BAE to Support US Navy Submarine Torpedos

The U.S. Navy has awarded BAE Systems an $80 million contract to continue providing systems engineering and other technical services to support the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Keyport Division in Washington State. BAE Systems, along with six local subcontractors, will assist the Navy in maintaining the operational readiness of submarine torpedoes and other weapon systems. NUWC is the Navy’s full-spectrum research, development, test and evaluation, engineering, and Fleet support center for submarines, surface and air anti-submarine warfare systems, autonomous underwater systems, and offensive and defensive weapons systems associated with undersea warfare and related areas of homeland security and national defense. The three-year contract, managed by Naval Sea Systems Command, builds on BAE Systems’ ongoing support of the Navy’s submarine weapons programs. For more than 30 years, the company has provided a range of services to NUWC in Keyport, Washington; Newport, Rhode Island; and Groton, Connecticut. In addition, for more than 40 years, BAE Systems has provided systems engineering and integration to the Navy’s submarine-based Strategic Systems Programs. That workforce, based in Rockville, Maryland, ensures the readiness of the Trident II fleet ballistic missile and the SSGN Attack Weapons System. At the Keyport site, the BAE Systems team provides life-cycle systems support services for the Heavyweight and Lightweight Torpedo, and for information assurance and submarine towed systems. These services include engineering and technical support, performance analysis and monitoring, training, logistics, troubleshooting and problem resolution, and project management. The team also supports tactical software systems development at Keyport, in addition to administrative, training and ammunition operations at the Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific in nearby Bangor, Washington.

Raytheon delivers second Phalanx Block 1B for Australia's Air Warfare Destroyer

Raytheon delivered the second Phalanx Block 1B Close-In Weapon System for installation on Australia's newest Air Warfare Destroyer, the Brisbane. A previously awarded direct commercial sale contract calls for a total of three Phalanx mounts to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy. The first mount was delivered in late 2012 for installation aboard the Hobart. A third system is under construction and will be installed on the Sydney in 2014 . The 6,500 metric ton Hobart Class AWD is based on the Navantia Spanish F100 ship design. It is being developed and built by the AWD Alliance, with the Australian Government (represented by the Defence Materiel Organisation) as owner-participant, with ASC as the shipbuilder and with Raytheon Australia as the Mission Systems Integrator. Phalanx is a rapid-fire, computer-controlled radar and 20 mm gun system that automatically acquires, tracks and destroys enemy threats that have penetrated all other ship defense systems. More than 890 systems have been built and deployed in the navies of 25 nations. These Hobart Class AWDs will provide air defence for accompanying ships in addition to land forces and infrastructure in coastal areas, and for self-protection against missiles and aircraft. The Aegis Combat System incorporating the state-of-the-art phased array radar, AN/SPY 1D(V), in combination with the SM-2 missile, will provide an advanced air defence system capable of engaging enemy aircraft and missiles at ranges in excess of 150km. The AWDs will carry a helicopter for surveillance and response to support key warfare areas. The surface warfare function will include long range anti-ship missiles and a naval gun capable of firing extended range munitions in support of land forces. The Hobart Class will also conduct Under sea Warfare and be equipped with modern sonar systems, decoys, surface-launched torpedoes and an array of effective close-in defensive weapons.

US Navy to Deploy Laser Weapon System

The U.S. Navy announced last Monday that it is preparing to deploy a new laser weapon capable of destroying planes, drones and boats.
LaWS has been in development for six years at a cost of $40 million. The gun was tested in California last summer, aboard the destroyer USS Dewey, and it went 12 for 12, shooting down drones and fast boats.
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) and Naval Sea Systems Command recently performed demonstrations of high-energy lasers aboard a moving surface combatant ship, as well as against remotely piloted aircraft. Through careful planning of such demonstrations and by leveraging investments made through other Department of Defense (DoD) agencies, researchers have been able to increase the ruggedness, power and beam quality of lasers, more than doubling the range of the weapons.
Officials consider the solid-state laser a revolutionary technology that gives the Navy an extremely affordable, multi-mission weapon with a deep magazine and unmatched precision, targeting and control functions. Because lasers run on electricity, they can be fired as long as there is power and provide a measure of safety as they don't require carrying propellants and explosives aboard ships.

Lasers complement kinetic weapons to create a layered ship defense capability, providing improved protection against swarming small boats and unmanned aircraft at a fraction of the cost of traditional weapons.

The advancing technology gives sailors a variety of options they never had before, including the ability to control a laser weapon's output and perform actions ranging from non-lethal disabling and deterrence all the way up to destruction.

General Dynamics Completes Critical Design Review for Knifefish Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Undersea Vehicle

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems has successfully completed the critical design review for Knifefish, the surface-mine countermeasure unmanned undersea vehicle (SMCM UUV), one month ahead of schedule. The General Dynamics team will now begin the development of the system hardware and software to integrate the approved design via the fabrication of three engineering development modules. Knifefish is an essential component of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) mine countermeasure (MCM) mission package, providing U.S. Navy commanders and sailors with enhanced mine-hunting capabilities.
Expected to attain initial operational capability in 2017, Knifefish is the first heavyweight-class mainstream mine countermeasure (MCM) UUV that will address the Navy's need to reliably detect and classify mines resting on the seafloor and buried mines in high-clutter environments and areas with potential for mine burial. Knifefish also gathers environmental data to provide intelligence support for other mine warfare systems.
Knifefish will help greatly reduce risk to Navy personnel and ships by operating in minefields as an off-board sensor, while the host ship stays outside the minefield boundaries. The modular, open Knifefish has been designed to integrate with both variants of LCS via the common LCS interface control document.
The U.S. Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) awarded General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems a contract to design and build Knifefish in September 2011. The General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems team on the Knifefish program includes Bluefin Robotics (Quincy, Mass.), Ultra Electronic Ocean Systems (Braintree, Mass.), Oceaneering International, Inc. (Houston, Texas), Metron (Reston, Va.), Applied Research Laboratory at Penn State University (State College, Pa.), 3 Phoenix (Hanover, Md.), General Dynamics Information Technology (Fairfax, Va.) and ASRC Research Technology Solutions (Greenbelt, Md.).

DARPA's Distributed Agile Submarine Hunting Program Tests Submarine Hunter Prototypes

DARPA’s Distributed Agile Submarine Hunting (DASH) Program has tested two complementary submarine hunter prototype systems as part of its Phase 2 development effort. The prototypes demonstrated functional sonar, communications and mobility at deep depths. The successful tests furthered DASH’sgoals to apply advances in deep-ocean distributed sonar to help find and track quiet submarines. The (DASH) program intends to reverse the asymmetric advantage of quiet submarine threat, through the development of advanced standoff sensing from unmanned systems. The first prototype is the Transformational Reliable Acoustic Path System (TRAPS), developed by a team led by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). TRAPS is a fixed passive sonar node designed to achieve large-area coverage by exploiting advantages of operating from the deep seafloor. This expendable, low-size, weight and power (SWaP) node communicated to a stationary surface node via wireless acoustic modems, with further secure RF reach back to the performer’s facilities via satellite. The second prototype is the Submarine Hold at RisK (SHARK), an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) developed by a team led by Applied Physical Systems (APS). SHARK intends to provide a mobile active sonar platform to track submarines after initial detections are made. APS team member Bluefin Robotics recently deployed the prototype to depth in February 2013. A third DASH team member, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, supported the physical network layers that both teams used. TRAPS and SHARK are scheduled to demonstrate their core sonar functionality together. Subsequent efforts may follow to realize multiple sonar nodes as well as the integration of the SHARK UUV with its sonar.

Sea based X-Band Floating Radar

X-BAND RADAR PHOTO:MDA

The Sea based X-Band Radar (SBX) a self- propelled, semi-submersible radar station is the tracking and discrimination radar used as part of the US Missile Defense Agency’s Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system against long range ballistic missiles. This is the world's largest X-band radar. SBX, a key component of the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program, consists of an advanced radar system mounted on a sea-going platform. SBX is capable to track, discriminate and assess long-range ballistic missile threats. SBX passes data to elements of the GMD system to facilitate the interception of missiles by ground-based interceptors. The radar will continue to relay updated targeting information after an interceptor launches its kill vehicle toward the incoming target. It is based off the coast of Alaska and is linked to 10 ground-based interceptor missiles deployed at Fort Greely in Alaska and Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. By providing the radar with a sea-borne mobility, this sensor can be deployed to support either GMD system testing or to provide radar coverage for possible threat missile launches throughout the world. The radar (known as X - Band Radar or XBR) is designed, built and tested by Raytheon. XBR is a mechanically-slewed phased array sensor that uses the most advanced electronic components and software. Its high output power, along with sophisticated signal detection algorithms, allow the radar to accomplish its mission against a host of very small targets and at very long ranges. To protect the radar from the anticipated harsh environments, an air- supported radome was devel- oped using a unique synthetic laminated fabric and innovative assembly techniques. The radar is described by Lt. Gen Trey Obering (director of MDA) as being able to track an object the size of a baseball over San Francisco in California from the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, approximately 2900 miles. The SBX radar system has a continuous communications between the platform and shore facilities, provided via a commercial C-band satellite, using a unique redundant dual-antenna system designed and furnished by Harris Maritime Communication Services (MCS) subsidiary. SBX's floating platform, a modified oil-drilling vessel Moss CS-50, measures 240 feet wide and 390 feet long. It includes a power plant, bridge and control rooms, living quarters, storage areas and the infrastructure necessary to support the massive X-band radar. Moss CS-50 is a fifth generation, semi-submersible, multi-purpose bare deck platform built by Norway's Moss Maritime AS. The height from the water surface to the top of the radar dome will be 250 ft. The SBX has a submerged draft displacement of 50,600 tons. The platform is twin-hulled, self-propelled and designed to be stable in high winds and turbulent sea conditions. Its bare deck is strong enough to accommodate a topside structure with the weight up to 20,000t. With a main deck area larger than a football field, the SBX is self-sufficient and contains an infrastructure that will support deployment for extended periods of time. The GMD System, as well as the SBX component, were developed under the direction of the Boeing Company, the prime contractor. As prime contractor for the GMD program, Boeing is responsible for the development and integration of the GMD system components, including the SBX; ground-based interceptor; battle management, command, control and communication systems; early warning radars; and interfaces to the Defense Support Program early warning satellite system. The Missile Defense Agency completed integration of the SBX platform and radar in the spring of 2005 at a cost of approximately $900 million. United States has deployed this sea-based radar to the ocean east of Japan to track any North Korean ballistic missile launches.

Rolls Royce to Supply Azipull Propulsion System for Electric Catamaran-ZeroCat

Rolls-Royce has signed a contract for the delivery of its highly efficient Azipull propulsion and control system for the 'ferry of the future', a new vessel which will operate on battery power alone. The vessel is being built at the Fjellstrand yard in Norway, and once in service will be operated by Norwegian transport company Norled between Lavik and Oppedal. The 80-meter electric car ferry called ZeroCat has been jointly developed by electronic manufacturer Siemens, the Norwegian shipyard Fjellstrand, and shipping company Norled as part of a competition organized by Norway’s Ministry of Transport. The electric ferry expected to begin operations from 2015 onwards. Rather than a diesel engine, ZeroCat is equipped with electric motors to drive the ship’s two screws. These motors are powered by a battery weighing 10 metric tons. In 2010, the Norwegian Ministry of Transport announced a tender to develop a new ferry that was 15 to 20 per cent more energy efficient than existing vessels. The Rolls-Royce Azipull propulsion system, which utilizes pulling propellers as opposed to conventional azimuth thrusters will help the battery powered, aluminium catamaran meet these standards. The ferry will have a capacity of 120 cars and 360 passengers, and will operate at a speed of about 10 knots, taking 20 minutes to cross between Lavik and Oppedal. The ferry will charge its lithium-ion batteries while loading or unloading cars, and overnight when moored along the quay. The Azipull combines the advantages of the pulling propeller with the flexibility of mechanical drive.The propeller rotates 360 degrees around the vertical axis so that the thruster can perform both the propulsion and steering duties. It is designed to offer efficient propulsion and manoeuvring on higher speed vessels (Typically 20-25 knots). The streamlined leg and skeg recover swirl energy from the slipstream, raising overall propulsive efficiency. As a catamaran with two slim hulls, it offers less resistance in the water than a conventional vessel. The hulls are also made of aluminium instead of heavier steel. Overall, the ferry weighs half as much as a conventional design. It is powered by two 10-tonne (11-ton) electric motors, each one driving a separate propeller. Those motors have a combined maximum output of 800 kilowatts, although for the ferry’s usual cruising speed of 10 knots, an output of 400 kW should suffice.” The ZeroCat™ will be able to recharge in 10 minutes when docked during the load/unload process.

U.S Navy Lays Keel for 12th Virginia Class Submarine-John Warner

U.S Navy celebrated the keel laying of Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) John Warner (SSN 785) at Huntington Ingalls Industries - Newport News Shipbuilding (HII -NNS) in Newport News, Valencia, on March 16.

The submarine is named for former five-term U.S. Senator from Virginia and Secretary of the Navy John Warner.
John Warner's keel laying is the submarine's first major event since it began construction in March 2010. The submarine is on track to continue the Virginia-class program's trend of delivering submarines early to their contract delivery dates and meeting the incredibly stringent standards expected of U.S. submarines.

John Warner is the 12th submarine of the Virginia class and the second of the block III construction contract. Virginia-class submarines are built under a unique construction contract between HII-NNS and General Dynamics Electric Boat.

Warner's keel laying is the first of several major shipbuilding milestones for the Virginia-class program in 2013. PCU Minnesota's (SSN 783) commissioning is scheduled for Sept. 7 and PCU North Dakota's (SSN 784) christening is expected this fall. PCU Delaware (SSN 791) will begin construction Sept. 2.

Virginia Class submarines are designed to dominate the world's littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface ship warfare; strike warfare; special operation forces support; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions. Their inherent stealth, endurance, mobility, and firepower directly enable them to support five of the six Maritime Strategy Core Capabilities - sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.
 

Austal awarded additional Littoral Combat Ship work

The United States Department of Defense has announced that Austal USA has been awarded a US$19.987 million modification to a previously awarded Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) contract. The modification exercises options for class service efforts and special studies, analyses and reviews for the LCS program.

Austal USA will assess engineering and production challenges, and evaluate the cost and schedule risks, from affordability efforts to reduce LCS acquisition and lifecycle costs. Work is expected to be completed by March 2014.

Babcock Contracted to Provide British Astute 6 & 7 Submarine's Weapon Handling and Launch systems

U.K MoD has awarded Babcock, a contract to supply its state of the art weapon handling and launch system (WHLS) for British Navy's sixth and seventh Astute class submarines, This full system contract follows one awarded last year for long-lead items, amounting to a total value of circa £55m. The Astute class WHLS is the first on a UK Royal Navy submarine to use Babcock’s advanced air turbine pump (ATP) and programmable firing valve (PFV) technology, which offers a number of valuable advantages. The ATP is an air driven rotary pump that displaces a volume of water to launch a weapon from a torpedo tube. The programmable firing valve (PFV) is usedto control the ATP firing air profile, allowing the system to match the launch requirements precisely to a range of variables including weapon type, boat speed and depth. The system is more compact than previous systems (with space saving benefits), more efficient (using substantially less firing air), and quieter with a lower noise signature, as well as having lower maintenance requirements and reduced through-life costs. Two ATP/PFV systems are installed per boat, giving independent port and starboard operation providing operational and reliability benefits. Further, the Astute class WHLS from Babcock is capable of carrying more torpedoes and tube-launched missiles than any previous class of RN submarine, and comprises equipment toembark, store, reposition and load weapons into the torpedo tubes. Configuration of the weapons within the Weapon Stowage Compartment (WSC) has been developed to provide the highest weapon packing density, and the weapons are protected in the WSC using a unique method of shock mounting, providing adaptable protection according to the number of weapons stored on each stowage tier. This improves crew safety and maximises potential for the system to continue to function following a shock event. Responding to the MoD challenge, Babcock has generated significant savings as a result of the combined twoboat contract and the efficiencies and economies of scale this allows the project team to realise, both internally and with the ability to place two-boat orders with subcontractors. Babcock has designed and supplied the WHLS for the first five Astute class boats Astute, Ambush, Artful, Audacious and Anson under previous contracts. The first of the equipment for boat 6 under this latest contract is scheduled for delivery in spring 2014.

Austal Completes U.S Navy JHSV-2 Choctaw County Ship Sea Trials

JHSV Choctaw County,U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Damian Berg

Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) 2, the future U.S Navy Choctaw County, successfully completed builder's sea trials from March 7-8, in Mobile, Alabama. The ship, now under construction at Austal USA, is the second ship of the JHSV class. Builder's trials are a significant step in the construction and delivery of a ship to the fleet and are the first opportunity to operate the ship underway and test overall system performance prior to demonstration to the U.S Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). Trials included operating the ship's propulsion plant for many hours at different power levels, up to full power; testing and calibration of communication and navigational systems; ride control systems testing; and pollution control systems tests. Maneuverability trials tested the ship's four steerable water jets while a series of high-speed turns demonstrated the stability and agility of JHSV's catamaran hull form. The ship reached speeds of more than 41 knots. Choctaw County is expected to deliver to the U.S Navy this summer. JHSVs are versatile, non-combatant, transport ships used for fast intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles, and equipment. JHSV is designed to commercial standards, with limited modifications for military use. The vessel is capable of transporting 600 short tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots and can operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways, interfacing with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities, and on/off-loading a combat-loaded Abrams Main Battle Tank (M1A2). Other joint requirements include an aviation flight deck to support day and night aircraft launch and recovery operations. JHSV 2 will have airline style seating for 312 embarked forces with fixed berthing for 104.

Russia to Field Stealthy Fifth Generation Submarines

Russian Amur

Russia is developing its newest fifth-generation stealthy nuclear-powered and diesel submarines at Russia's Rubin Central Design Bureau, Rubin head Igor Vilnit said on Monday, Ria Novosti reported. The Russian Navy currently relies on third-generation submarines with fourth-generation subs of the Yury Dolgoruky (Project 955 Borey) and St. Petersburg (Project 677 Lada) class just beginning to be adopted for service. In addition to Rubin, Defense Ministry research centers and the Navy Institute, as well as Rubin’s partners and contractors, are currently working to develop a basic design of the fifth-generation submarine. The new submarine will have a service life of about 50 years, he said. The fifth generation will be distinguished by its lowered noise, automated control systems, reactor safety, and long-range weapons. The Defense Ministry previously said Russia is planning to develop its fifth-generation submarine by 2020 under a 2011-2020 arms procurement program, to be armed with both ballistic and cruise missiles. The distinguishing feature of Russia’s newest, fifth-generation submarines will be stealth rather than higher speed or greater depth capabilities, Vladimir Dorofeyev, head of the Malakhit Design Bureau, said on Tuesday. The fifth-generation submarine will acquire new capabilities through close interaction with other components of the Armed Forces,including surface warships, warplanes, spacecraft, satellites, as well as other submarines, based on an integrated information space, he said. Russia also plans to build eight fourth-generation strategic nuclear subs by 2020 and arm them with Bulava submarine -launched ballistic missiles.

BAe Completes Bridge Integration On HMS Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier

Babcock Marine completed the integration of the bridge section, onto the Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth The island is a crucial component of the ship, containing the main bridge and around 100 vital mission systems compartments. The event was witnessed by the Secretary of State for Defence, Phillip Hammond, MP. The circa 600 tonne forward island – which arrived at Babcock’s Rosyth facility (where the carriers are being assembled) from BAE Systems in Portsmouth on 11 February – was lifted into position on HMS Queen Elizabeth’s flight deck by the massive Goliath crane,which had a special 78 tonne lifting frame attached for the purpose. The lift process began with the attachment of the crane to the lifting frame, and application of a percentage of the island weight to the crane to confirm the predicted centre of gravity. After some minor adjustments the crane took the full weight of the Island, lifted it over the aircraft carrier flight deck and located it in its final position. Although not the heaviest lift of the project, the island’s geometry and shape presented significant challenges. Also demanding was the alignment of the 2.4 metre diameter gas turbine exhausts which were pre-fitted in the island and below in the ship superstructure. The 22 metre high by 13 metre wide and 27 metre long Upper Block 07, as the forward island is known, already has all consoles installed, as well as 43km of cables and 3,101 pipes. The floor-to-ceiling windows of the main bridge are up to two metres high, providing an exceptional level of visibility. With the island in place, the Long Range Radar (LRR) will now be installed on top. This will be closely followed by a period of consolidation when the island will be welded to the superstructure and mechanical and electrical systems installed. The later phase of the project will see the LRR set to work and fully integrated with the ship systems. Uniquely, the QEC carriers will feature two islands. The second ‘aft island’ is due to arrive and be installed by the end of July 2013 and will operate as an airport control tower to co-ordinate aircraft movements. Both islands are designed with the ability to carry out each other’s role in an emergency. Nearly two thirds of the ship has now been built and the structure is due to be completed by the end of this year. The Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers will be the biggest and most powerful surface warships ever constructed for the Royal Navy. The carrier is then expected to leave the dockyard in 2014 before beginning sea trials with the Royal Navy. The forward island, houses the bridge where the captain and navigation crew will operate. The enormous steel section was built in Portsmouth and transported by barge to Fife, where the carriers are being assembled. Both HMS Queen Elizabeth and her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, will have 2 island sections which will provide independent control of navigation and air traffic control operations. The two Queen Elizabeth Class will be utilised by all three sectors of the UK Armed Forces and will provide eight acres of sovereign territory which can be deployed around the world. The HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales will have increased survivability as a result of the separation and distribution of power generation machinery through out each ship. The class has been designed with twin islands, which separates the running of the ship from the flying operations resulting in greater visibility of flying operations. The vessels will displace about 65,000 tonnes(64,000 long tons ), be 280 metres (920 ft) long.The projected cost of the programme is £5.9 billion. It will carry a mix of 40 helicopters and fighter jets.Initially the ships will carry only helicopters, until the F-35C stealth fighter arrives in 2020. It will use an 110MW electric propulsion system that enables the prime movers to operate more efficiently.It has an 10000 nautical mile range, with a 25+knots speed. Both ships are expected to serve for up to 50 years.

Raytheon's 5th generation hull mounted sonar to enable anti-submarine, undersea warfare

Raytheon was awarded a sub-contract from Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) to deliver its first 5th generation medium frequency hull mounted sonar system as part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Anti-Submarine Warfare Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) program.
According to the U.S. Navy, 43 nations operate more than 600 submarines; the steady increase in undersea vessels makes tracking a challenge.
Raytheon's Modular Scalable Sonar System (MS³) will integrate into SAIC's prototype trimaran vessel as the primary search and detection sonar. The system is designed to provide search, detection, passive-threat filtering, localization and tracking capabilities without requiring human operation.
MS³ enables anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and undersea warfare with capabilities such as active and passive search, torpedo detection and alertness, and small object avoidance.
Data from multiple sonars may be fed to a central command and control node, providing a common operating picture as part of the ASW mission. By integrating a host of capabilities in a single sonar system, Raytheon delivers an affordable solution that addresses critical naval challenges. 
"Historically, manned sonars were central to anti-submarine warfare missions. However, the growing number of submarines traversing the world's oceans makes this model unsustainable," said Joe Biondi, vice president of Advanced Technology for Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business. "By leveraging Raytheon's heritage in developing undersea sensors, MS³ can be configured to provide the capabilities required for ASW in an autonomous environment."
The Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Continuous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV) is developing an unmanned vessel optimized to robustly track quiet diesel electric submarines. The program is structured around three primary goals:

• Explore the performance potential of a surface platform conceived from concept to field demonstration under the premise that a human is never intended to step aboard at any point in its operating cycle.  As a result, a new design paradigm emerges with reduced constraints on conventional naval architecture elements such as layout, accessibility, crew support systems, reserve buoyancy and dynamic stability.  The objective is to generate a vessel design that exceeds state-of-the art platform performance to provide complete propulsive overmatch against diesel electric submarines at a fraction of their size and cost.
   
• Advance unmanned maritime system autonomy to enable independently deploying systems capable of missions spanning thousands of kilometers of range and months of endurance under a sparse remote supervisory control model.  This includes autonomous compliance with maritime laws and conventions for safe navigation, autonomous system management for operational reliability, and autonomous interactions with an intelligent adversary.
   
• Demonstrate the capability of the ACTUV system to use its unique characteristics to employ non-conventional sensor technologies that achieve robust continuous track of the quietest submarine targets over their entire operating envelope.

While the ACTUV program is focused on demonstrating the ASW tracking capability in this configuration, the core platform and autonomy technologies are broadly extendable to underpin a wide range of missions and configurations for future unmanned naval vessels.
The program has four phases. During phase 1, the program refined and validated the system concept and associated performance metrics, completing risk reduction testing to inform program risks associated with submarine tracking sensors and maritime autonomy. In August 2012, DARPA awarded a contract for phases 2-4.  The program plans the following in upcoming phases: Design a vessel (Phase 2); Build a vessel (Phase 3) and test the vessel (Phase 4). Operational prototype at-sea testing is expected in mid-2015.

Rolls-Royce Delivers Advanced Waterjets US Navy Freedom Littoral Combat Ship

Rolls-Royce, has delivered the new and advanced Axial Mk1 waterjet for the latest Freedom-variant of the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class, currently under construction for the U.S. Navy. Rolls-Royce Axial Mk1 waterjets are very power dense, delivering more cavitation-freeperformance for their size and power than any other waterjet. At 22MW of power, a single waterjet of this scale can move almost half a million gallons of seawater per minute. Four of these waterjets will propel the LCS at speeds in excess of 40 knots. This delivery marks the successful completion of the Office of Naval Research's (ONR) Future Naval Capabilities (FNC) program for “Compact, High Power Density Waterjets”. This new, highly efficient waterjet will now be standard equipment for all future Freedom variants of the Littoral Combat Ships supplied to the U.S. Navy by Lockheed Martin. The delivery of these waterjets is the culmination of a successful teaming betweenindustry, ONR, the Naval Surface Warfare Center – Carderock Division, and the LCS Program Office. The new waterjets are produced in the United States, with primary manufacturing activity at Rolls-Royce facilities in Walpole, Massachusetts and Pascagoula, Mississippi. The underlying design of the Rolls-Royce Axial Mk1 waterjet has also been scaled for other research and development activity within the U.S. Navy. Last year the power dense waterjet was retrofitted on Sealion, theSpecial Operations test craft, for performance demonstration tests. Most recently, Rolls-Royce has provided the Navy's unmanned technology community with a 100mm diameter scaled design for the X-Class USV program MUSCL. Rolls-Royce manufactures a wide range of waterjets that power craft ranging from small patrol boats, to naval ships and the world's largest high speed ferries. Waterjets provide high levels of manoeuvrability and efficiency and are particularly suited to vessels operating in shallow waters.

UK MOD awards £800 million submarine propulsion contract

Computer Graphics of Astute Class Sub

The UK MOD has awarded an £800 million contract to Rolls-Royce to deliver and maintain the UK's nuclear propulsion capability for submarines.
Under the 10-year contract, which will help sustain around 2,000 jobs across the UK, Rolls-Royce will deliver and maintain the nuclear power source for the Royal Navy’s Astute Class and future Successor deterrent submarines.
Part of the Submarine enterprise performance programme (SEPP), this contract will also help the company to transform its operations to carry out its work at best value for the taxpayer. By consolidating costs into one agreement, MOD and Rolls-Royce expect to make savings of around £200 million over the next decade.
This contract goes a long way towards meeting the government’s commitment to SEPP, as announced in the 2010 Strategic defence and security review, to make at least £900 million of savings by restructuring the UK’s nuclear submarine industry.
Productive negotiations between MOD and Rolls-Royce mean the savings secured by this contract will not lead to any reduction in the required level of output for the submarine programme, which includes the production of the propulsion systems for the Astute and next-generation Successor classes of submarines.

Rolls Royce Completes Installation of MT 30 Gas Turbine Engine for British HMS Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier

Rolls-Royce, last week successfully completed the installation of the first MT30 gas turbine into the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth , at Babcock’s Rosyth shipyardin Scotland. The MT30, at 36 megawatts (around 50,000 horsepower),is the world’s most powerful marine gas turbine. Two MT30s will be installed in each ship and will provide two thirds of the 109 megawatts needed to power the 65,000 tonne ships – enough energy to power a town the size of Swindon. The MT30s are installed as part of a Gas Turbine Alternator (GTA) which also includes an alternator and gas turbine enclosure, weighing a total of 120 tonnes. It has been the culmination of many years of hard work to ensure the timely delivery of this first complete MT30 gas turbine alternator, which along with its twin will deliver around two thirds of the electrical power generated onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth. The installation involved the lifting of the MT30 gas turbine and associated ancillary equipment - housed in a steel package known as the gas turbine enclosure - onto the ship structure. With the enclosure in place, the large alternator, which is driven by the gas turbine to produce electrical power, was then hoisted into place The MT30 gas turbine is derived from the Rolls-Royce Trent 800 aero engine which powers the Boeing 777 aircraft, with around 80 per cent of the parts being the same. The MT30 currently powers the US Navy’s Freedom Class variant of the Littoral Combat Ship, will power their new DDG-1000 destroyers and was recently selected for the Republic of Korea Navy’s new FFXII frigate. Modular production of the MT30 begins on the same production line as the Rolls-Royce Trent aero engines in Derby, before the modules are assembled into the marine configuration, and put through a rigorous test and certification programme at the Rolls-Royce facility in Bristol. The power generated will meet the aircraft carrier’s demand for energy, which includes the propulsion motors, weapons and navigation systems as well as the entire low voltage requirements for lighting and power sockets. The four GTA packages (two per ship) are assembled by Cullums Detuners of Derbyshire. Due to the size, the alternator and gas turbine enclosure are shipped to Rosyth separately. Queen Elizabeth class is a class of two aircraft carriers being built for the Royal Navy. HMS Queen Elizabeth is expected to enter service in 2016 and HMS Prince of Wales in 2018. The vessels will displace about 65,000 tonnes (64,000 long tons ), be 280 metres (920 ft) long and have a tailored air group of up to forty aircraft. They will be the largest warships ever constructed for the Royal Navy. The projected cost of the programme is £5.9 billion.

Cassidian's TRS-4D AESA Naval Radar to Equip German F125 Class Frigates

Image: Arge F125

The German Navy's F125 class frigates will be equipped with Cassidian's newly developed TRS-4D naval radar, which will provide them with reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities that are unique worldwide. Cassidian, the defence and security division of EADS, has now successfully passed the first factory acceptance test for the radar system carried out by the customers, the German procurement authority BAAINBw and Blohm + Voss Naval. The first unit, which will equip a land-based system in Wilhelmshaven, is planned to be delivered next month. The first TRS-4D for the "Baden-Württemberg" lead ship is scheduled for delivery in August. "This new radar guarantees high operational availability on long-term missions and also improves the survivabilityof navy ships," explains Elmar Compans, head of the Sensors & Electronic Warfare unit at Cassidian. TRS-4D enables ships ranging from patrol vessels to frigates to carry out the various detection tasks required of ship-borne, medium-range radar systems both in the open sea as well as in complex coastal zones with a high target density. Compared to conventional radars, this more accurate, faster system now tackles a wider-than-ever scope of targets, e.g. for protection against asymmetric attacks. The new radar is based on a unique system concept. In contrast to any other systems available on the market, the TRS-4D is the first surveillance radar to make full use of the advantages of AESA technology (AESA = Active Electronically Scanned Array), which is based on multiple independent emitters. This results in a detection performance that is unprecedented worldwide. The core element of AESA technology as it is used here is a multitude of Cassidian-made transmit and receive modules based on the very latest gallium nitride (GaN) technology. GaN has unique electronic features such as high power efficiency, and also allows for very efficient industrial production processes. Cassidian is the European leader in this technology. The TRS-4D system concept provides navies and coast guards with all of the benefits of AESA technology, which up to now had only been available in very expensive systems. Cassidian is now also making this technology competitive for medium-sized surveillance and target acquisition radars. For the F125 frigates the system will be deployed in a version with four fixed arrays. However, a version with a single, mechanically rotating antenna is also available. The four F125 frigates of the "Baden Württemberg" class should replace the F122 "Bremen" class ships from 2016.

Third Russian Borey Class Submarine Under Testing

Russian submarine-builder Sevmash has begun moored tests of the third Borey-class (Project 955) ballistic missile submarine Vladimir Monomakh, the shipyard said on Friday, Ria Novosti reported. "The fourth-generation missile submarine Vladimir Monomakh has been submerged in the water and started moored tests," Sevmash said. Shipyard sea trials will start in the summer of this year, Sevmash said. Vladimir Monomakh will be the third and last Project 955 boat, armed with 16 Bulava ballistic missiles . The fourth and subsequent boats will be Project 955A vessels with 20 missiles. The fourth boat, Knyaz Vladimir, is under construction. Vladimir Monomakh has also been built with the incorporation of the latest acoustic signature reduction techniques, Sevmash said. The Russian Navy accepted into service the first boat of the class, Yury Dolgoruky, on January 10. The second in the class, Alexander Nevsky, is currently undertaking sea trials and is due to enter service this year.

Russian Navy Commissions First Borey Class Nuclear Powered Submarine

Russian Navy commissioned its first Borey class nuclear powered ballistic submarine the Yury Dolgoruky, on Thursday to its pacific fleet. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu attended the flag hoisting ceremony at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk in northern Russia. The signing of the acceptance act by the Defense Ministry took place on December 29. The fourth generation Borey class submarines are expected to form the core of Russia's strategic submarine fleet, replacing the aging Project 941 (NATO Typhoon class) and Project 667 class (Delta-3 and Delta-4) boats. Russia is planning to build eight Borey and Borey-A class subs by 2020. A Borey class submarine displaces 24000 tons when submerged and is 580 feet(170 meters) long, has a hull diameter of 42 feet (13 meters), and a crew of 107, including 55 officers, a maximum depth of about 1,500 feet (450 meters) and a submerged speed of about 29 knots. All the Borey class strategic submarines carry up to 16 Bulava ballistic missiles with multiple warheads(MIRV).