Zitat:Der Chef entlassen, der Ruf beschädigt: Gerade noch schien es, als würde bei Boeing alles schief laufen. Nun verhilft die US-Marine dem Industriegiganten doch zu einer guten Nachricht. Sie will 210 Kampfflugzeuge bei Boeing kaufen. (...)

Zitat:Navy Plans to Buy Fewer Ships

Sep 7, 2004, 04:34 |


Squeezed by budget constraints, the Navy is proposing significant cuts in its shipbuilding program that could batter the already struggling industry.

The proposal comes as top Pentagon officials consider shifting the military's focus from preparing for large-scale warfare to training more specialized forces for guerrilla warfare, long-term peacekeeping and counter-terrorism efforts. The changes could eventually mean a reallocation of resources from traditional weapons such as ships, tanks and planes in favor of more troops, elite Special Operations forces and intelligence gathering. [...]

Zitat:Northrop Grumman-built New York (LPD 21) Represents Nation's Resolve to Never Forget




(Source: Northrop Grumman Corp.; issued Sept. 10, 2004)


NEW ORLEANS --- In describing the Northrop Grumman-built amphibious transport dock ship New York (LPD 21) and her sister ships today, U.S. Navy Secretary Gordon England said, “These ships...these champions of freedom, stand for life, liberty and the pursuit of all who threaten it and will ensure that we will never forget 9/11.”

England spoke during a keel laying ceremony held at the company’s Ship Systems sector here. Naming LPD 21 New York honors the victims and heroes of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001.

“These ships will take the fight to the terrorists who threaten the peace and freedom of the world,” said England. “New York, the sailors and Marines who serve America, and the men and women of Northrop Grumman will never forget and will never fail. Today, we renew our grief and we renew our resolve to, in the words of the ship’s motto, ‘Never Forget’.”

“On behalf of all the sailors and Marines who will go to sea on USS New York and all the other great ships that are built here at Northrop Grumman, I just want to say thank you to all the workers here for what you do in building the best ships in the world for our sailors and Marines.”

England’s wife, Dotty H. England, the ship’s sponsor, declared the keel of New York to be “truly and fairly laid,” following the ceremonial welding of her initials onto a steel plate.

“This asset will further enable our expeditionary forces to maintain world peace and stability,” said Philip A. Dur, president, Northrop Grumman Ship Systems. “LPD 21 will provide the foundation for quick, decisive and effective response during times of crisis or conflict. As proud and patriotic Americans, Northrop Grumman shipbuilders are building New York with special care, pride and the dedication it deserves as a fitting memorial to the victims and heroes of New York.”

New York (LPD 21) is the fifth ship in the 12-ship LPD 17 series of San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships being built by the company. Construction is taking place at the Ship Systems sector’s Avondale shipyard with fabrication support from the other three Ship Systems facilities in Pascagoula and Gulfport, Miss., as well as Tallulah, La.

In September 2003, more than 24 tons of World Trade Center steel was melted at a Louisiana foundry to cast the bow stem of New York (LPD 21). The World Trade Center steel was provided by the people of New York for use in construction of the ship. The bow stem is the forward most portion of the ship that slices through the water.

Six previous ships, including a battleship, have been named New York. One submarine was named for New York City.

The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships are 684 feet (208.4 meters) long and 105 feet (31.9 meters) wide and will replace the functions of four classes of older amphibious ships. This new class of ship affords the U.S. Navy’s Expeditionary Strike Group with the technology and flexibility to launch and recover amphibious landing craft such as the Landing Craft, Air Cushion; operate an array of rotary-wing aircraft; and carry and launch the Marine Corp’s Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle.

Displacing nearly 25,000 tons, these ships will be the second-largest ships in the Navy’s 21st Century Expeditionary Strike Groups. New York will have a crew of 361 sailors and will be able to carry up to 699 Marines with a surge capability of up to 800 Marines.

Zitat:Maritime Force Protection Command to Activate Oct. 1

NORFOLK, Va. --- The Navy will consolidate the forces it deploys for anti-terrorism and force protection under a single command at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek Oct. 1.

The Maritime Force Protection Command (MARFPCOM), with an annual budget of about $50 million, will be activated to oversee the administration and training of the expeditionary units the Navy deploys overseas to protect ships, aircraft and bases from terrorist attack.

“This is the first time that the Navy has stood up a single entity to focus solely on the Navy’s Expeditionary Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) Force,” said MARFPCOM Commanding Officer, Capt. Mark Kosnik.

MARFPCOM will align four existing components: the Mobile Security Forces, Naval Coastal Warfare, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), and Expeditionary Mobile Diving and Salvage Forces.

Naval Costal Warfare units conduct surveillance patrols and protect harbor areas. The force is comprised of units including Naval Coastal Warfare Squadron Staffs, Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare Units and Inshore Boat Units that can be deployed individually or together depending on the scope of the operational mission.

Mobile Security Squadrons are active-duty units that will eventually include 12 Mobile Security Force detachments. A detachment comprises 83 Sailors, equipped with three air-transportable, 25-foot boats.

A mix of active-duty and Reserve sailors, EOD teams are tasked with eliminating hazards from ordnance that jeopardize operations conducted in support of the national military strategy.
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Zitat:U.S. wants to lease Swedish submarine

By TOMMY GRANDELL, Associated Press
(Published September 27‚ 2004)

STOCKHOLM, Sweden (AP) - The United States wants to lease a Swedish attack submarine for naval exercises in the Baltic Sea in a deal possibly worth tens of millions of dollars, defense officials said Sunday.
The Swedish submarine would play an "enemy" role in the exercises.
"We have asked the government for permission," Swedish military spokesman Anders Hedgren told The Associated Press.
The Swedish submarine also would participate in joint submarine rescue exercises with the Americans, Hedgren said.
Defense Ministry spokeswoman Paula Burreau confirmed that talks were ongoing between Sweden and the United States.
The Green Party, which supports the government in parliament, criticized the proposed deal.
"Sweden has accused the United States for being involved in a war violating international law in Iraq. This deal feels ill-timed under the circumstances," Green Party spokesman Lars Aangstroem said.
Stationing a submarine with a full Swedish crew outside Sweden for a year would cost as much as $21.2 million a year, press reports said.
The 200-foot-long attack submarine has a crew of 33.
Vice Admiral Kirkland H. Donald, Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, praised the Swedish submarines during a visit to Sweden last month.
"The Swedish submarines are silent and have an excellent combat management system. They can be submerged for weeks. I am happy that we are on the same side," Donald said.
Sweden has amended its staunch neutrality policy in recent years, leaving more room for increased military cooperation with other countries. It is a keen contributor to U.N. peacekeeping operations but has not fought a war since invading neighboring Norway in 1814.

Zitat:Langsam scheint sich auch bei den Amis die Erkenntnis durchzusetzen, daß die bisherige Planung bzgl. der Anzahl der SSN überzogen war. Drei Dutzend sind mehr als genug. Auch die Zahlen für andere geplante Einheiten, 30 DDX, bis zu 60 LCS oder die 30 großen NSC sind deutlich zu hoch gegriffen. Aber Bush will den Verteidigungsetat ja nochmal um 4,5% erhöhen. Es ist wirklich verrückt, die schon hoch gerüsteten Amis rüsten in einem Irrsinns Tempo fröhlich weiter und bei der notorisch unterfinanzierten Bundeswehr wird weiter gespart.

Zitat:USA

Im Rahmen einer Feierstunde im Pentagon wurde der neue Marschflugkörper Tactical Tomahawk am 29. September offiziell von der US-Navy akzeptiert.

Tactical Tomahawk (Tomahawk Block IV) soll bereits auf einigen Schiffen installiert sein. Bis 2009 will die US-Navy insgesamt bis zu 2.200 dieser von Raytheon hergestellten, neuen Marschflugkörper beschaffen Sie bringen - bei nahezu halbierten Produktionskosten (729.000 gegenüber 1,4 Mio. US-Dollar) - zahlreiche deutliche Verbesserungen gegenüber den bisher eingesetzten Tomahawk.

So können Flugweg- und Zielplanung direkt auf der Startplattform erfolgen, Zieldaten können noch während des Fluges umprogrammiert werden, der Flugkörper kann vor einem Endanflug auf sein Ziel zunächst "abwartend" über dem Gefechtsfeld kreisen und verfügt auch über die Fähigkeit eines eigenständigen "Battle Damage Assessment". Über Telemetriedaten kann die schießende Einheit darüber hinaus auch, den technischen Zustand des FK auf seinem Flugweg (In-flight Health) beobachten und bei Bedarf korrigierend eingreifen. Schließlich soll der Tactical Tomahawk auch gegen Stören (jamming) der für seine Navigation notwendigen GPS-Satelliteninformationen resistent sein.

Zitat:Navy Retires AIM-54 Phoenix Missile

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. --- After 30 years of highly accomplished service, the U.S. Navy retired its first long-range air-to-air missile, the AIM-54 Phoenix, Sept. 30.

One of the world’s most technologically advanced tactical missiles, the AIM-54 Phoenix was the first operational radar-guided air-to-air missile that could be launched in multiple numbers against different targets from an aircraft, making the Phoenix the Navy’s main fleet air defense long-range weapon.

“The heart of the F-14 Tomcat (soon also to retire) weapons system is the Hughes AWG-9 fire control system, capable of tracking 24 targets and firing six AIM-54 Phoenix air-to-air missiles engaging six different targets,” said Capt. Scott Stewart, the Navy’s program manager for Air-to-Air Missile Systems. “With a range of over 100 miles, the AIM-54 gave the F-14 the greatest stand-off engagement capability of any fighter in the world. For years, Soviet air crews flying Badger, Bear and Backfire bombers feared the unprecedented capabilities of the Phoenix Missile.”

“As we retire the AIM-54 Phoenix missile, we pay tribute to the men and women of Naval Aviation, Grumman and Hughes who designed, tested and operationally employed the Phoenix for over 30 years,” added Stewart. “Since the earliest days of carrier aviation, air superiority fighters have been called upon to provide air cover for the fleet. None have been more formidable in performing this mission than F-14 Tomcats armed with AIM-54 Phoenix Missiles.

“I know I’m just one of many that will miss the Phoenix, but I’m also fortunate to be involved with the development of transformational missile technologies,” he added. “I am confident that our warfighters have the best warfighting capabilities in the world, even with the Phoenix retired.”
....

Zitat:Wie bereits im März von Marineminister Gordon England angekündigt, hat die US-Navy mit Anti-Ballistic Missile Patrouillen vor Nordkorea begonnen.

Als erstes Schiff wurde der Zerstörer CURTIS WILBUR der ARLEIGH BURKE-Klasse zwischen Japan und Nordkorea in der Japansee stationiert. Der Einsatz soll keinen aktuellen Bezug zu einem möglicherweise bevorstehenden nordkoreanischen Raketentest haben.

Neben der CURTIS WILBUR hat die US-Pazifikflotte zunächst noch zwei Zerstörer der ARLEIGH BURKE-Klasse designiert, die diese neue Aufgabe in ablösendem Einsatz wahrnehmen sollen. Die mit dem für weiträumige Luftraumverteidigungsaufgaben optimierten Gefechtsführungssystem Aegis ausgerüsteten Zerstörer sind sowohl in ein US-System als auch in den Systemverbund der japanischen Landesluftverteidigung integriert. Sie liefern allerdings zunächst nur Daten zur Frühwarnung; eine aktive Bekämpfung ballistischer Flugkörper ist ihnen mit ihren Flugabwehr-FK noch nicht möglich.

Diese Lücke sollen dann im kommenden Jahr FK-Kreuzer der TICONDEROGA-Klasse schließen. Sie werden dann bereits mit dem speziell für die Raketenabwehr entwickelten, neuen Flugabwehr-FK Standard Missile SM-3 bestückt sein, und damit neben einer reinen Erfassung und Zielverfolgung von Kurz- und Mittelstreckenraketen diese auch effektiv bekämpfen können. In der dritten Phase des Vorhabens kommen dann wieder Zerstörer der ARLEIGH BURKE-Klasse zum Zuge. Bis zum Frühjahr 2006 will die US-Navy zehn Schiffe dieses Typs mit SM-3 ausgerüstet haben. Sie sollen dann nicht nur vor Nordkorea operieren, sondern bei Bedarf weltweit kurzfristig auf Bedrohungen reagieren können.

Zitat:Sometime next year, San Diego may become a far-flung submarine base for . . . Sweden?

The U.S. Navy, searching for an ultra-quiet sub for anti-submarine warfare training, has asked the Swedish government to send one for an extended deployment that could last several years.

"The Swedish navy is considering the U.S. Navy's request for a submarine asset," said spokeswoman Lt. Pauline Pimentel. "Both navies are looking forward to a decision in the upcoming months."