Monthly Archives: February 2016

Air

Operational Assessment

The MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) built for the U.S. Navy by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC) has successfully completed Operational Assessment (OA). Pending final data analysis, the completion of this milestone signals the maturity of the system and paves the way for a positive Milestone C decision. Milestone C will transition Triton into Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP).

MQ-4C Triton UAS Completes Operational Assessment
MQ-4C Triton UAS Completes Operational Assessment

As part of OA, an integrated test team made up of U.S. Navy personnel from Air Test and Evaluation Squadrons VX-1 and VX-20, Unmanned Patrol Squadron, VUP-19 and Northrop Grumman demonstrated the reliability of Triton over the course of approximately 60 flight hours. The team analyzed sensor imagery and validated radar performance of Triton’s sensors at different altitudes and ranges. The aircraft system’s ability to classify targets and disseminate critical data was also examined as part of the operational effectiveness and suitability testing. Successful evaluation of Triton’s time on station confirmed that it will meet flight duration requirements.

«Operational assessment for Triton included several flights which exercised the weapon system through operationally relevant scenarios that demonstrated its readiness to meet the U.S. Navy’s maritime Intelligence, Reconnaissance and Surveillance (IRS) needs», said Doug Shaffer, vice president, Triton programs, Northrop Grumman. «As a result of the flight tests, the program moves one step closer to a milestone C decision later this spring».

 

MQ-4C Triton

Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System provides real-time Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance over vast ocean and coastal regions. Supporting missions up to 24 hours, the high-altitude UAS is equipped with a sensor suite that provides a 360-degree view of its surroundings at a radius of over 2,000 NM/2,302 miles/3,704 km.

Triton builds on elements of the Global Hawk UAS while incorporating reinforcements to the airframe and wing, along with de-icing and lightning protection systems. These capabilities allow the aircraft to descend through cloud layers to gain a closer view of ships and other targets at sea when needed. The current sensor suite allows ships to be tracked over time by gathering information on their speed, location and classification.

Built to support the U.S. Navy’s Broad Area Maritime Surveillance program, Triton will support a wide range of intelligence gathering and reconnaissance missions, maritime patrol and search and rescue. The Navy’s program of record calls for 68 aircraft to be built.

The program portfolio includes the MQ-4C Triton UAS and the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance – Demonstrator (BAMS-D), advanced sensors and technology, and international programs
The program portfolio includes the MQ-4C Triton UAS and the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance – Demonstrator (BAMS-D), advanced sensors and technology, and international programs

 

Key Features

  • Provides persistent maritime ISR at a mission radius of 2,000 NM/2,302 miles/3,704 km; 24 hours/7 days per week with 80% Effective Time On Station (ETOS)
  • Land-based air vehicle and sensor command and control
  • Afloat Level II payload sensor data via line-of-sight
  • Dual redundant flight controls and surfaces
  • 51,000-hour airframe life
  • Due Regard Radar for safe separation
  • Anti/de-ice, bird strike, and lightning protection
  • Communications bandwidth management
  • Commercial off-the-shelf open architecture mission control system
  • Net-ready interoperability solution

 

Payload (360-degree Field of Regard)

Multi-Function Active Sensor Active Electronically Steered Array (MFAS AESA) radar:

  • 2D AESA;
  • Maritime and air-to-ground modes;
  • Long-range detection and classification of targets.

MTS-B multi-spectral targeting system:

  • Electro-optical/infrared;
  • Auto-target tracking;
  • High resolution at multiple field-of-views;
  • Full motion video.

AN/ZLQ-1 Electronic Support Measures:

  • All digital;
  • Specific Emitter Identification.

Automatic Identification System:

  • Provides information received from VHF broadcasts on maritime vessel movements.

 

Specifications

Wingspan 130.9 feet/39.9 m
Length 47.6 feet/14.5 m
Height 15.4 feet/4.6 m
Gross Take-Off Weight (GTOW) 32,250 lbs/14,628 kg
Maximum Internal Payload 3,200 lbs/1,452 kg
Maximum External Payload 2,400 lbs/1,089 kg
Self-Deploy 8,200 NM/9,436 miles/15,186 km
Maximum Altitude 56,500 feet/17,220 m
Maximum Velocity, TAS (True Air Speed) 331 knots/381 mph/613 km/h
Maximum Endurance 24 hours

 

Air

FLA Takes Flight

They may not have zoomed flawlessly around obstacles like the Millennium Falcon did as it careened through the hull of a crashed Star Destroyer in Star Wars VII. But the sensor-loaded quadcopters that recently got tested in a cluttered hangar in Massachusetts did manage to edge their way around obstacles and achieve their target speeds of 20 meters per second. Moreover, the quadcopters were unmanned … and real. Thus was the initial phase of data collection for DARPA’s Fast Lightweight Autonomy (FLA) program recently deemed an encouraging success.

A FLA quadcopter self-navigates around boxes during initial flight data collection using only onboard sensors/software
A FLA quadcopter self-navigates around boxes during initial flight data collection using only onboard sensors/software

DARPA’s FLA program aims to develop and test algorithms that could reduce the amount of processing power, communications, and human intervention needed for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to accomplish low-level tasks, such as navigation around obstacles in a cluttered environment. If successful, FLA would reduce operator workload and stress and allow humans to focus on higher-level supervision of multiple formations of manned and unmanned platforms as part of a single system.

FLA technologies could be especially useful to address a pressing surveillance shortfall: Military teams patrolling dangerous overseas urban environments and rescue teams responding to disasters such as earthquakes or floods currently can use remotely piloted UAVs to provide a bird’s-eye view of the situation, but to know what’s going on inside an unstable building or a threatening indoor space often requires physical entry, which can put troops or civilian response teams in danger. The FLA program is developing a new class of algorithms aimed at enabling small UAVs to quickly navigate a labyrinth of rooms, stairways and corridors or other obstacle-filled environments without a remote pilot. The program seeks to develop and demonstrate autonomous UAVs small enough to fit through an open window and able to fly at speeds up to 20 meters per second (45 miles per hour) – while avoiding objects within complex indoor spaces independent of communication with outside operators or sensors and without reliance on GPS.

DARPA researchers recently completed the first flight data collection from the common quadcopter UAV platform that three research teams are using for the program. The flight test data validated that the platform – which uses a commercial DJI Flamewheel 450 airframe, E600 motors with 12″ propellers, and 3DR Pixhawk autopilot – is capable of achieving the required flight speed of 20 meters per second while carrying high-definition onboard cameras and other sensors, such as LIDAR, sonar and inertial measurement units. During the testing, researchers also demonstrated initial autonomous capabilities, such as «seeing» obstacles and flying around them at slow speed unaided by a human controller.

Through this exploration, the program aims to develop and demonstrate the capability for small (i.e., able to fit through windows) autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles to fly at speeds up to 20 m/s with no communication to the operator and without GPS
Through this exploration, the program aims to develop and demonstrate the capability for small (i.e., able to fit through windows) autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles to fly at speeds up to 20 m/s with no communication to the operator and without GPS

«We’re excited that we were able to validate the airspeed goal during this first-flight data collection», said Mark Micire, DARPA program manager. «The fact that some teams also demonstrated basic autonomous flight ahead of schedule was an added bonus. The challenge for the teams now is to advance the algorithms and onboard computational efficiency to extend the UAVs’ perception range and compensate for the vehicles’ mass to make extremely tight turns and abrupt maneuvers at high speeds».

The three performer teams are Draper, teamed with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; University of Pennsylvania; and Scientific Systems Company, Inc. (SSCI), teamed with AeroVironment.

The test flight and data collection took place at Otis Air National Guard Base, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in a former aircraft hangar that was transformed into a warehouse setting with simulated walls, boxes and other obstacles to test flight agility and speed. The test run also resulted in several crashes. «But the only way to achieve hard goals is to push physical systems and software to the limit», Micire said. «I expect there will be more flight failures and smashed quadcopters along the way».

The FLA program aims to develop and test algorithms that could reduce the amount of processing power, communications, and human intervention needed for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to accomplish low-level tasks, such as navigation around obstacles in a cluttered environment
The FLA program aims to develop and test algorithms that could reduce the amount of processing power, communications, and human intervention needed for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to accomplish low-level tasks, such as navigation around obstacles in a cluttered environment

With each successive program milestone flight test, the warehouse venue will be made more complicated by adding obstacles and clutter to create a more challenging and realistic environment for the UAVs to navigate autonomously.

«Very lightweight UAVs exist today that are agile and can fly faster than 20 meters per second, but they can’t carry the sensors and computation to fly autonomously in cluttered environments», Micire said. «And large UAVs exist that can fly high and fast with heavy computing payloads and sensors on board. What makes the FLA program so challenging is finding the sweet spot of a small size, weight and power air vehicle with limited onboard computing power to perform a complex mission completely autonomously».

The FLA program’s initial focus is on UAVs, but advances made through the program could potentially be applied to ground, marine and underwater systems, which could be especially useful in GPS-degraded or denied environments.

 

DARPA’s Fast Lightweight Autonomy (FLA) program recently demonstrated that a commercial quadcopter platform could achieve 20-meters-per-second flight while carrying a full load of sensors and cameras

 

Air

Gliding weapon

Raytheon Company and the U.S. Navy have conducted a successful operational test of the new Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW) C-1 gliding, precision-guided weapon. Conducted in a challenging flight environment, the test further demonstrated the capabilities of JSOW C-1 against a broad set of land targets.

In this file photo, an F-16 fighter launches a JSOW glide bomb (Raytheon photo)
In this file photo, an F-16 fighter launches a JSOW glide bomb (Raytheon photo)

Launched from an F/A-18F Super Hornet at approximately 29,000 feet/8,839 meters, the JSOW C-1 flew a flawless, preplanned route before destroying its intended land target with precision accuracy. The challenging battlefield scenario included a well-defended target that used tactical countermeasures.

«This test demonstrated yet again JSOW’s ability to deliver decisive battlefield effects with precision stand-off capability against some of the most challenging land targets facing our warfighters», said Celeste Mohr, JSOW program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. «Naval aviators also recently employed JSOW C in a tactically realistic, cave-defeat scenario that included heavy radio frequency countermeasures. The result was two direct hits».

The new JSOW C-1 combines the proven, precision, stand-off land attack capabilities from JSOW C, with the new, state-of-the-art Link 16 data link to also engage moving maritime targets. The JSOW C-1 variant adds a two-way Link 16 data link to engage and destroy moving targets, as well as stationary land targets.

This initial operational test shot was preceded by seven-for-seven, equally successful employments against both stationary land targets and maritime moving targets during the developmental and integration test phases. It paves the way for the next phase of operational testing against large and small maritime moving targets.

JSOW C and C-1 are designed to provide fleet forces with robust and flexible capability against high-value targets, at launch ranges exceeding 62 miles/100 kilometers.

 

About JSOW

JSOW is a family of low-cost, air-to-ground weapons that employ an integrated GPS-inertial navigation system with highly capable guidance algorithms. JSOW C prosecutes fixed land targets and uses an imaging infrared seeker for increased accuracy in the terminal phase.

JSOW C-1 adds the two-way Link 16 data link enhancement, enabling additional target sets with moving maritime target capability.

 

Navy

HII Launches Portland

On February 13, Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division has launched the company’s 11th amphibious transport dock, USS Portland (LPD-27). The ship, named for Oregon’s largest city, is scheduled to be christened on May 21.

USS Portland (LPD-27) is seen here in the middle of launch early Saturday morning at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula. Portland is the 11th San Antonio-class landing platform dock (Photo by Andrew Young/HII)
USS Portland (LPD-27) is seen here in the middle of launch early Saturday morning at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula. Portland is the 11th San Antonio-class landing platform dock (Photo by Andrew Young/HII)

«It takes a tremendous effort by all of our crafts personnel to accomplish this big milestone», said Bruce Knowles, Ingalls’ LPD-27 program manager. «The LPD program continues to improve with each ship, and LPD-27 falls into that same line of success proven by a hot production line. Our shipbuilders continue to build these ships more efficiently and affordably».

USS Portland (LPD-27) was translated via Ingalls’ rail car system to the floating dry dock prior to launch. The dock was moved away from the pier and then flooded to float the ship. With the assistance of tugs, Portland came off the dock on Saturday morning.

Ingalls has built and delivered nine ships in the San Antonio class of ships, with USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26) and USS Portland (LPD-27) remaining. Ingalls received a $200 million advance procurement contract for LPD-28, the 12th ship in the class, in December, 2015.

The San Antonio class is the latest addition to the U.S. Navy’s 21st century amphibious assault force. The 684-foot-long/208-meter-long, 105-foot-wide/32-meter-wide ships are used to embark and land Marines, their equipment and supplies ashore via air cushion or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles, augmented by helicopters or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft such as the MV-22 Osprey. The ships support a Marine Air Ground Task Force across the spectrum of operations, conducting amphibious and expeditionary missions of sea control and power projection to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions throughout the first half of the 21st century.

John P. Murtha (LPD-26) is the tenth ship in the San Antonio Class
John P. Murtha (LPD-26) is the tenth ship in the San Antonio Class

 

General Characteristics

Builder Huntington Ingalls Industries
Propulsion Four sequentially turbocharged marine Colt-Pielstick Diesels, two shafts, 41,600 shaft horsepower
Length 684 feet/208 m
Beam 105 feet/32 m
Displacement Approximately 24,900 long tons (25,300 metric tons) full load
Draft 23 feet/7 m
Speed In excess of 22 knots/24.2 mph/38.7 km/h
Crew Ship’s Company: 374 Sailors (28 officers, 346 enlisted) and 3 Marines. Embarked Landing Force: 699 (66 officers, 633 enlisted); surge capacity to 800
Armament Two Bushmaster II 30-mm Close in Guns, fore and aft; two Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) launchers, fore and aft: ten .50 calibre/12.7-mm machine guns
Aircraft Launch or land two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters or two MV-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft or up to four CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters, AH-1 or UH-1 helicopters
Landing/Attack Craft Two LCACs or one LCU; and 14 Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles/Amphibious Assault Vehicles

 

Ships:

USS San Antonio (LPD-17), Norfolk, VA

USS New Orleans (LPD-18), San Diego, CA

USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), Norfolk, VA

USS Green Bay (LPD-20), San Diego, CA

USS New York (LPD-21), Norfolk, VA

USS San Diego (LPD-22), San Diego, CA

USS Anchorage (LPD-23), San Diego, CA

USS Arlington (LPD-24), Norfolk, VA

USS Somerset (LPD-25), San Diego, CA

USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26), San Diego, CA

USS Portland (LPD-27), launched

LPD-28, procurement contract

 

Here’s a time lapse video of the amphibious warship USS Portland (LPD-27) being translated and launched at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula. This ship first hit water on Saturday, February 13. Portland is the 11th San Antonio-class Landing Platform Dock to be built

 

Navy

Survivability Test

USS Coronado (LCS-4) successfully completed the U.S. Navy’s Total Ship Survivability Trial (TSST) off the coast of California, January 28. During the test event, the crew handled realistic damage simulations, including fire, smoke, electrical failure, flooding, ruptured piping, and structural failure. The scenarios benefited the crew by offering realistic damage control training in preparation for Coronado’s maiden deployment later this year.

Austal’s Trimaran LCS Completes Survivability Test
Austal’s Trimaran LCS Completes Survivability Test

«Initial indications are that Coronado’s performance met, and in multiple cases exceeded, the survivability requirements for this small surface combatant», said Captain Tom Anderson, Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program manager. «I commend the crew for their exceptional performance and dedication while conducting this important test».

The purpose of the TSST is to evaluate the ship’s systems and procedures following a simulated conventional weapon hit. The primary areas that are evaluated include the ship’s ability to contain and control damage, restore and continue mission capability, and care for personnel casualties. The test is also designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the survivability features inherent in a ship’s design.

«The experience provided the crew, through realistic scenarios, an appreciation for what it would take to operate following battle damage on board an Independence-variant warship», said Commander Troy A. Fendrick, commanding officer of Coronado. «It also provided Sailors, from the deckplate level, the opportunity to provide critical input to the LCS program office, which will result in the improvement of overall ship survivability».

The TSST, along with the Full Ship Shock Trial scheduled June 2016, is a component of the Live-Fire Test and Evaluation program. Coronado is the second LCS of the Independence-variant built by Austal USA and is homeported in San Diego.

LCS is a modular, reconfigurable ship, with three types of mission packages including surface warfare, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine warfare. The Program Executive Office Littoral Combat Ships (PEO LCS) is responsible for delivering and sustaining littoral mission capabilities to the fleet. Delivering high-quality warfighting assets while balancing affordability and capability is key to supporting the nation’s maritime strategy.

Six additional Independence-variant LCS are at various stages of construction at Austal’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama
Six additional Independence-variant LCS are at various stages of construction at Austal’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama

 

The Independence Variant of the LCS Class

PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS
Construction Hull and superstructure – aluminium alloy
Length overall 417 feet/127.1 m
Beam overall 103 feet/31.4 m
Hull draft (maximum) 14.8 feet/4.5 m
PAYLOAD AND CAPACITIES
Complement Core Crew – 40
Mission crew – 36
Berthing 76 in a mix of single, double & quad berthing compartments
Maximum mission load 210 tonnes
Mission Bay Volume 118,403 feet3/11,000 m3
Mission packages Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
Surface Warfare (SUW)
Mine Warfare (MIW)
PROPULSION
Main engines 2 × GE LM2500
2 × MTU 20V 8000
Waterjets 4 × Wartsila steerable
Bow thruster Retractable azimuthing
PERFORMANCE
Speed 40 knots/46 mph/74 km/h
Range 3,500 NM/4,028 miles/6,482 km
Operational limitation Survival in Sea State 8
MISSION/LOGISTICS DECK
Deck area >21,527.8 feet2/2,000 m2
Launch and recovery Twin boom extending crane
Loading Side ramp
Internal elevator to hanger
Launch/Recover Watercraft Sea State 4
FLIGHT DECK AND HANGER
Flight deck dimensions 2 × SH-60 or 1 × CH-53 or multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Vertical Take-off and Land Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs/VTUAVs)
Hanger Aircraft stowage & maintenance for 2 × SH-60
Launch/Recover Aircraft Sea State 5
WEAPONS AND SENSORS
Standard 1 × 57-mm gun
4 × 12.7-mm/.50 caliber guns
1 × Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launcher
3 × weapons modules
The Independence variant team is led by Austal USA (for LCS-6 and the subsequent even-numbered hulls) and was originally led by General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works (LCS-2 and LCS-4)
The Independence variant team is led by Austal USA (for LCS-6 and the subsequent even-numbered hulls) and was originally led by General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works (LCS-2 and LCS-4)

 

Independence-class

Ship Laid down Launched Commissioned Homeport
USS Independence (LCS-2) 01-19-2006 04-26-2008 01-16-2010 San Diego, California
USS Coronado (LCS-4) 12-17-2009 01-14-2012 04-05-2014 San Diego, California
USS Jackson (LCS-6) 08-01-2011 12-14-2013 12-05-2015 San Diego, California
USS Montgomery (LCS-8) 06-25-2013 08-06-2014
USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10) 04-16-2014 02-25-2015
USS Omaha (LCS-12) 02-18-2015 11-20-2015
USS Manchester (LCS-14) 06-29-2015
USS Tulsa (LCS-16) 01-11-2016
USS Charleston (LCS-18)
USS Cincinnati (LCS-20)
USS Kansas City (LCS-22)
USS Oakland (LCS-24)
Launch of USS Omaha (LCS 12) at Austal USA facility - Mobile, Alabama
Launch of USS Omaha (LCS 12) at Austal USA facility – Mobile, Alabama
Air Force

Payload for the NRO

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV rocket carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) lifted off from Space Launch Complex-6 on February 10 at 3:40 a.m. PST. Designated NROL-45, the mission is in support of national defense. This is ULA’s second launch in 2016 and the 105th successful launch since the company was formed in December 2006.

The mission will be launched for the National Reconnaissance Office in support of national defense
The mission will be launched for the National Reconnaissance Office in support of national defense

«Congratulations to the ULA team and our U.S. Air Force and NRO partners on the launch of NROL-45», said Laura Maginnis, ULA vice president of Custom Services. «This is our second successful launch within five days for our U.S. government customer, a testament to our outstanding teamwork and focus on 100 percent mission success, one launch at a time. ULA is proud to be entrusted with safely and reliably delivering our nation’s most critical space assets to orbit».

This mission was launched aboard a Delta IV Medium+ (5,2) configuration Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) using a single ULA common booster core powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RS-68A main engine along with two Orbital ATK GEM-60 solid rocket motors. The upper stage was powered by an Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10B-2 engine with the satellite encapsulated in a 5-meter-diameter composite payload fairing.

ULA’s next launch is the Atlas V OA-6 Cygnus International Space Station resupply mission, flown for Orbital ATK under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract. The launch is targeted for March 22 from Space Launch Complex-41 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.

The EELV program was established by the U.S. Air Force to provide assured access to space for Department of Defense (DoD) and other government payloads. The commercially developed EELV program supports the full range of government mission requirements, while delivering on schedule and providing significant cost savings over the heritage launch systems.

With more than a century of combined heritage, United Launch Alliance is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 100 satellites to orbit that provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, enable personal device-based GPS navigation and unlock the mysteries of our solar system.

 

 

A Delta IV rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex-6 carrying the NROL-45 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office

 

Navy

Successor Submarine

The United Kingdom (UK) Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded BAE Systems £201 million to further the design of a successor to the Royal Navy’s Vanguard class submarines. The funding will allow the business to mature the design of the new class of submarines, which will carry the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent, including the layout of equipment and systems, and to develop manufacturing processes.

BAE Systems awarded £201 million to further Successor Submarine design
BAE Systems awarded £201 million to further Successor Submarine design

Tony Johns, the Managing Director of BAE Systems Submarines, said: «We are incredibly proud of the role we play in designing and building our nation’s submarines. The Successor programme is one of the most challenging engineering projects in the world today and this additional funding will enable us to further mature the design».

BAE Systems is the industrial lead on the programme with more than 1,600 employees working on it, alongside colleagues from the MoD, Rolls Royce and Babcock, many of whom are based at the Company’s site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

Today’s (10 February, 2016) announcement follows three previous funding packages awarded to BAE Systems – two awards of £328 million and £315 million to commence initial design in 2012, followed by £257 million in 2015 for the detailed design.

Approximately 7,700 people are employed by BAE Systems Submarines with the majority at its site in Barrow, where submarines have been built for the Royal Navy for more than a century. The Company is also building the Astute class – seven state-of-the-art nuclear-powered attack submarines.

Subject to the Government’s approval to progress to the construction phase, it is estimated BAE Systems will employ between 5,000 and 6,000 people on the Successor programme at its peak, with a total of 9,000 employed across BAE Systems’ submarines business. The Company spends approximately £300 million annually across its submarine supply chain and this number is expected to increase throughout the life of the Successor programme.

In readiness for the start of construction of Successor, more than £300 million is being invested into BAE Systems’ Barrow site to transform its submarine building capabilities. This will include brand new, state-of-the-art facilities as well as the refurbishment of existing buildings.

Navy

Works start on the LSS

The steel cutting ceremony of the LSS logistic support unit’s stern section was held on February 09, 2016 at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Riva Trigoso (Sestri Levante, Genoa, Italy). Construction works, therefore, officially started on the first unit, as provided in the renewal plan of the Italian Navy’s fleet, which has been commissioned to Fincantieri.

The Italian Navy's new vessel acquisition programme includes a LSS with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief/search-and-rescue capacity, in addition to fleet supply
The Italian Navy’s new vessel acquisition programme includes a LSS with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief/search-and-rescue capacity, in addition to fleet supply

The section is about 282 feet/86 meters long, 79 feet/24 meters wide, 53.5 feet/16.3 meters high, weighing about 7,000 tons. In the coming months it will be launched and transported by sea to the shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia), where it will be assembled to set up the entire unit with the bow section, whose steel cutting ceremony will take place on February 16 in the shipyard of Castellammare di Stabia. The delivery of the Logistic Support Ship (LSS) is scheduled in 2019.

The beginning of the construction also involves Registro Italiano Navale (RINA) Services. The experience gained in a number of past projects and the close cooperation between RINA and the Italian Navy at international level for the development of the Naval Ship Code (a standard equivalent to the SOLAS – Safety of Life at Sea, but applicable to naval vessels, which has been developed by the International Naval Safety Association which includes also RINA, the Italian Navy and the main NATO’s Navies) have allowed to refine the cooperation forms, overcoming the traditional concept of class and taking greater account of the specific technical and operational needs of the Navy.

The LSS will be classified by RINA pursuant international conventions about prevention of pollution regarding the more traditional aspects, like the ones of the Marine Pollution Control (MARPOL) Convention, as well as those not yet mandatory, as the Hong Kong Convention about ship recycling.

 

Vessel’s characteristics – LSS

The LSS is a vessel that provides logistics support to the fleet, endowed with hospital and healthcare capabilities thanks to the presence of a fully equipped hospital, complete with operating rooms, radiology and analysis rooms, a dentist’s office and hospital rooms capable of hosting up to 12 seriously injured patients. The ship is capable of combining capacity to transport and transfer to other transport vessels used for liquids (diesel fuel, jet fuel, fresh water) and solids (emergency spare parts, food and ammunitions) and to perform at sea repairs and maintenance work for other vessels. The defense systems are limited to the capacity of command and control in tactical scenarios, communications and dissuasive, non-lethal defense systems. The vessel is also capable of embarking more complex defence systems and becoming an intelligence and electronic war platform.

 

FACTS

  • Length Over All – 541 feet/165 m
  • Length Between Perpendicular – 482 feet/147 m
  • Breadth – 88.6 feet/27 m
  • Full Load Displacement – 18,000 t
  • Speed – 20 knots/23 mph/37 km/h
  • 200 persons including crew and specialists
  • 4 replenishment station abeam and 1 astern
  • Capacity to supply drinking water to land
  • Capacity to provide electricity to land with 2500 kW of power
  • Possibility of embarking up to 8 residential and healthcare modules
  • Capacity to perform rescues at sea, through recovery and seabed operations (the ship is equipped with a 30 tons offshore stabilized crane stabilized)
  • base for rescue operations through helicopters and special vessels

 

Navy

Multi-Mission USV

Drawing on world class know-how derived from generations of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) design, development and operation and its naval capabilities, Elbit Systems’ newest offering in the unmanned platform field is Seagull – an organic, modular, highly autonomous, multi-mission Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) system.

Deployable with capability to operate from port or mother-ship
Deployable with capability to operate from port or mother-ship

Seagull is a 39-foot/12-meter USV with replaceable mission modules, with two vessels capable of being operated and controlled in concert using a single Mission Control System (MCS), from manned ships or from the shore.

The system provides unmanned end-to-end mine hunting operation taking the man out of the mine field. It provides mission planning, and on-line operation in known and unknown areas, including area survey, search, detection, classification, identification, neutralization and verification. It is equipped to search the entire water volume and operate underwater vehicles to identify and neutralize mines.

Seagull changes the dynamics of anti-submarine operations by creating a threat to submarines using a cost-effective and available asset, replacing and augmenting manned assets with minimal threat from submarines. It empowers a surface vessel or naval base commander with off-board, available and rapidly deployable Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities to protect critical sea areas and high-value assets from submarine as well as sea mine threats.

Incorporating Elbit Systems’ extensive experience in UAS, Seagull features a robust, highly-autonomous and safe sailing capability as well as modular mission payload suites, selected to match a variety of required missions including Electronic Warfare (EW), surface force protection, hydrographical missions in addition to the core Mine CounterMeasures (MCM) and ASW missions. The sailing suite includes a patented Autonomous Navigation System (ANS), with obstacle avoidance, which considers the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea.

Network ready and long enduring, Seagull features inherent Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) capabilities for enhanced situation awareness and can remain at sea for over 96 hours. The Seagull multi-mission USV system offers navies a true force-multiplier in reducing risk, cost and manpower requirements in performing missions which have only been performed to date by costly manned assets.

Two vessels controlled from same Mission Control System (MCS)
Two vessels controlled from same Mission Control System (MCS)
Air Force

GPS IIF Constellation

Boeing and the U.S. Air Force on February 5, 2016 completed the GPS IIF constellation with the launch of the 12th Boeing-built satellite. Following on-orbit tests, GPS IIF-12 will be formally declared operational in approximately one month, making it the 50th GPS satellite Boeing will have delivered on orbit to the U.S. Air Force.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the GPS IIF-12 mission lifted off from Space Launch Complex 41 on February 5, 2016 at 8:38 a.m. EST
A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the GPS IIF-12 mission lifted off from Space Launch Complex 41 on February 5, 2016 at 8:38 a.m. EST

Since the first launch on May 27, 2010, the GPS IIFs have advanced the U.S. Air Force’s Global Positioning System (GPS) modernization program by improving accuracy and security while introducing new civilian and military capabilities to a system used by millions of people around the world.

«This GPS IIF milestone builds on our 40-plus years of GPS experience and a strong Government-Boeing partnership», said Dan Hart, vice president, Boeing Government Satellite Systems. «We continue investing in GPS innovation while driving down costs, keeping GPS prepared to meet current and future demands».

Boeing has been the prime contractor for GPS since the program’s inception, providing multiple generations of satellites that have collectively accrued more than 540 years of on-orbit operation.

GPS IIF-12 lifted off from Cape Canaveral U.S. Air Force Station aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V launch vehicle at 8:38 a.m. EST. About three hours and 23 minutes later the spacecraft was released into its medium Earth orbit of about 12,000 miles/19,312 km. Signal acquisition was confirmed at 12:09 p.m. EST.

Boeing and its heritage companies have been advancing satellite technology for more than 50 years. Continuing investments in space are helping the company retain its industry leadership as it begins its second century in 2016.