hercules and Airbus A400M or other aircraft equipped with the standard 108 inch cargo handling system, and could easily be modified to suit other aircraft. The modules can be fitted with floats to allow recovery and re-use during training exercises, or can be configured to sink during operations.

Babcock has developed a manufacturing process for the SBADS using a range of purpose designed welding jigs and fixtures that 'standardises' production, to enable rapid delivery while maintaining quality. Approximately half of the systems ordered have been delivered to date, exceeding expectations.

Babcock has now been awarded a post-design support contract for the SBADS under which the company will provide engineering support to SBADS until at least October 2014. An important part of this contract includes looking at development of the system and use of the innovative design aspects of SBADS with other items of equipment that need to be air-dropped.

Babcock Integrated Technology project manager Roger Taylor comments: "The SBADS system is the latest thing in aerial delivery, meeting the need to protect the payload and integrate with the aircraft exceptionally well, and has been very well received by the customer. We are now looking to apply this technology for other air drop applications, building on the system's versatility and potential to be extended to cover a range of boats and other equipment."

Noting the ability to control deceleration rates to protect the payload, and its modularity to handle a variety of payloads, Allan Brocklebank, project manager from the Hercules and TriStar Project Team, remarked: "The SBADS system is the best thing we've seen in aerial delivery in 20 years."

-ends-

buglerbilly

14-09-10, 05:24 PM

Textron Marine & Land Systems, L-3 Communications add Alcoa Defense to SSC Team

(Source: Textron; issued September 13, 2010)

NEW ORLEANS & NEW YORK --- Textron Marine & Land Systems, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. company, today joined L-3 Communications to announce the addition of Alcoa Defense, a business of Alcoa, to the team pursuing the U.S. Navy’s next-generation landing craft, the Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC).

“With more than 100,000 lbs of aluminum in every craft, you want to make sure you have the undisputed world leader in aluminum on your team,” said Textron Marine & Land Systems General Manager Tom Walmsley. “With Alcoa’s unsurpassed knowledge of aluminum production and performance, proven design capability and advanced product manufacturing know-how, they are an integral part of our team’s low risk and life cycle focused approach to SSC.”

As a business segment of the world’s largest aluminum company, Alcoa Defense is a leader in designing, developing and manufacturing high-performance aluminum structures optimized for cost and weight. Alcoa Defense brings a proven track record in systems and materials solutions to the team, offering its advanced manufacturing and structural design support, as well as materials and sub-assembly supply options for fabrication and assembly.

“Textron Marine & Land Systems and L-3 together are the experienced leaders in heavy lift air cushion design, engineering, manufacturing and integration,” said Alcoa Defense Director Jimmy Williams. “Alcoa Defense gives the team another way to optimize the SSC design. With an unmatched combination of proven design tools and new manufacturing technologies, this team has the capability to minimize craft weight and maximize cost savings that have not only been achieved on the LCAC program, but more recently in Alcoa Defense’s case, the Littoral Combat Ship and Joint High Speed Vessel.”

The SSC is planned to be the functional replacement for the Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC), the cornerstone of the U.S. amphibious program for more than 20 years, providing a revolutionary means for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps to land at more than 80 percent of the world's shorelines. LCAC has fulfilled a critical role in tactical operations and humanitarian relief efforts across the globe.

The SSC program, with its amphibious lift requirement, will provide the surface assault portion of the Joint Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare tactical solution with the capability to project and sustain military operations from the sea, independent of tides, water depth, underwater obstacles, or beach gradient. An SSC detailed design and construction contract for the lead test and training craft is expected to be awarded in 2011.

Alcoa Defense partners with industry leaders to design systems and materials that increase the speed, reach, agility and survivability of strategic platforms. Through an unmatched combination of defense and commercial engineering, Alcoa delivers multi-product, lightweight and cost-effective solutions for programs ranging from the F35 Joint Strike Fighter to the M777 Howitzer to armored tactical and fighting vehicles.

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications employs approximately 67,000 people worldwide and is a prime contractor in C3ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems, aircraft modernization and maintenance, and government services. The company reported 2009 sales of $15.6 billion.

Textron Marine & Land Systems specializes in the design, production and support of advanced marine craft, armored combat vehicles, turrets and related subsystems. Textron Marine & Land Systems serves military and commercial customers domestically and internationally, and has products operating in more than 35 countries worldwide.

-ends-

buglerbilly

12-10-10, 04:45 AM

Swedish Combat Boats Loaned Overseas

(Source: Thelocal.se; issued Oct. 11, 2010)

A Swedish Combat Boat 90 suspended from the davits of the Dutch navy’s amphibious ship Johan De Witt during a recent evaluation by the Dutch Marines. (Swedish Defence Forces photo)

Two Swedish Combat Boat 90s (StridsBåt 90, CB 90) have been loaned to the UK and the Netherlands for six months.

The boats have been rebuilt so that they can be taken aboard major warships. The possibility of military cooperation with the two countries is expected to increase as a result of the loan.

"It is a way for Sweden to be able to support military operations," Kristofer Gattberg, project manager at the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Forsvaretsmaterielverk, FMV), told the TT news agency.

FMV has permitted the building of fast military assault craft, in the case the CB90 model. They can now be hoisted on board larger British and Dutch warships, required for departure to international efforts around the world.

Over the next six months, the boats will be tested by the British and Dutch navies.

British and Dutch personnel, including divers, have already received training on a CB90 in Sweden. The boats are suitable for coastal operations and military purposes, such as for disasters or pirate and terrorist threats. They can be used to transport people, medical care, command location and a complete weapons system.

For Dockstavarvet, a shipyard that builds boats, the tests represent the opening up of possible export markets. Previously, the CB90 model has been exported to Mexico, Malaysia, Norway and Greece and is used for military or Coast Guard purposes. (ends)

A Boost for Combat Boat

(Source: Swedish Marine Regiment; issued Oct. 8, 2010)

(Issued in Swedish only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)

The development of the Dutch Navy has reached a further step with regard to combat boats. Recently, trials were carried out to lift combat boats with the small boat davits of the Dutch navy’s amphibious warfare ship Johan de Witt. The exercises are called for Multinational Operational Experimentation, MOE.

The combat boats have a wide range of missions, from troop transports to ambulance, command and control platform and, at least for the Swedish armed forces, direct combat.

Other nations have a long history of growing interest in the Swedish combat boat concept. Several maritime nations, including Britain and the Netherlands, have seconded to Sweden’s Marine Regiment at various times in order to learn both how to run and how to manage the entire combat boat system.

Great interest

Earlier CB90 docking exercises with Johan de Witt’s sister ship, Rotterdam, most recently in Sweden, have been highly successful. However, it is important that the whole concept be evaluated as there is a strong interest in acquiring combat boats for the Dutch Navy. In addition to docking, the mother ship could also transport the CB90s over great distances. The idea is for the CB90 combat boat to replace the somewhat outdated Dutch landing craft.

Impressed

The trials with the combat boats in the Netherlands were followed with great interest by General A. G van Ede, who is Deputy Naval Commander of the Netherlands. “I am very impressed with the boat's combat ability and flexibility, he said.

From a Dutch perspective, there is only one drawback to the CB90 combat boat compared to their current landing craft: there is no possibility of transporting vehicles to because of the CB90’s relatively small size. Otherwise, CB90 is far superior.

Dutch divers also conducted tests of the CB90 to see if it can serve as a diving platform, and they were also very pleased with the results.

These completed tests will provide more opportunities for joint actions between Sweden and the Netherlands, whose amphibious battalions will thus take another major step towards interoperability. (ends)

UK, Holland Test Swedish Combat Boats

(Source: Swedish Radio Corp.; issued Oct. 10, 2010)

The Swedish Defence Material Administration have loaned out two combat ships to Great Britain and the Netherlands for their marines to try out.

News agency TT reports that cooperation among the countries looks like it will increase. "It's a way for Sweden to be able to support in military operations," says Kristofer Gattberg, a project leader for the Material Administration.

The combat ships can be hoisted aboard larger battle ships and deployed during military operations, emergencies, and terrorist or pirate threats. Depending on the situation, the ships can be used to transport people or medical supplies. Or, they can be used as a weapons system, reports news agency TT.

The ships' manufacturer says wider export is possible. Already, this model has been exported to Mexico, Malaysia, Norway and Greece for use in guarding the coast or carrying out military operations.

-ends-

buglerbilly

14-10-10, 02:21 AM

SOCOM Looking for New Combatant Craft

The spec ops community is pinging industry for ideas on a new Combatant Craft Medium Mk-1that is intended to replace the ageing NSW Rigid Hull Inflatable boat made famous by zooming frogmen and riverine units.............basic details as follows.............more info at link

But from the new documents on the program, it looks as if the current configuration of the CCM Mk-1 will have an objective range of 600 nm without reserve fuel, carry up to 19 pax with four crew, travel at around 50 knots and cost in the $4 million per boat and trailer range.

Whereas the RIB is C-130 transportable, the CCM Mk-1 will be transported in a C-17 with its FMTV “prime mover.” The command plans to purchase 30 Mk-1s and supply eight boats per squadron, the documents show. SOCOM plans to start production of the Mk-1 in 2015.

– Christian

Read more: http://defensetech.org/#ixzz12HuLKqjr
Defense.org

Weasel

14-10-10, 04:27 AM

buglerbilly

14-10-10, 03:46 PM

Swedish Battle Boats Starts Trials in Netherlands and UK

(Source: FMV; issued Oct. 14, 2010) (Edited for clarity—Ed)

FMV's official comment............

In future international operations Swedish combat craft may be used but it must be possible to load and unload the boats on larger ships for further transport. Two Swedish combat boats are now being tested in the Netherlands and in UK.

FMV has allowed the Swedish Dockstavarvet shipyard to rebuild two combat boats of the CB90 model. The boats have been upgraded so that they can be lifted with existing davits on Dutch and British ships. Sweden is lending two boats for six month trials in the Netherlands and Great Britain.

“The trials aim to verify that the boats can be winched on board the larger ships," said Kristofer Gattberg, Project Manager at FMV. Meanwhile, the two countries have the opportunity to look closely at the Swedish combat boats.

Future challenges at sea, and in coastal areas such as disaster areas, threats from pirates and terrorists requires cooperation between countries. The Swedish Armed Forces Amphibious regiment already has a good cooperation with their colleagues in the Netherlands and Great Britain. The Swedish combat boats have attracted considerable interest in both countries.

Both the Dutch and the British navy want to be able to operate in coastal areas and they need to supplement their landing craft with some kind of combat craft. There is also the requirement that boats be easily taken on board the larger vessel to be moved over the longer distances associated with international operations.

“Within FMV and the Swedish Armed Forces this project is about learning for the future. The redevelopment of the CB90 significantly will expand the use of the boat. The boats can easily be loaded and unloaded and be used anywhere in the world, "said Kristofer Gattberg.

In the autumn Swedish, Dutch and British Amphibious squadrons will practice together.

-ends-

Video of an earlier 2007 test by the RM............

buglerbilly

19-10-10, 01:24 AM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Find Your Sealegs

Posted by Christina Mackenzie at 10/18/2010 11:03 AM CDT

This strange looking creature will be on show at Euronaval next week. It's made by a New Zealand company called Sealegs, which claims to be the world's largest manufacturer of amphibious vessels. The photo shows the vessel in use with the Malaysian armed forces.
The company's patented (and proven) amphibious technology is based on marinised hydraulic cylinders which raise and lower all wheels (much like an aircraft) and hydraulic steering which controls both the front wheel on land and the outboard on water. They are seaworthy up to sea state 4 and in wind speeds up to Beaufort 3.

These craft come in two sizes: a 6.13 (20ft 1”) meters long RIB (rigid inflatable boat) with a maximum payload of 500 kgs (1,100 lbs), a top speed of 65 kph (40 mph) on water and which can carry two adults; and a 7.13 meter (23ft 5”) RIB with a top water speed of 78 kph (48 mph), a maximum payload of 700 kg (1,540 lbs) and which can carry eight adults. They both have a top forward and reverse land speed of 10 kph (6 mph).

Both sizes can also be provided in an all aluminium version which are a few inches longer.

By the way, these boats also come in a recreational version, so you do not even need to get your feet wet to get into your craft from that tropical beech. I'm afraid I don't know how much they cost. I'll find out at Euronaval and get back to you.

photo credits: Sealegs

ADMk2

19-10-10, 03:35 AM

A company up in the Whitsunday's has been running one of these for a while now. It's restricted to about 10kph on land...

buglerbilly

19-10-10, 03:46 AM

Yup, the use is more for getting across estuary, marsh and other surfaces where normal vehicles may have difficulty, and for beaches where it may be more efficient to drive on/drive off...........Rescue being one of those instances.

Riđđu

22-10-10, 02:04 PM

All righty then. So what is Australia's mission, again? It would seem that a large portion of it is not really brown water stuff, but more mud flat- coastal interface- cum-reef patrol.

Australia has very few large river systems , right? So we are talking interdiction, or maybe SOF operations in other nations.

For patrol around the coastal mud flats and the reefs, it would seem to me that you need to go with a hovercraft or similar vessel like the transformer doohicky does everything vessel that all the folks at NSW would skin me alive for forgetting the name....lol

[...]

So like the Cb-90 and the M-12, M-14 series you are again, going to need a tender. For a hovercraft of any seakeeping ocean transit size (like the Zubr or LCAC) it is going to be a fuel tender. For the riverine boats it's going to be a mother ship.

Yeah, this equipment stuff is all very nice but how they actually intent to operate in brown water environment? For example I´ve been fishing and sailing in the archipelago quite often but I have no idea how to use amphibious forces there.

You know, doctrine, training and things like that. Conducting military logistics might be interesting. Apparently the Swedes have developed that capability during the last years.

buglerbilly

23-10-10, 03:54 AM

Navy Demos Algae-Fueled Boat

The fuel use is interesting but the fact its a CB90 in US service almost more interesting albeit Experimental...........

In a move the service says is part of its strategy to float a “Green Fleet” by 2016, the US Navy demoed for media today a boat that runs — in part — on algae.

The so-called Riverine Command Boat — Experimental, or RCB-X, runs its engines on 50 percent “algae-based” fuel and 50 percent F-76 diesel fuel................

Read more: http://defensetech.org/#ixzz138uR3jE0
Defense.org

Weasel

23-10-10, 06:39 AM

Yeah, this equipment stuff is all very nice but how they actually intent to operate in brown water environment? For example I´ve been fishing and sailing in the archipelago quite often but I have no idea how to use amphibious forces there.

You know, doctrine, training and things like that. Conducting military logistics might be interesting. Apparently the Swedes have developed that capability during the last years.

kachung kachun (sound of gears changing)... It's been awhile, but yeh, operating in coastal environs is logistic intensive. Fuel burn for one is high, so it is difficult to maintain presence unless you have a base of some sort.

On the other hand there are a bunch of new propulsion technologies coming out that might lead to that equation being changed. For example: the report on the Japanese submarine fleet presumes that older submarines will become more expensive to maintain. Maybe not as if the Japanese get smart (on one part of that cost) they can use engine technologies that can fit through a hatch and re-engine those submarines.... so the old nemesis of diesel-electrics (of engine failure) is not such a big bogey man.

To be kind, the journo writing the story probably doesn't know that.

The other part of the equation that is changing is hull form and the actual method of moving across or through the water. The CB-90 is old news (although I am a fan). Now we have legitimate programs coming online such as super-cavitating hulls and other friction reducing-through-ventilation technologies that reduce that logistical burden on a coastal "exploration" force.

You only have to look at what has happened to the EFV program to see that. Instead of an excessively complicated amphibious vehicle, we can just use track propulsion again to achieve the same result. It is the same paradigm that happened to the rail industry with the investigation of Mag-Lev in the 70's and then the enabling breakthroughs that were made in France for rolling stock and the TGV. Wheels are cheaper, so we use the TGV.

Anyway, littoral combat means presence and that means logistics. In other words, it is very difficult to maintain a blanket or domination of an area, so now you are forced to have "go-fast" and quick response platforms and then you need to support those platforms.

In all honesty, I don't think the LCS is too far off the mark.

Make a boat
Make a boat that can be adapted to a mission
Make a boat that can launch other smaller boats
Make a boat that can act as a tender to those little boats
Make a boat that can launch a helo(s) or "launch something that can respond faster than a boat"
But with regard to the logistical tail, all it does is move the real meat of support a little further away from the brown water arena.

cheers

w

buglerbilly

27-10-10, 02:23 AM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

The Boat James Bond Could Not Use

Posted by Christina Mackenzie at 10/26/2010 10:00 AM CDT

photo credit: xsmgworld

This is the boat that you did not see in the last James Bond film ... but you can see it at the Euronaval show which opened in Paris today where its British inceptors, XSMG World, have finally decided that discussions with future clients are sufficiently advanced that they can take the wraps off the vessel and show it in public for the first time.

Ian Sanderson, who was kind enough to show me the boat, inside and out (as long as I took no photos of the inside, but I can tell you that the seats are black leather and very comfortable), said he refused to provide this vessel for the James Bond film "because they wanted three of them and they were all going to get destroyed, so it was not economically viable."

He would not say how much the ship costs, but he did say it was 20% of the cost of a Lynx helicopter to buy and 10% of the cost per hour to run.

The original prototype which is on show at Euronaval has already done 25,000 nautical miles and "has been tested to the limit," Sanderson told me.

There'll be more about this vessel in the December issue of DTI.

buglerbilly

27-10-10, 02:32 AM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Sealegs (Continued)

Posted by Christina Mackenzie at 10/26/2010 3:35 PM CDT

Remember this beast that I wrote about here on 10/18?

Well, as promised I found out a bit more about it yesterday from Erwann Ledoux, the chief executive of Sealegs Europe who had a real one on his stand at Euronaval that I was able to clamber on.

I can report that it feels very sturdy and solid ... but then obviously it was on land and motionless!

He told me that it costs €107,000 ($149,441 at today's exchange rate) to which you have to add local tax. As he said, that's about the price of a really nice car and cheaper than a top of the range Porsche or half the price of a Ferrari (I've just checked!).

I remarked that 10 kph on land was a little slow, to which Ledoux responded that for military clients the engine can be unbridled so that it can reach twice that speed.

buglerbilly

27-10-10, 02:56 PM

Dixmude BPC and EDA-R: Responding to New Expeditionary Requirements

(Source: French defence procurement agency, DGA; issued Oct. 26, 2010)

(Issued in French only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)

The Landing Catamaran designed by CNIM for French navy amphibious ships seen during its trials in transit mode, with cargo deck in raised position.(DGA photo)

On 17 September in Saint-Nazaire the Dixmude, the French navy’s third Bâtiment de Projection et de Commandement (BPC) ship, was set afloat. Decided in late 2008 as part of the government’s economic recovery plan, this vessel was contracted in just four months by the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) to the DCNS-STX shipbuilding joint venture.

"We incorporated minor changes requested by operational users to refine an already successful design,” says Patrick Le Garsmeur, BPC Program Director at DGA’s naval weapons management unit. “BPCs have widely proved their capabilities, with very positive feedback from the Navy on force projection, joint forces command and humanitarian assistance missions.”

Their performance and design maturity have aroused the interest of many countries’ navies.

To complement these operational capabilities, DGA in 2003 launched studies of a fast amphibious landing craft (EDA-R) to replace the old landing barges and craft. In 2009, the L-CAT (landing catamaran) concept developed on its own funds as a private venture by the French manufacturer CNIM was selected.

Operating from the BPC’s well deck, the EDA-R can perform a large number of rapid transits to the coast and back, thus preserving the security of the ship which remains safely beyond the horizon.

"Testing of the prototype has validated this revolutionary concept of a transformer vessel,” says Ronan Minguy, manager of amphibious landing and public service vessels at UM NAV. “It is a catamaran in the transit mode but thanks to its lifting platform, transforms into a flat-bottomed vessel for beaching and docking.”

“This roll-on, roll-off vessel has a payload of 80 metric tonnes at a speed of 18 knots loaded and above 25 knots when empty. Its ability to generate logistic flows will be about 5 times greater than that of current landing craft, and it can beach on about 90% of coastal sites, thereby freeing port infrastructure."

Many foreign navies have shown an interest in this innovative craft.

-ends-

buglerbilly

28-10-10, 12:52 AM

More on this............interesting Cost figures............

Navy Debuts First Eco-Friendly Ship: A ‘Mean, Green Riverine Machine’

By Katie Drummond October 27, 2010 | 3:56 pm

It can carry 24 troops and can outrace a fleet of destroyers or the cutting-edge vessel nicknamed “the Navy’s corvette.” And it’s powered, in part, by algae.

The U.S. Navy has rolled out the first military vessel designed to run on eco-friendly fuel. And this “mean, green riverine machine” is only the start: Within five years, the Navy anticipates a 10-ship carrier strike group — a “Great Green Fleet” — that relies entirely on alternative energy.

On Friday, Navy brass showed off the ship — a 49 foot-long riverine command boat that attains speeds of 40-knots — during a demonstration at the Norfolk, Va. Naval Base. The ship burns a 50-50 blend of algae-based fuel and diesel, and “ran just fine” during the demo, according to Rear Adm. Philip Cullom, director of the Chief of Naval Operations Energy and Environmental Readiness Division.

“We did three high-power runs to attain peak speeds for specific periods of time,” Cullom tells reporters, estimating that the ship traveled around a mile during the event, and also performed a series of maneuvers in the water.

The trial run is only one part of a larger Navy initiative to put a major dent in their fuel consumption. Navy vessels use around 80,000 barrels of oil a day, and the department wants biofuels and nuclear energy to cut that amount in half by 2020. Earlier this year, the Navy launched their first eco-friendly F/A-18 Super Hornet jet, the “Green Hornet,” that runs on a mix of camelina-derived fuel and gasoline. Admiral Gary Roughead, the head of the Navy, recently announced plans to power undersea drones using “a long-endurance, safe power source” to further curb fossil fuel reliance.

The Navy’s got a head-start on other fuel-thirsty military departments, but they’re still figuring out how to make alternative fuels affordable. Last year, the Navy spent $424 per gallon to buy 20,055 gallons of algae-based biofuel — a world record price for fuel, the Marine Corps Times is reporting.

“Yes, these fuels are expensive,” Cullom says. “When you’re leading the way on something, it’s not gonna be $3 bucks a gallon.”

Cullom is confident that increased demand for eco-friendly fuels, largely spurred by massive military needs, will quickly curb costs. Already, the Navy is paying less than $100 for each gallon of the algae-based fuel that cost four times as much only a year ago.

But cost — and actually helping the environment — are less important to the Navy than a secure fuel source. Alternative energy would eliminate reliance on fossil fuels that are largely sourced from unstable regions, and whose increasing scarcity could lead to political turmoil. Not to mention that fuel is the military’s top import into combat areas, and convoys are often sitting ducks for attacks.

“Our program to ‘go green’ is about combat capability, first and foremost,” Cullom says. “Our energy program strengthens natural security, but it also strengthens national security — we’re not held hostage by any one source.”

Photo: U.S. Navy

Read More http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/10/navy-debuts-first-eco-friendly-ship-a-mean-green-riverine-machine/#more-34101#ixzz13bPM6KDb

buglerbilly

29-10-10, 02:38 PM

The Second Skjold Fast Patrol Boat Delivered to the Norwegian Navy

(Source: DCNS; issued Oct. 28th, 2010)

PARIS --- On 28 October 2010, the Royal Norwegian Navy took delivery of the second Skjold fast patrol boat, or FPB. This six-ship programme is led by a consortium comprising DCNS and two Norwegian contractors with DCNS acting as combat system design authority and co-supplier.

The Norwegian authorities entrusted the Skjold programme to a consortium of three contractors with DCNS as combat system design authority and co-supplier. DCNS is working with Norway’s Umoe Mandal shipyard and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

Skjold FPBs are designed specifically to patrol Norway’s littoral waters. Accordingly, the combat system is tailored to the requirements of this demanding environment as well as reduced crewing. Thanks to state-of-the-art communications and sensor suites, these boats will also be able to participate actively in international and NATO-led operations. Skjold-class FPBs are heavily armed with a length overall of less than 50 metres. The combat system features eight anti-ship missiles and a 76-mm gun that can engage several targets at once at ranges exceeding 12 kilometres.

Validation of the combat system was achieved following the successful completion of a final campaign involving decoy launchers and the main gun. The trials took place off Bergen in August.

Skjold-class FPB P961-Storm was formally handed over on 9 September and a naming ceremony held on the same day. The second-of-class P962-Skudd has been named and delivered on 28 October 2010. The next four of the class are planned to be delivered before late 2011.

The success of the Skjold programme is the fruit of a long-term partnership between DCNS and Norway. Between 1997 and 2004, DCNS demonstrated its expertise in combat system design and development as prime contractor for the modernisation of 14 Hauk-class fast patrol boats for the Royal Norwegian Navy.

DCNS is a world leader in naval defence and an innovative player in energy. DCNS designs, builds and supports submarines and surface combatants as well as associated systems and infrastructure. The Group proposes services for naval shipyards and bases. It also develops solutions in civil nuclear engineering and marine renewable energy. The Group employs 12,000 people and generates annual revenues of around EUR 2.4 billion.

-ends-

buglerbilly

31-01-11, 04:26 PM

Indian Navy to induct mechanised craft for landings on beaches

07:44 GMT, January 31, 2011

Looking to augment its amphibious warfare capabilities, the Indian Navy is planning to induct 10 mechanised craft to enable troop landings on beaches.

A Request for Information (RFI) in this regard has been issued by the Navy in which it has asked global vendors to supply the craft within a specific time frame, Navy officials said in New Delhi.

The mechanised craft would be deployed in both eastern and western sea board to support troop landings at Andaman and Nicobar islands and Lakshadweep on the western side.

The 55-tonne capacity craft can be carried on board the Navy's five large Landing Ship Tank (LST) vessels of the Magar and Shardul class.

It can launch 150 troops and their warfare equipment, along with a T-90/T-72 battle tank, two infantry combat vehicles, two 2.5-tonne trucks or four light motor vehicles to enemy shores.

It will also be able to operate out of Landing Pontoon Dock INS Jalashwa, which was procured by the Indian navy for its amphibious operations.

"The craft could be used for multiple operations ranging from troop landing to rescue operations at the enemy shores. Besides carrying troops, it must also carry their material to suit day and night operations," an official said.

The craft with its twin diesel engines can go up to 25 knots in speed with full cargo load.

The water jet based engines can support the 23 metre long vessel till 200 nautical miles from the shore.

The vessel should be suitable for all kinds of day and night operations and as per Navy's requirement should have two mounted heavy machine guns with hands-free communication sets.

For protection of the troops during landing, the craft is well guarded by protective steel plates.

The tri-services Andaman and Nicobar frequently carries out exercises and war-games keeping amphibious battle zone scenarios in mind. (DD India)

buglerbilly

04-03-11, 03:34 PM

U.S. Navy Seeks New Landing Craft Proposals

By CHRISTOPHER P. CAVAS

Published: 3 Mar 2011 20:28

This is a Concept image not a reflection of an actual offer..............

A solicitation for Ship-to-Shore-Connector (SSC) landing craft was issued March 1 by the U.S. Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). The request for proposals begins the process of building a replacement for the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) amphibious craft that first entered service in the mid-1980s.

Two primary industry efforts have been underway to compete for the new landing craft. SSC Team Textron is led by Textron Marine and Land Systems - builders of most existing LCACs - and supported by L3 Communications and Alcoa.

Team SSC is anchored by Marinette Marine working with Boeing, Oceaneering and Griffon Hoverwork, Both teams have put together proposals to build up to 73 SSCs over eight years. The first SSC is to be delivered in 2018. The request asks for bids for the first eight production SSCs to be delivered by 2020.

Proposals already shown by both teams feature air-cushioned craft with similar configurations to the LCACs. As with the earlier craft, the SSC will be 91.8 feet long and have a beam of 47.8 feet. The new craft is to carry a load of 67 metric tons - 13 more than the LCAC - have a crew of two rather than three, use a simpler and more efficient drive train, and have better environmental and communications systems.

Industry teams have until March 31 to respond.

A presentation of the overall Concept from Navsea in May 2010................

http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Media/SAS2010/Riedel_Ship-to-Shore_Connector.pdf

buglerbilly

17-03-11, 04:34 PM

Dutch Navy test team tests new high-speed vessel

15:01 GMT, March 16, 2011

A Royal Netherlands Navy team tests the interceptor model of the new, high-speed Fast Raiding Interceptor and Special Forces Craft (FRISC). The small boats are deployable for a wide range of tasks, from counterdrugs operations to maritime counterterrorism operations.

“In the first week, we ran tests in cooperation with Maritime Special Forces Operators”, said First Lieutenant Harm Jonker, leader of the test team. “Where are the best firing positions? Where can we best position ourselves and how do we fix everything down against sea movement? Important questions for a vessel that skims over the sea's surface at 40 knots," continued Jonker.

LOOSE CORD

More tests are scheduled for the coming weeks, when the Marines Intervention Unit will take part and a team will be on hand to measure the G-forces that occur when the vessel is at high speed. Attention will also be given to the clothing of crew members. Jonker: “At that speed, a loose cord flapping in your face can be painful.”

The team has 14 weeks to test the FRISC in Dutch waters before it becomes operational. The final points for improvement must have been cleared up by autumn of this year.

HANDOVER

The FRISC is currently looked after by the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), which was responsible for its procurement. After handover of the 48 high-speed boats to the Royal Netherlands Navy, the FRISC will be used by the fleet and the Marine Corps.

buglerbilly

07-04-11, 02:48 PM

Naval Postgraduate School Project Uses Unmanned Systems to Map Tidal Inlet Flows

(Source: US Navy; issued April 6, 2011)

MONTEREY, Calif. --- A cutting-edge experiment conducted by Naval Postgraduate School students who completed a littoral field studies course at the school March 25, will help arm future Navy SEALs with validated three-dimensional maps of tides, waves and currents.

Oceanography Assistant Professor Jamie MacMahan led seven students in a capstone field experiment in the highly energetic Bear Cut tidal inlet near Miami, Fla., collecting tidal inlet measurements using man-portable unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and feeding the data into the Navy's nearshore Delft3D model.

"Tidal inlets are important to the Navy's littoral focus, because when you move from the deep ocean to any land water body, you have to go through an inlet, and spatially mapping the velocity field is critical for many expeditionary warfare exercises, particularly those involving human swimmers such as Navy SEALs," MacMahan explained.

"I developed the course to focus on nearshore and surfzone projects because the Navy is pushing the frontier into shallower and shallower environments, which are more complex [than the deep ocean] due to faster flows and more rapid changes, and so pose a greater challenge; and spatially mapping the velocity field is critical for many expeditionary warfare exercises, particularly those involving human swimmers such as Navy SEALs," he continued.

"This addition is a unique exploration and educational opportunity for the students that simultaneously tests transformative ideas that can be integrated into future naval operations," MacMahan said. "The experimental scenario is of direct operational value to the Navy because special operations and expeditionary warfare use these same tools [UUVs and Delft3D], and this is the first time smaller unmanned underwater vehicles have been used in fast-flow inlet or riverine environments. The concept for the capstone project, in fact, grew out of discussions between myself and doctoral student Lt. Cmdr. Bill Swick, one of the two teaching assistants for the course, who's been involved in both special and expeditionary operations."

Students learn how to program and deploy the NPS EcoMapper UUV to collect real-time data on waves, currents, temperature, salinity, sediments, pollutants and bathymetry amongst other measures. They also learn first-hand how to input the data into the numerical model, and how to output the resulting maps using Google Earth Matlab. "And while they're doing this, they get to explore a real, complex shallow-water environment," MacMahan noted.

"The experiment was a success and a win-win for everyone," MacMahan said. "The students got the model up and running in about a day and were able to run three missions in strong, two meters-per-second currents. They then analyzed the data for one and a half days there at the University of Miami, where they had the benefit of the special expertise of Prof. Ad Reiners with Delft3D."

The students who participated in the tidal inlet study are Swick, doctoral student Jenna Brown, and Lts. David Paul Smith, Mark Hebert, Chris Tuggle, Stephanie Johnson, Chris Beuligmann and Will Ashley. Partnering in the exercise were Reniers of the University of Miami and NUWC autonomous underwater vehicle experts Mike Inzce and Scott Sideleau.

NUWC also provided state-of-the-art AUVs in addition to the NPS EcoMapper.

"This was the first time I've ever used UUVs," said Tuggle, a METOC officer whose role was to wirelessly load programs into the swimming robots. "Professor MacMahan is a great teacher. He's energetic, hands on and passionate, and cares very deeply about helping students get the most out the learning experience. The most important and valuable part is the problem solving aspect – how to look at a problem and work around the challenges. Professor MacMahan left the scientific aspect – what drives the data collection decisions – and those collection decisions up to us. This is an incomparable class in the amount of hands-on experience you get and in taking you through all the steps for your thesis, and should really be the first class in the Oceanography program."

"This research is very relevant to my future career path," added Tuggle, whose master's thesis is titled "The Use of Autonomous Vehicles for Spatially Measuring Velocity Profiles in Rivers and Estuaries."

"This was my first field experiment, and it was a great learning experience," said Johnson, previously a destroyer anti-submarine warfare officer who transferred to the METOC community and is doing her thesis on tropical cyclone prediction. "It's great to be able to apply what we learn in the classroom in a hands-on project with immediate operational relevance to the Navy.

Professor MacMahan's enthusiasm for this area of research is contagious, and he goes out of his way to create a great learning experience for us all. In my future METOC career, I know I'll use the problem solving skills I've learned in this course, and the great thing is I'll always have Professor MacMahan to reach back to as a resource."

MacMahan's tidal inlet class exercise was sponsored by N4/N7 Assistant Chief of Staff for Readiness, Training and Education, Mr. Rich Jeffries, and funded by Dr. Tom Drake of the Office of Naval Research Coastal GeoSciences program.

-ends-

buglerbilly

03-06-11, 05:26 PM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

Shape Shifting Ship

Posted by Bill Sweetman at 6/3/2011 6:45 AM CDT

It begs the question of what's happening with our Replacement Landing Craft? Any chance of something like this? (I prefer the PACSCAT from the UK)..........

We talked about the innovative L-cat landing craft, produced by French engineering group CNIM, in 2008, when it was just starting trials with the French Navy. I caught up with the company again a couple of weeks ago at Singapore's IMDEX maritime defense show.

Since 2008, the French defense ministry has ordered four production-model Engin de Débarquement Amphibie Rapide (EDA-R) craft from CNIM, with an option on two more, with the goal of providing each of the three Mistral-class amphibious-warfare ships with two of the craft. The first of these is to be delivered in September. Unit cost is EUR15 million.

The Mistrals were sized to take the US Navy's Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC), and the EDA-R is similar in overall dimensions. Its unique feature is its ability to change its shape, and operate as either a medium-draft catamaran or a landing craft.

That's because the EDA-R is made in three parts. The two-side hulls each house two 1,900 hp MTU diesel engines driving Swedish-made MJP 650 waterjets. They are connected by cross-bracing and the third main piece of the structure, the meter-deep cargo floor.

The floor is attached to the sides by four vertical lift drives and can be raised and lowered in 90 seconds. In the upper position, the floor rises clear of the water and the EDA-R floats on its side hulls, drawing 1.7 m of water. With the floor lowered, the craft floats on both the side hulls and the floor, drawing only 70 cm. (Although it might look like you'd need to seal the sides to the deck, you don't: the top of the deck is dry at full load.) It can deliver vehicles "feet dry" on a 2-degree beach slope.

Here's the prototype in action:

As a catamaran, the EDA-R can cruise at 16-27 kt according to load, which can be up to 100 tons. An LCAC is nominally faster, but CNIM says that the difference reduces quickly as the sea gets rougher. Also, says CNIM, the diesel-powered EDA-R can perform more runs to the beach without refuelling, offsetting part of the speed advantage.

Alongside QinetiQ's PACSCAT, the EDA-R shows an innovative approach to providing a high-speed, long-range ship-to-shore link -- while the US Navy is basically reproducing the existing LCAC in its new Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) requirement.

buglerbilly

16-06-11, 05:22 PM

ZODIAC WINS NEW CONTRACT FOR 20 COMMANDO RIBS AND FOUR AIR DELIVERY SYSTEMS

The French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has awarded a contract to the Military and Professional division (MILPRO) of Zodiac International for 20 multi‐purpose commando RIBs (ECUME) and four air delivery systems.

Negotiations for the new contract opened with Zodiac in 2009 when the existing French Navy RIBs (ETRACO) were approaching theend of their working life and were becoming unsuitable for modern fleet requirements. The contract had originally been won in 2006 by anoverseas competitor whose prototype had failed DGA and Navy commando tests and had resulted in the contract being cancelled in 2008. The new contract was awarded under European procurement procedures to guarantee stringent and transparent selection processes that take account of all technical, financial, management and delivery criteria.

The twenty ECUMEare each 9.3 metres long and fitted with twin in‐board diesel engines. With an operating payload of 7 tons they will be capable of carrying up to 12 people at speeds up to 40 knots. The new RIBs will meet the needs of French Navy commandos operating in three mission areas including special operations, air‐sea operations and activities relating to the protection of the maritime approaches. They will also be used for conducting law enforcement patrols as required. Their deployment capacity has been further enhanced with the inclusion of four air delivery systems (SLE) that enable command and assault versions of the ECUME to be air‐dropped into operations.

The ECUMEhas been developed as a multi‐mission platform that can be deployed individually or in groups. It is equally suitable for conducting raids from shore or from a naval vessel and can be deployed by OPV, TCD, PCB and FREMM class frigates while carrying the wide range of weapons and equipment used by commandos. A major feature of the RIBs will include advanced radio communications capabilities that will also enable them to operate as a command post for naval operations if required.

The first of the new ECUMERIBs is scheduled for delivery to the DGA in November 2012. This will be followed by four months of comprehensive testing with preliminary acceptance anticipated for March 2013. This will be followed by another three months of final evaluation by French Navy Commandos of Lorient so that the launch of the range can be announced in June 2013.

The remaining 19 boats will then be delivered from 2014 to mid‐2015. The four air delivery systems (SLE) will be built and evaluated in parallel, from mid 2013 to 2015. The Zodiac ECUMERIB is being supplied by Zodiac MILPRO (Military and Professional) which is based in Paris and supplies inflatable and semi‐rigid craft for professional users such as police, coast guard, special forces, anti‐terrorism units, fire teams, the offshore industry and other military users.

The boats manufactured by Zodiac MILPRO range from 4m to 12m long and are available in configurations that include inflatable and rigid inflatable boats with aluminium or fibreglass hull designs, inflatable or foam tubes, diesel inboard or petrol outboard engines.

buglerbilly

05-07-11, 02:17 PM

Third Skjold FPB Delivered to Norwegian Navy

(Source: DCNS; issued July 4, 2011)

The Norwegian navy has taken delivery of HNMS Steil, the third of six high-tech fast patrol boats; shown above is the lead ship, HNMS Skjold. (Naval Pictures photo)

PARIS --- On the 30th of June 2011, DCNS delivered the third-of-class fast patrol boat, P963-Steil, to the Royal Norwegian Navy. The six-boat Skjold programme is led by a consortium comprising DCNS and two Norwegian contractors with DCNS acting as the combat system design authority and co-supplier.

The Norwegian authorities entrusted the Skjold programme to a consortium of three contractors with DCNS as the combat system design authority and co-supplier. DCNS is working with Norwegian contractors Umoe Mandal and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

Skjold FPBs are designed specifically for maritime security & safety missions in Norway’s littoral waters. The combat system is tailored to demanding environments and reduced crewing. The state-of-the-art communications and sensor suites are fully compatible with active participation in international and NATO-led operations. With a length of around 50 metres, Skjold-class FPBs are heavily armed for their size. The combat system features eight anti-ship missiles and a 76 mm gun that can engage several targets at once at ranges exceeding 12 kilometres.

P963-Steil’s combat system was accepted following a final campaign main gun firing tests off Bergen and sea trials in Stavanger in June 2011.

First-of-class P961-Storm was handed over on 9 September 2010 and second-of-class P962-Skudd on 28 October 2010.

The success of the Skjold programme is the fruit of a long-term partnership between DCNS and its Norwegian partners. Between 1997 and 2004, DCNS demonstrated its expertise in combat system design and development as prime contractor for the modernisation of 14 Hauk-class FPBs for the Royal Norwegian Navy.

DCNS is a world leader in naval defence and an innovative player in energy. DCNS designs, builds and supports surface combatants, submarines and mission-critical systems and equipment incorporating the most advanced technologies. It also proposes services for naval shipyards and bases. The Group employs 12,500 people and generates annual revenues of around EUR 2.5 billion.

-ends-

buglerbilly

11-07-11, 02:09 PM

Riverine Force Trains for Uncertain Future

July 11, 2011

Military.com|by Christian Lowe

FORT KNOX, Ky. -- The twin motors idle as the 36-foot boat slips through the brown river, heeling to starboard in a gentle turn.

A desperate call over the radio breaks the silence.

"Contact right! Contact right!"

The coxswain slams the throttles forward, pivoting the fully loaded boat with a surprising agility, pushing the two 440-horsepower engines to the limit.

Fire streams from the machine guns, pitting the ground with geysers of dirt and wood, plastic targets jolting and pitching in the hail of lead as it crosses the shoreline.

"Cease fire! Cease fire," the instructors shout, until each of the guns goes cold. Those onboard huddle and get ready to go through the drill again.

It's the final week of pre-deployment training for the Yorktown, Va.-based Detachment 2, Riverine Squadron 3, and for the first time in its five-year existence, Sailors and their leaders are unsure what the future holds. Established in 2006 to fight insurgents and train security forces along Iraq's Euphrates and Tigris rivers, the Navy's Riverine squadrons are now searching for missions.

According to the Riverines' overall commander, the near constant deployments to Iraq were great for establishing the "brown water" force within the Navy's increasingly diverse portfolio, but the downside was few commanders outside the Iraq mission understood what the unique force could bring to the fight.

"For the last five years, the Riverines were fully invested in what was going on in Iraq," said Capt. Chris Halton, commodore of the Norfolk-based Riverine Group 1. "That left very little capacity to do other missions in other [operations areas]."

"We are still building awareness and understanding of what the capabilities of the Riverines are in other AORs," he added.

Video at the link..............

http://www.military.com/news/article/riverine-force-trains-for-uncertain-future.html

That's why Riverine commanders are tacking in the direction of "theater security operations," where crews and their boats would help patrol vulnerable inland waterways and train foreign forces to secure their own brown-water environments.

Officials say the mission in Iraq showed the crews can operate in small units dispersed over a wide area and even work as individual training teams without their boats. Several Riverine Sailors have been dispatched to the southern Pacific to work with partner nations there, and a detachment is set to deploy to Aruba to work with the Dutch Royal Marines.

"We've been educating people since last fall on what is it we can do, how quickly we can respond and what are the mission sets we are best used for," Halton said, adding that he's working to build in more missions to Africa and South America in the next two years.

The Navy is also set to expand the Riverine force by establishing the new Composite Riverine Squadron 4 to work in what Halton calls the "brown-to-green water" areas close to shore. The units will use the Riverine Command Boat and a new Force Protection Coastal craft that's bigger than an RCB, but still can go 40 knots and carry a crew of four Sailors and an eight-man boarding party.

"We have a detachment now working with the Riverine Command Boats, and for the first time ever, pushing out into that green water area," Halton said. "So we are developing the [tactics] we need to operate this craft in a more consistent manner."

Though few will admit it outright, with its deeper water hardware, search team capacity and beefed up communication capability, the new squadron is clearly geared toward the Navy's expanding counter-piracy mission.

"When the [chief of naval operations] was standing it up, he was not looking for additional riverine capacity but the ability to operate from the riverine world into the green water world," Halton said. "Counter-piracy is one of the things it could do, but it's not the sole mission."

© Copyright 2011 Military.com. All rights reserved.

buglerbilly

11-08-11, 02:21 PM

Juliet Marine Systems, Inc. Announces the First Super-Cavitating Ship, GHOST

(Source: Juliet Marine Systems, Inc.; issued August 10, 2011)

Juliet Marine Systems has released newly-declassified photos of Ghost, a super-cavitating craft it designed on its own funds to “fly” through an artificial underwater gas environment. (JMS photo)

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. --- Juliet Marine Systems, Inc. (JMS) announced today that the US Navy/USPTO have removed Secrecy Orders previously applied to GHOST. For the first time, Juliet Marine is able to release photographs of GHOST, the first super-cavitating craft, to the public. GHOST was designed and built by US citizens for the US Navy at no cost to the government to protect US sailors, servicemen and servicewomen.

Development of the first-ever, super-cavitating craft, in many ways, is as difficult as breaking the sound barrier. GHOST is a combination aircraft/boat that has been designed to fly through an artificial underwater gaseous environment that creates 900 times less hull friction than water. GHOST technology adapts to manned or unmanned, surface or submerged applications.

Any Navy possessing GHOST technology could operate in international waters undetected and would have an overwhelming advantage against conventional ships. GHOST is specifically designed for Fleet Force Protection at its present size. GHOST technology is scalable and JMS is currently discussing a plan to build a larger corvette-sized vessel (150 feet) by partnering with a large international defense company.

The US Navy could reduce its naval footprint and financial exposure by deploying a squadron of GHOSTs from Bahrain, which would free up larger assets, such as destroyers and cruisers, saving costs in manpower and maintenance. GHOST is ideal for piracy patrols and could be sea-based to provide protection from pirate attacks that cost our government an estimated $1.5 billion each year. The world-wide shipping industry could be provided with substantial fuel savings using JMS hull friction reduction super-cavitation.

A squadron of GHOSTs would not be detectable to enemy ship radar and sensors. GHOST can carry thousands of pounds of weapons, including Mark 48 torpedoes, and would be virtually unstoppable. The GHOST platform and technology could reduce the need for LCS completely with the capability to travel long distances and conduct the same missions. GHOST could make LCS a defensible platform for combat - LCS is not currently rated for combat. Today, Iran has the capabilities to stop the US Navy from operating in the Straits of Hormuz, a critical passage for most of the oil our country uses.

The Navy compares GHOST to an attack helicopter with regard to its capabilities for force protection. GHOST can deliver forces to any beach location quickly and quietly with enough weapons to conduct a hot extraction. GHOST is designed to provide military game-changing advantages for the USA.

-ends-

buglerbilly

15-09-11, 03:24 AM

Norway Reaches Agreement With Yard on Boat Project

By GERARD O'DWYER

Published: 14 Sep 2011 16:13

HELSINKI - Norway has resumed its $352 million Missile Torpedo Boat (MTB) program after the Ministry of Defense (MoD) reached agreement with Umoe Mandal regarding late delivery penalties.

The Norwegian shipbuilding company attributed the delays to technical problems that required retesting of primary gas-turbine propulsion systems supplied to the Skjold (Shield)-class MTB project by Pratt & Whitney (P&W). The U.S. company's share of the project amounts to $40 million.

The Skjold-class MTBs constitute the Navy's biggest recent investment in stealthy fast-attack craft for littoral warfare. The project includes weapons and engineering input from Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace.

The late penalties deal reached with Umoe Mandal formed part of a wider agreement under which the shipyard guarantees that all six boats, as included in the original order, will be delivered to the Royal Norwegian Navy in the first half of 2012, according to the MoD. In effect, this means the delivery of the final vessel in the series.

The agreement on penalties is important for Umoe Mandal, which has suffered losses due to the delays in the project. Moreover, the company continues to struggle to win significant new shipbuilding orders. The yard has been left with expensive over-capacity, leading to reorganization in the form of redundancies and dismissals.

Construction of the five Skjold-class boats has been underway since 2003 and was the shipyard's main activity in 2010. The level of completion in the project at the end of last year was 98.5 percent.

However, the project experienced substantial off-schedule delays because of the need to run additional test sequences and programs for the propulsion systems delivered by P&W.

Umoe Mandal informed the MoD last December that it had overcome most of the chief technical issues in the second half of the year.

The last MTB in the series had been scheduled for delivery during the first half of 2011, but it accrued day penalties and other compensations when new delays forced the delivery date to be pushed-back to 2012.

The gas turbine propulsion systems ordered from P&W feature two ST18M marine gas turbines and two ST40M marine gas turbines. The ST18M and ST40M are free turbine turboshaft engines derived, respectively, from Pratt & Whitney Canada's PW100 and PW150A aviation turboprop power plants.

buglerbilly

11-10-11, 01:43 AM

DID » Naval Equipment » Coastal & Littoral » US SOCOM’s CCM Fast Boats

US SOCOM’s CCM Fast Boats

Oct 10, 2011 18:08 EDT

Mark V

US Special Operation Command’s Mark V fast boats are known for their daring crews and SEAL passengers. They’re also known for back-breakingly bumpy rides, and for an occasional tendency to have their entire pilot house collapse when hit by a wave. SOCOM has been interested in a replacement since 2003, and the Combatant Craft, Medium Mark 1 (CCM Mk1) was originally described as that Mk.V replacement – until that iteration was canceled in April 2010. The revised and re-issued program is sold instead as a replacement for current Naval Special Warfare Rigid Inflatable Boats (NSW RIBs), to be accompanied by a future CC-Heavy counterpart that would replace the Mk.V. Until CCH arrives, however, there’s always a a possibility that CCM will wind up being the only delivered program.

The CCM competition is currently in Phase III, with a final design selection for the 10-year, $400 million contract due in 2013…

The Combatant Craft, Medium

RCB-X trial

The CCM MK 1 will be used in a variety of roles, mostly involving getting special operations troops in and out of low-to-medium threat environments. Other tasks will include special reconnaissance; combating terrorism; foreign internal defense; unconventional warfare; preparation of the environment; combating narco-terrorism; personnel recovery; and visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS).

Compared with the existing Naval Surface Warfare RIB, the CCM MK1 seems set to have a low detection profile, and will probably look more like the Navy’s Riverine Command Boat, or a scaled-down Mk.V. It will be faster than the RIBs, have longer range, operate in higher sea states, be more survivable thanks to enclosed spaces and Level 4 ballistics protection, and offer “increased shock mitigation” for the crew and passengers (technically: Sed8 no more than 4.7MPa). It will also be equipped with a full suite of modern electronics, including a remote weapon station and sensors, 4 crew computer workstations, Blue Force Tracker, a DAGR jam-resistant GPS receiver, and advanced tactical radios (PSC-5D and PRC-150, eventually PRC-117G).

While SOCOM’s high-end aerial transports are all C-130 variants, the current solicitation’s specifications describe a “utilitarian go-to-war craft without the design constraints of C-130 internal air transport or airdrop.” Instead, the CCM Mk.1 will be carried in larger USAF C-17 heavy transport aircraft, and use an M1088A1 FMTV 6×6 truck as its carrier. Overall size and performance is expected to be between the current C-130 transportable/droppable NSW RIB, and the Mk.V which requires a C-5 Galaxy for the boat and associated equipment, including truck and trailer.

The craft that emerges will need a service life growth margin for future upgrades, and must be able to handle 5 hours of cruising operations (40 knots in 4 foot combined seas).

A mission reliability of no less than 80% is expected. Basically, “up and working” is more important than “easy to fix,” or “spares on hand.” Which is only to be expected, given the nature of SEAL missions. They also want the boat’s systems to be self-monitoring, reporting issues and logging data for fleet-wide analysis. Mission reliability is defined as the probability of success in completing a single 11-hour mission during a 48-hour operational mission cycle, without experiencing a mission critical failure that would force the mission to be aborted unless it’s fixed.

A materiel availability of not less than 65% is expected. Materiel availability is defined as the number of CCM Mk 1 systems ready for tasking divided by the total CCM Mk 1 systems in the inventory. As an example, at the full operational capability inventory of 30 craft, presentations show 6-month cycles of 8 craft deployed, 8 craft in squadron introduction training, 8 craft in unit level training, and 6 (4+2) craft in maintenance. Given that the 6 craft in maintenance are not ready for tasking, 20 of the remaining 24 craft (83.33%) would have to be ready for tasking, in order to meet the 30-boat fleet’s 65% minimum.

CCM’s big risk is that some of its specifications seem to demand high-end, advanced hull designs, such as semi-SWATH boats, composite construction like the “Mark V.1” MAKO, or designs like the Stiletto’s concept craft’s M-Hull. That tends to bring costs up, and margin for error down, in exchange for the possibility of a ride that really could make a difference to the mission. The program’s Industry Day was explicit about that tradeoff, saying that technical factors would trump price. Even so, the tradeoff is not an endless one, and technical risk is always a factor. Testing and deployment will reveal how, and if, Naval Special Warfare has managed to square that circle, and deliver.

The all-composite MAKO patrol boat (pictured) is 50 percent stronger and slightly lighter than the all-aluminum Mark V now in use by U.S. Navy SEALs. It was launched in January 2008 and is currently being tested by the Navy alongside the Mark V for comparison. Source: Maine Marine Manufacturing

Stiletto’s concept craft’s M-Hull

Initial Operational Capability is expected by fall 2014, with full-rate production beginning that quarter as well. Full Operational Capability is slated for FY 2020.

Contracts & Key Events

NSW RIB

Sept 29/11: U.S. Special Operations Command issues 2 Phase III contracts for its CCM Mk.1, as 100% small business set-asides: $7.0 million each to Oregon Iron Works, Inc. in Clackamas, OR (H9222-11-D-0080), and to United States Marine, Inc. in Gulfport, MS (H92222-11-D-0079). Both vendors already build special operations boats. Oregon Iron Works has designed the high-speed, very low profile “Sea Lion II”. USMI’s most interesting design is their VSV “needle-nose” boat, whose design improves performance in waves.

Technically, these are indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contracts, with options up to the maximum order of 30 boats and $400 million over 10 years. In other words, the winner will simply have additional delivery orders awarded within this contract. Phase III work will be performed concurrently in Clackamas, OR and Gulfport, MS until December 2012. The government will test and evaluate the testing boats that each vendor provides, and make a final down select decision in 2013.

The final ordering period for the winner will end in 2021.

buglerbilly

26-10-11, 03:05 PM

Egyptian Navy Fast Missile Craft Launch Marks Milestone in Construction

(Source: US Naval Sea Systems Command; dated Oct. 20, 2011)

PASCAGOULA, Miss. --- The U.S. Navy announced the launch of the first Egyptian Navy Fast Missile Craft (FMC) from VT Halter Marine's Pascagoula, Miss., shipyard, Oct. 20, marking a key milestone in the ship's construction process.

The primary mission of the FMC is to conduct independent and joint operations, primarily against armed surface adversaries. The Egyptian Navy has a requirement for a vessel with the capabilities of an FMC to combat these threats and to patrol and defend its coastal waterways of the Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and in particular, the Suez Canal.

"The launch of the FMC is the culmination of nearly two years of production rigor and dedication from all parties," said Frank McCarthey, the Auxiliary Ships, Boats, and Craft program manager. "The FMC program will continue to benefit from the high degree of design and planning maturity that has already been accomplished by the Navy/VT Halter team."

Each of the 63-meter craft carry a 76mm Super Rapid Gun, Harpoon Block II missiles, MK49 Rolling Airframe Missiles, and the Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) Block 1B. These high-speed, agile craft can reach speeds of greater than 34 knots provide berthing for a crew of up to 40 sailors and operate up to eight days independently at sea.

The first of four FMCs are scheduled to join the Egyptian fleet in 2012. PEO Ships will continue to assist with acquisition and oversight efforts throughout the construction process and will provide follow-on technical and training support to the Egyptian Navy upon delivery of the vessels.

The Auxiliary Ships, Boats, and Craft Program Office within the U.S. Navy's Program Executive Office (PEO), Ships manages the Egyptian FMC program. The Navy utilizes the foreign military sales program to help build partner nation maritime security capabilities through acquisition and transfers of ships, boats, combatant craft, weapon systems, communication equipment and a variety of training programs.

As one of the Defense Department's largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships, an affiliated PEO of the Naval Sea Systems Command, is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all major surface combatants, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, service craft, boats, and combatant craft.

-ends-

buglerbilly

27-10-11, 11:33 AM

Pic of a model of this craft by Thales.............

JimWH

27-10-11, 11:48 AM

tiddles

27-10-11, 11:44 PM

Handsome looking ship.
By my count she has four primary armaments (76mm, Harpoon, Phalanx, RAM), plus light (looks like a pair of 0.5 call on the bridge wings) and soft kill in the form of chaff. She also seems to have what I take to be a STIR and an SMART-S Mk.2. All in all very comprehensive for a small ship. One wonders whether she'll have the CMS to make good use of all of that, or the seaworthiness.
I was wondering about seaworthiness as well although as a brown water ship I am guessing it is not so important .At 63 meters it is not as long as most OPVs which usually dont have anywhere like all this armament etc.,in fact even an Armidale is 58 meters long. All that weaponry is almost Frigate like on such a small hull. I wonder how much fuel it is supposed to carry as well.
Tiddles

buglerbilly

28-10-11, 02:35 AM

Well if y'all search a little bit then you'll find this: -

Displacement:

500 long tons (510 t)

Length:

60.6 m (198 ft 10 in)(?)

Beam:

10 m (32 ft 10 in)(?)

Draft:

2 m (6 ft 7 in)(?)

Propulsion:

3 × MTU diesels, 30,000 hp (22 MW)
3 shafts

Speed:

41 knots (76 km/h)

Range:

2,000 nmi (3,700 km) at 15 kn (28 km/h)

Endurance:

8 days at sea

Complement:

36 (8 officers, 10 chief petty officers, and 18 ratings)

Sensors and
processing systems:

• Thales Nederland Scout (I/J band) radar
• EADS TRS-3D radar, built by Raytheon
• I and K dual-band fire control radar
• Link ASN 150, LinkYE, Link 14, and Link 11 data links
• IFF
• Lightweight Shipboard Electro-Optical Combat Management System/Fire Control

Electronic warfare
and decoys:

• 4 × chaff/IR launchers
• ESM/ECM

Armament:

• 8 × RGM-84 Boeing Harpoon SSM Block 1G in 2 quad canister launchers
• 1 × United Defense Mk 75 76 mm/62 Super Rapid DP gun
• 1 × Raytheon RAM system consisting of the Mk.49 Guided Missile Launching System (GMLS) and a Mk.44 MOD 2 Block 1 guided missile round pack (supporting 21 canister-mounted missiles)
• 1 × Raytheon Mk 15 Mod 21 Phalanx (Block 1B) 20 mm Phalanx CIWS
• 2 × deck-mounted 7.62 mm M60 machine guns [1]

Unicorn

28-10-11, 08:08 AM

Oversized missile gunboat, lots of guns, buggar all range and seakeeping in the open ocean.

Literal descendent of the Osa's, Combattants and such that litter the ocean floor post hostilities.

Great as a potential threat, most of them have proven to fall far short under the real test of combat.

.

buglerbilly

25-11-11, 02:31 PM

DGA Delivers First Landing Catamaran

(Source: French defense procurement agency, DGA; issued Nov. 24, 2011)

(Issued in French only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)

The French navy has received its first EDA-R, a unique landing craft which cruises like a catamaran (above) but lowers its cargo deck to beach like a flat-bottomed LCU. (DGA photo)

The French defence procurement agency, Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), took delivery, on Nov. 24 in Toulon, of the first fast amphibious landing craft (Engin de Débarquement Amphibie Rapide, or EDA-R) which multiplies by five the landing capacity provided by conventional landing craft presently in service.

The EDA-R will be operated by the French navy’s Mistral-class Bâtiments de Projection et de Commandement (BPC) amphibious warfare ships.

The first contract for this program, and funded by the French government’s economic recovery plan, was awarded in June 2009 and covered the supply of the first four EDA-R craft as well as their operational support until mid-2015. The three other vessels will be delivered by mid-2012.

Based on the Landing Catamaran (L-CAT) concept developed and patented by the engineering company CNIM (Constructions industrielles de la Méditerranée), the EDA-R is a catamaran-hulled vessel during the fast transit phase, but turns into a flat-bottomed vessel for beaching and for entering the well-deck of its mother ships thanks to its central elevating platform. Each BPC ship can carry two EDA-Rs in its well deck.

Developed to land troops and heavy vehicles from ships remaining at beyond-the-horizon distances (over 30 nautical miles, or 55 km) from shore, the EDA-Rs will also be suitable for humanitarian missions in areas that have no berthing facilities.

30 meters long and 12 meters wide, the EDA-R has a payload of 80 metric tonnes and top speeds of 18 knots at full load or 30 knots empty. Its forward and access ramps simplify loading and unloading of vehicles. Overall, the logistical through-put of a single EDA-R is five times greater than that of the conventional landing craft currently in service with the French navy.

The Socarenam shipyard, a subcontractor to prime contractor CNIM, builds the EDA-R hull in its Saint-Malo facility, and fits it out in another facility in Boulogne-sur-Mer.

The work-load generated by the production of the four craft is estimated at about 400,000 man-hours, and supports over 100 jobs for three years. Alongside CNIM and Socarenam, a number of small and very small French companies are involved in the EDA-R program. (ends)

The EDA-Cs Berth Inside the Mistral BPC

(Source: French navy; issued Nov. 24, 2011)

(Issued in French only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)

Initiated by the defense procurement agency, DGA, in parallel with the design of the Mistral-class amphibious warfare ship, the first EDA-R fast landing craft joined the French navy’s amphibious flotilla on Nov. 24, 2011.

Derived from the L-CAT landing catamaran designed by engineering firm CNIM (Constructions Industrielles de la Méditerranée), the EDA-R is built to a very original design and offers the only alternative to date to air cushion-based landing craft such as the US Navy’s LCAC.

This remarkable engineering feat combines the performance of a catamaran with the payload of a floating bridge, and represents a world “first” in the field of landing technology. Capable of carrying up to 80 metric tonnes of payload at speeds of 18 knots (or 30 knots empty), its landing capacity is five times larger than that of a conventional landing craft like the CTMs now in French service.

The first EDA-R craft began its contractual sea trials in late July with DGA. After a long series of tests and trials, including beachings, loading and unloading at sea or on-shore, and well deck compatibility trials inside a BPC ship, it was formally accepted by DGA on November 24.

During two days at sea off Toulon, on November 10 and November 16, this new landing craft successfully demonstrated its capacity to load, transport and unload a range of heavy vehicles in service with the French army.

Under the vigilant oversight of DGA and CNIM engineers, sailors of the Mistral, and observers from the amphibious flotilla, the EDA-R entered the well deck of the ship and carried out all necessary maneuvers: forward and backwards, by day and night, and directly from the BPC’s rear access ramp.

This first EDA-R will be followed by three more, whose delivery to the amphibious flotilla will be completed by mid-2012.

They will provide remarkable capabilities for amphibious operations. Able to carry troops and equipment at speed from ships that remain at a safe stand-off range beyond the horizon, the EDA-R will thus considerably reinforce the force projection capabilities of the BPC-class ships, for the urgent extraction of civilians as well as for landing special forces. They will thus confer its full capability to the Mistral-class force projection ships.

-ends-

buglerbilly

16-12-11, 02:25 PM

Untitled Photo Caption

(Source: US Navy; dated Dec. 7, web-posted Dec. 15, 2011)

MINA SALMAN PIER, Bahrain --- Sailors assigned to Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 2 prepare to launch one of the riverine command boats into the Arabian Gulf for the first time.

The boats provide riverine forces with the new capability of operating in littoral waters, as well as the traditional river, or brown water environment.

The RIVRON 2 detachment is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 56, conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

-ends-

buglerbilly

09-01-12, 02:12 PM

Fast Assault Craft Pushed to the Limit

(Source: British Forces Broadcasting Corp.; issued Dec. 22, 2011)

A CB90 fitted with a PROTECTOR RWS turret armed with an M2HB .50 machine gun on the mast ring.

Royal Marines are testing a high-speed assault boat designed to protect Royal Navy ships from fast-attack craft.

Four Swedish Combat Boat 90s are on loan to the unit at Instow in North Devon which needs to train with next generation high-speed craft like ones they will use in the future.

They are fast, provide accurate and effective firepower to protect ships and landing craft and can put a small raiding/reconnaissance party of commandos ashore well in advance of the main force a long way from the mother ship.

Trying out the vessels helps the MOD understand the move from the traditional slower flat-bottomed landing craft to new fast and armed powerboats

The Instow Royal Marines of 11 (Amphibious Trials and Training) Squadron are evaluating the CB90s while in return, the Swedes have been loaned some of the marines’ Offshore Raiding Craft used by Turnchapel-based 539 Royal Marines in Plymouth.

The CB90 weighs around 16 tonnes, has top speed of about 50mph thanks to its water jet engines (which also allow it to turn on a sixpence) and is similar in size to the smaller landing craft used by the Royal Navy’s amphibious forces.

In the cabin there’s seating for up to 18 troops, plus plenty of space for their equipment, and the craft can mount heavy machine-guns for firepower.

The team at Instow – a mixture of around four dozen Royal Marines, Royal Navy and civilian experts – are about one third of their way through assessing the CB90.

So far they have tested basic handling, operating with other landing and assault craft (a prerequisite for any future boat), working out of the loading dock of HMS Bulwark, putting troops ashore, carrying a stretcher aboard safely.

“There’s no real comparison with what we operate at the moment – it’s a completely different beast,” said Lt Col Simon Guyer, officer commanding craft trials wing with 11 Squadron. “It’s a basic boat, you can really throw it about and it keeps coming back for more. That’s the sort of thing we like.”

The boats will not complete trials until the end of next year which includes exercising with a Royal Fleet Auxiliary landing ship having already been successfully run in and out of HMS Bulwark’s dock.

Other trials will be weapons tests to complete (not least remote weapons firing; a commando will sit in the ‘cockpit’ and ‘PlayStation-fashion’ control a gun mounted on the boat’s stern), and most importantly, the ability to safely recover a CB90 to HMS Bulwark by hoisting it on board while the larger ship is still moving in rough seas.

“It is very easy to drive – if you can drive an Offshore Raiding Craft, you can drive one of these,” says Colour Sergeant Ian Gibbons, who has spent 13 years working with landing craft.

All the lessons learned will be incorporated into the final specifications and requirements when the MOD looks for firms to build new force protection craft.

-ends-

buglerbilly

09-01-12, 02:19 PM

Comments on this from the UK Armed Forces Commentary blog....................

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

The Royal Marines, the CB90 and the Future Patrol Boat (EDITED)

Read full article here: http://ukarmedforcescommentary.blogspot.com/2011/05/royal-marines-cb90-and-future-patrol.html

In Service in the Royal Navy

This programme should not be undervalued. The Royal Marines do not move often in terms of procurement, but when they do, they do it silently, away from the spotlight, and tend to get what they want. And that often ends up being a luck for the whole of the British Armed Forces: the case of the Viking, procured for the Marines’s amphibious operation and grown to fame in Afghanistan, so much that the Army asked the Royal Marines training and support to use the vehicle as well, until they ultimately procured the bigger but very similar Warthog.

At the moment, the Royal Marines’ main targets are the PACSCAT fast landing craft to complement/replace the LCU MK10, and the Future Patrol Boat, which will be a more ambitious and powerful patrol asset than the Offshore Raiding Craft.

Such future patrol boat could have a role in support of special forces raids on enemy coastline, they could supply fire support to the Marines landing ashore while also bringing in almost as many men as a LCVP MK5 landing craft, but it could also be carried on davits of vessels such as the Bay class LSD(A) to redeploy abroad in roles such as Counter Piracy. It would be a less ambitious but still very effective “Mothership” vessel: deploy one ship, and you have two or more small patrol boats expanding the area covered and secured by several hundreds miles of radius.

The Offshore Raiding Craft was inspired and shaped by operational experience gained in riverine patrol ops of the Royal Marines in Iraq. Even LCVP MK5 were used for the patrols.

A CB90 patrol boats squadron would also deliver improved coastal security at home and abroad. For example I can think of Gibraltar: following continuous (and worsening) incursions of the Spanish coastguard vessels interfering with the sovereignty and even the security of military operations in the port, like when they had to be pushed away from the maneuvering submarine USS Providence they were harassing, before something bad could happen.

The Government of Gibraltar is very concerned about the situation, and HMS Sabre and HMS Scimitar, two armed P2000 boats, are massively outmatched by the big vessels of the Guardia Civil, so that numerous calls have been made to the MOD to commit a stronger Royal Navy presence in the waters of the Rock.

A couple of heavily armed CB90s forward deployed would be the correct answer even to this requirement. Sad that this needs to be done because of the behavior of an allied nation, but then again this is what we get, and the situation in Gibraltar must be fixed.

The Navy News article suggests that the Royal Navy is keeping its options open, and might develop a whole new patrol boat. Personally, I think this is unlikely. And I also feel it is unnecessary. The CB90 is proven, effective, and does the job. With minimum modifications, it will make for a formidable asset which will have the advantage of being cheap to procure and run. I’m a big supporter of the CB90. A Royal Marines Fleet Protection Boat Squadron with them would expand massively the capabilities of the corp in a whole range of roles and geographic conditions, from very swallow waters near the coastline to deep along rivers into the mainlad, as during operations in Iraq, which were the main source of inspiration for the development of the heavily-armed Offshore Raiding Craft.

buglerbilly

10-01-12, 02:53 PM

EDAR Completes Operational Readiness Tests

(Source: French Navy; issued Jan. 10, 2012)

(Issued in French only; unofficial translation by defense-aerospace.com)

The first EDAR advanced landing craft, with its cargo deck lowered in landing position, is seen here in the rear well deck of the Mistral amphibious warfare ship. (French Navy photo)

On January 9, 2012, the crew of the first EDAR (Engin de Débarquement Amphibie Rapide, or fast amphibious landing craft) completed the new craft’s operational readiness trials.

Conducted under the supervision of instructors from the Naval Action Force, in cooperation with sailors of the amphibious flotilla, this service introduction phase allowed the crew to familiarize itself with the new craft, and allowed the operational integration of the first EDAR into a BPC-class amphibious warfare ship.

With this qualification, the EDAR is now able to take part in amphibious operations.

The EDAR was handed over to the French Navy at the end of November 2011, and this is the first time a new landing craft is deployed on a BPC-class ship.

The same day, the Mistral LHD and its EDAR sailed for the East Coast of the United States, where they will take part in the multinational Bold Alligator exercise, which marks a major step forward in Franco-American cooperation in the field of amphibious operations.

-ends-

EDAR in lowered position for vehicle access.......................

EDAR in raised position at speed................

buglerbilly

11-01-12, 03:09 PM

Keeping the Straits of Hormuz Open: New Weapons System to Counter Swarm Attacks

(Source: Juliet Marine Systems, Inc.; issued January 10, 2012)

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. --- Juliet Marine Systems, Inc., (JMS), a privately funded company, today announced plans to select a weapons integrator for its revolutionary new product, GHOST.

GHOST is a high-speed attack craft specifically designed to protect vital waterways like the Straits of Hormuz and to counter threats such as piracy, which is increasing in many areas of the world.

GHOST has been compared to an attack helicopter on the water. It uses supercavitation technology and high-performance jet engines to achieve hull friction reduction and high speed. Its large fuel capacity allows for long duration missions and its heavy weapons payload capacity ensures it can be weaponized to meet any threat.

JMS continues to focus on fleet security and has been studying the problem of how to counter swarm attacks for several years. Research indicates future conflicts will happen in strategic littoral waters, requiring naval forces to operate close to shore. Most navies operating in these regions have deployed large ships that are not weaponized or agile enough to protect against swarms of high-speed boats. The GHOST's unique combination of speed, maneuverability, endurance and payload provide the key ingredients for an outer layer of fleet defense that would engage potential swarming adversaries before they reach their effective attack range.

Deployed, GHOST would have the capability to conduct long duration patrols and missions. Two squadrons of GHOSTs operating from Bahrain or Djibouti would effectively provide protection to the destroyers or cruisers operating within the littoral region. JMS President and CEO Gregory Sancoff stated, "No country would be able to keep Iran from closing the Straits of Hormuz without conflict with Iran's small high-speed boats. These swarm attacks are the Navy's equivalent of the IED. GHOST is the counter-IED solution to this hit and run attack weapon."

JMS is currently in discussions with defense companies to implement an off-the-shelf weapons solution. Sancoff says, "We do not have to reinvent the wheel; there are several systems today that would provide ample power and fit the mission characteristics." The GHOST is designed to conceal all weapons in enclosed weapons bays. This feature provides for an improved radar cross section, reducing GHOST's radar signature significantly and allowing GHOST to carry the most sophisticated weapons available today.

JMS plans to seek ITAR approval of international partners to support deployment of GHOSTs. Iran's threat to close the Straits of Hormuz, an area critical for international navigation, is of great concern. Sancoff says, "GHOST would be a very important and cost effective security tool to exert a constant presence in this troubled region."

Cockpit view...........

-ends-