General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) started construction on the future USNS Sojourner Truth (T-AO 210), the sixth ship for the U.S. Navy’s John Lewis-class fleet oiler program, on March 27, 2023.
General Dynamics NASSCO Begins Construction on Sixth Ship in the T-AO Fleet Oiler Program for the U.S. Navy
Sojourner Truth was an American abolitionist of New York Dutch heritage and a women’s rights activist. Truth was born into slavery in Swartekill, New York, but escaped with her infant daughter to freedom in 1826. After going to court to recover her son in 1828, she became the first black woman to win such a case against a white man.
Gwen Phillips, a Production Support Specialist II with 34 years as part of the NASSCO team, served as the honoree for the ceremony and initiated the first cut of steel that will be used to construct the vessel.
Thank you to our honoree, the U.S. Navy and our dedicated shipbuilders for helping create this historic day!
Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and Sweden’s Saab have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the sidelines of the Singapore Defence Technology Summit on 22 March 2023.
DSTA partners Saab to co-develop next-generation combat vessels
The partnership will see the two organisations jointly implement initiatives in the three domains of long-term supportability, people development and smart technologies. Under the MOU, DSTA and Saab will co-develop and design the Republic of Singapore Navy’s new Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV), harnessing technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to realise the MRCV’s concept as a highly digital ship.
Through this collaborative agreement, DSTA also aims to nurture local talent in surface ships design, naval and digital technology. Through work attachment and internships with Saab, DSTA engineers and scholars will get opportunities to deepen their technical competencies and better facilitate the build-up of in-country capabilities in the industry to undertake repair of composite structures for ships and radar overhaul in the future.
DSTA’s Chief Executive, Mr. Mervyn Tan, said, «This marks the beginning of an exciting partnership with Saab. Besides setting the stage to jointly deliver an advanced, digitalised and data-driven Multi-Role Combat Vessel, the partnership will help accelerate the growth of knowledge not only in ship design but also in technologies of strategic significance such as AI and data analytics. To this end, it will lead to a more robust in-country talent pipeline of defence engineers and technologists with real-world experience».
Mr. Mats Wicksell, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s Business Area Kockums, said, «This agreement is the result of many years of cooperation between Saab and DSTA and a recognition of our competitive edge in technology areas that are crucial for the future. We look forward to a deeper collaboration that will surely benefit both parties».
The flag of the Republic of Malta waves on the Offshore Patrol Vessel P71 to celebrate the entry into service of the new flagship of the Armed Forces of Malta built by Cantiere Navale Vittoria. On March 22nd, in the AFM naval base in Floriana, Valletta, in the presence of the Minister of the Interior, Security, Reforms and Equality of the Republic of Malta, Byron Camilleri, the Minister of Economy, the European Funds and the Territory of the Republic of Malta, Silvio Schembri, the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds, Chris Bonett, the Head of the Maltese Armed Forces, Brigadier Clinton O’Neill, the Italian Ambassador in Valletta, Fabrizio Romano, and by the Board Member of Cantiere Navale Vittoria, Luigi Duò, the official delivery ceremony of the patrol vessel.
The Delivery Ceremony of the P71 Patrol Vessel has taken place in Malta
The 75-metre-long/256-foot-long unit, built in the Adria headquarter, will be used in coastal surveillance operations, extended patrolling on the high seas and Search and Rescue operations.
Luigi Duò, Board Member of Cantiere Navale Vittoria, during the ceremony thanked the institutions present and the representatives of the AFM for their collaboration and trust, underlining that: «The vessel now supplied to the Maltese Armed Forces, due to its design qualities, technical and equipment, will be able to represent an international point of reference for units of the same type. Honored by the relationship of esteem and collaboration built up over the years and which began decades ago with the delivery of the two Melita Search and Rescue (SAR) units, we look to the future with hope, certain that the P71 unit, our 890th unit, will be up to all the specific tasks for which it was conceived and created. We just have to wish the men and women of the Armed Forces good seas».
The OPV P71 is the result of the order, with a total value of over 50 million euros, obtained through participation in a pre-selection first and in an international public tender then headed by the Ministry of Defense of the Island and co-funded (for 75%) by the EU under the Internal Security Fund (ISF) 2014-2020, the fund set up by the Union for the implementation of the internal security strategy, law enforcement cooperation and the management of the external borders of European countries.
On March 24th, the Brazilian Navy and Águas Azuis, a Special Purpose Entity (SPE) formed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, Embraer Defense & Security and Atech, celebrated another milestone in the construction of the Tamandaré frigate: the ship’s keel laying. The ceremony, which took place at ThyssenKrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul in Itajaí, Santa Catarina, was attended by the Commander of the Navy Fleet Admiral Marcos Sampaio Olsen, and other civil and military authorities from the defense sector and the naval industry.
Tamandaré frigate keel laying marks innovation in military shipbuilding in Brazil
Traditionally celebrated in shipbuilding, the keel laying takes place when the keel, the «backbone» of the vessel, is completed, allowing the construction of the other parts. Nowadays, with the engineering evolution and the modern production processes adopted in the Tamandaré Class Frigates Program (PFCT), it is possible for the ships to be built in blocks. In the case of the Tamandaré frigate, the first of the four ships in the PFCT, the keel laying was characterized by the positioning at its building site of an important structural block, which corresponds to the forward engine room. In this metal structure, which weighs approximately 52 tons, two engines, a gearbox and several pumps and auxiliary equipment will be installed.
Fleet Admiral Arthur Fernando Bettega Corrêa, General Director of Navy Materiel, highlighted the importance of this ritual: «Today, we witnessed the meeting of tradition with compelling technological modernity, resulting in the optimization of production and increased security for both employees and information».
Oliver Burkhard, CEO of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, added: «We will provide the Brazilian Navy with high-end frigates that combine the edge of naval technology, innovation and robust combat capabilities and that will contribute greatly to Brazil’s national security in protecting the Amazônia Azul and beyond».
F Tamandaré (F200)
Benefits
The construction model, which provides for production in blocks to be joined later, offers several advantages over the old method. In this way, it is possible to install accessories and foundations in advance, in addition to facilitating the placement of equipment on board and enabling work to proceed in different stages in a segregated manner for each unit. The process also increases employee safety by keeping spaces open longer during construction.
The innovations involved in the PFCT extend throughout the entire production chain. Historically, projects of this size are developed from a large number of printed documents, such as drawings, procedures and manuals, which require many copies and recurring updates. In this sense, the shipyard has implemented a methodology for engineering projects called «Paperless», which consists of eliminating the use of paper drawings in the frigate’s production line, transforming them into digital files. This approach brings advantages for the information security of the documents, due to the confidentiality required in a military project, and also benefits the environment.
Next stages
The state of PFCT construction is advancing within schedule, and currently represents 34% of its total evolution. For the next stages, it is planned to build the block that forms the aft engine room, with the positioning of the equipment and engines in place. Next, the built blocks will complete the central structures of the ship. It should be noted that, of the more than fifty structural units that make up the construction sequence of the first Tamandaré Class frigate, about a quarter are in the process of structural assembly at ThyssenKrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul, and others are already cut and shaped, with panels and subassemblies completed.
As for the qualification of the personnel who will be responsible for maintaining the ship’s systems, around 50% of the activities regarding systems engineering and integrated logistic support have already been concluded. The launch of the Tamandaré frigate is estimated for mid-2024 and its delivery to the Brazilian Navy at the end of 2025. The cutting of the hull plate of the second Tamandaré Class frigate is expected to take place later this year.
Increase in the protection of Brazilian Jurisdictional Waters (BJW)
Conducted since 2017 by the Brazilian Navy, executed by Águas Azuis and managed by Empresa Gerencial de Projetos Navais (EMGEPRON), the Tamandaré Class Frigates Program is the most modern and innovative naval project developed in the country, comprising the building, within national territory, of four defense ships of high technological complexity. The vessels must reach operational capacity to respond and protect the «Blue Amazon», generating technology transfer and perpetual license, and promoting local industry and civil construction in the country. The Brazilian Navy predicts that the program, as a whole, could create around 2,000 direct jobs and 6,000 indirect jobs.
Timeline
On June 21st, 2022, a prototype of the engine room compartment section was completed; this is used for the qualification of various processes related to the manufacture of the vessels. As a highlight of the stages already carried out, the hull plate of the first Tamandaré Class frigate was cut on September 5th, 2022, this being considered the main milestone for the beginning of the construction phase.
The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon Technologies a $320 million contract to produce and deliver 1500 GBU-53/B StormBreaker smart weapons, which are air-to-surface, network enabled weapons that can engage moving targets in all weather conditions using its multi-effects warhead and tri-mode seeker.
Raytheon Technologies awarded $320 million for GBU-53/B StormBreaker smart weapon
«Having StormBreaker in the warfighter’s arsenal provides unprecedented capability against moving targets, regardless of conditions», said Paul Ferraro, president of Air Power at Raytheon Missiles & Defense. «It also expands our production line and reinforces our commitment of ensuring the warfighter has the next-level munitions they need to safely and successfully accomplish the mission».
GBU-53/B StormBreaker is fielded on the F-15E Strike Eagle with testing underway on the F-35B Lightning II and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet; between the three platforms, GBU-53/B StormBreaker has had hundreds of successful operational test shots to date.
March 13, 2023, the U.S. Army completed initial deliveries of its newest combat vehicle at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, received the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), signifying the completion of the Army’s First Unit Equipped for the platform (Dan Heaton, Public Affairs, Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross Functional Team)
The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, received the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle (AMPV), signifying the completion of the Army’s First Unit Equipped for the platform.
«The AMPV is a major piece of Army modernization», said Major General Glenn Dean, Program Executive Officer (PEO) for the Army’s ground combat platforms. «The platform offers Soldiers better protection and survivability, and completing First Unit Equipped is a major milestone that could not have been accomplished without the entire Army and industry team».
AMPV is the replacement for the M113 Family of Vehicles within the Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT), comprising approximately 30 percent of its tracked vehicle fleet. The Army’s worldwide fleet of AMPVs will include nearly 3,000 vehicles delivered within the next 20 years.
«Working with the PEO Ground Combat Systems (GCS) and others, we’ve been able to accelerate getting AMPV into the hands of our Soldiers», said Brigadier General Geoffrey Norman, director of the Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross Functional Team. «AMPV is a more rugged, reliable and capable platform than the M113s that it replaces, bringing more capability to our ABCTs and allowing our formations to transform how they are able to fight».
There are five variants of the AMPV that provide Soldiers with improvements in survivability, protection, weight, size, power, cooling and compatibility with future technologies.
The AMPV shares a common powertrain and suspension with the M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) and the M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer, which reduces logistical and mechanical burdens among ABCTs.
«The U.S. Army is transforming our ABCT through integration of improved technology with warfighting concepts across the force. These modernization efforts increase our capacity to deter adversaries and if necessary, fight and win in combat», said Colonel Peter Moon, commander, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. «We look forward to the capabilities that AMPV will bring to the battlefield to ensure we remain lethal and ready to win the fight».
The AMPV is produced by BAE Systems in York, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Army’s «24 in 23» Modernization Signature Systems to be in the hands of Soldiers in fiscal year 2023. The APMV program’s development, production and fielding is managed by Program Executive Office Ground Combat Systems and the Next Generation Combat Vehicle Cross Functional Team, both headquartered in Warren, Michigan.
First Unit Equipped, 3-69 Armor, 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division (Major Patrick M. Connelly, Public Affairs Officer, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division)
VARIANTS
The M1283 General Purpose (GP) provides protected maneuver for soldiers alongside ABCT combat vehicles during tactical operations and provides support to the infantry squad during mounted/dismounted assault during tactical operations. The GP variant accommodates two crew and four Soldiers and is reconfigurable to carry one litter.
The M1284 Medical Evacuation variant supports the ABCT integration of medical support and CASEVAC as an integrated part of the networked combat forward formation, enhancing the organic medics who ride with and accompany cavalry units during mounted and dismounted operations. Crew capacity is for three crew members, and a reconfigurable crew compartment that accommodates four litter casualties, six ambulatory (sitting) casualties, or a combination of two litter and three ambulatory casualties.
The M1285 Medical Treatment (MT) variant integrates advanced medical treatment in a mobile surgery suite to the ABCT. The MT hosts four crew members, which includes a medic and Physician Assistant or Unit Surgeon, and a treatment table that can serve to carry one litter patient. The vehicle also hosts the capability for onboard medical equipment for casualty care.
The M1286 Mission Command (MCmd) variant is the cornerstone of the Army’s ABCT Network Modernization Strategy. It takes advantage of increased size, weight, power, and cooling and provides a significant increase in Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4/ISR) capability. The variant accommodates two crew members, and three workstation operators, and its hosted network provides full Tactical Command Post capabilities at brigade and battalion levels.
The M1287 Mortar Carrier (MC) provides immediate, responsive, heavy mortar fire support to the ABCT in the conduct of fast paced offensive operations by utilizing the M121 Mortar System and M95 Mortar Fire Control System. The MC variant accommodates four Soldiers, one vehicle crew member and three mortar crew members.
In order to meet U.S. Army in Europe and Africa requirements, to improve command and control capabilities, and to manage forward operating sites within the Republic of Poland, the Army established the U.S. Army Garrison Poland in a ceremony March 21.
Army establishes permanent garrison in Poland
The garrison is one of the enduring improvements to the DoD posture in Europe based on assessments from the 2021 Global Posture Review and consultations with NATO allies, and announced by President Biden in June 2022.
During his remarks, Tommy. R. Mize, Director, Installation Management Command – Europe, addressed directly the V Corps Commanding General, Lieutenant General John Kolasheski, also in attendance.
«This garrison exists to support you, V Corps, and all your Soldiers. They will support you in accordance with your priorities and will enable V Corps readiness», Mize said. «IMCOM-E’s mission is to set the conditions for the garrison’s success».
«The relationship of the U.S. and Poland serves as an example of the deepening ties throughout the alliance. Today’s activation ceremony is a tangible reminder of the growth in our relationship», Kolasheski said.
In addition to Kolasheski, Mize, and Colonel Jorge Fonseca, USAG Poland commander, other speakers at the event were the Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, and U.S. Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski.
«This Army garrison ensures our brave men and women in uniform have the support they need so they can focus on their mission. Permanent support for troops permanently stationed in Poland», Brzezinski said.
In October 2022, a memorandum of agreement between the U.S. Army Materiel Command and U.S. Army Europe and Africa transferred operational control of Area Support Group Poland from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command to IMCOM-Europe, the higher headquarters for all Army garrisons in Europe.
«We must recognize that we are not just building a military installation, but we are also becoming an enduring member of the vibrant and proud communities of the 11 sub-sites of our garrison», Fonseca said.
USAG Poland will support three Forward Operating Sites (FOS) in Poland: FOS Poznan, FOS Powidz, and FOS Zagan, comprising a total of 11 locations in Poland.
In addition to supporting the permanently assigned forces, USAG Poland will also provide direct base operations support to roughly 4,000 rotational forces and 2,500 surge or exercise personnel.
«Our decades-long relationship with other communities and host nations throughout Europe has taught us valuable lessons we eagerly look forward to applying here in Poznan and in the communities surrounding all of the garrison’s installations here in Poland», Mize said.
Boeing delivered the most powerful satellite platform the company has built to date, the 702MP+, a custom-designed spacecraft for network provider Viasat.
ViaSat-3 Americas, one of the most powerful satellite platforms Boeing has ever built, in the Boeing El Segundo, California satellite factory (Boeing photo)
«Working with Boeing, we’re very excited to complete the ViaSat-3 Americas and bring us one step closer to providing higher speeds, more bandwidth, and greater value to our customers on a global scale whether they be on land, on the sea, or in the air», said Dave Ryan, president Space & Commercial Networks, Viasat. «The innovation of this satellite allows us new levels of flexibility to dynamically allocate capacity to the most attractive and engaged geographic markets».
Upon embarking from the Boeing factory in California, ViaSat-3 Americas was flown to the Florida Space Coast where Boeing and Viasat teams will support launch and mission operations as the spacecraft prepares to travel to geostationary orbit, approximately 22,000 miles/35,406 km from Earth. Once in orbit, ViaSat-3 Americas will be the first of three 702MP+ satellites to make up the ultra-high-capacity ViaSat-3 satellite constellation, designed to provide high-quality, affordable global connectivity and coverage.
«We designed, built and delivered the most powerful satellite platform we have ever provided to a customer. The result really is an engineering marvel», said Michelle Parker, vice president of Space Mission Systems at Boeing Defense, Space & Security. «We expanded the boundaries of our design and the platform components to exceed Viasat’s demanding mission requirements, while ensuring alignment with Boeing’s proven qualification and reliability standards».
Based on the flight-proven 702 vehicle design hosting the U.S. Department of Defense’s Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) constellation, and more than 40 other high-performing satellites, including ViaSat-2, Boeing’s 702MP+ features all-electric propulsion for the first time aboard a 702MP, providing more sustained thrust and efficiency.
Boeing improved the platform’s structure to support Viasat’s large payload. The platform also accommodates the largest commercial satellite solar arrays Boeing-subsidiary Spectrolab has ever produced, along with batteries and supporting electronics, which generate well over 30 kW of solar power.
The satellite has some of the largest reflectors ever sent to space and will be significantly larger than most geostationary satellites, requiring highly-refined, highly reliable hardware and software to maintain optimal satellite control. In addition to designing and manufacturing the platform, Boeing worked with Viasat to integrate the payload.
Australia’s aerospace company Hypersonix Launch Systems has been selected to provide hypersonic vehicles to the United States’ Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) for testing.
Australia’s Hypersonix selected by U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) for test vehicle
The Australian start-up was selected from a field of major international aerospace companies competing for the DIU contract under the Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities (HyCAT1) program.
The Silicon Valley-headquartered organization that taps into ‘non-traditional’ innovators, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and its U.S. Air Force and Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (USD R&E) partners, selected Hypersonix Launch Systems to provide a hypersonic vehicle for its Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities (HyCAT1) program. DIU’s contract with Hypersonix demonstrates the United States’ increased willingness to source commercial technologies from allied countries to meet urgent strategic challenges.
DIU selected Hypersonix from the 63 respondents to the agency’s September 2022 HyCAT solicitation seeking vehicles usable for high cadence long-endurance testing of: hypersonic platforms and components; sensors for detecting and tracking; and systems for communications, navigation, guidance and control. Specifically, DIU requested a vehicle capable of operating in a ‘representative environment’ that can maintain speeds above Mach 5 with a manoeuvrable/non-ballistic flight profile and at least a 3-minute flight duration with near-constant flight conditions. DIU also wishes the flights to be repeated at short intervals.
Hypersonix responded with its DART AE (Additive Engineering) vehicle. DART AE makes significant use of 3D-printing and is powered by a hydrogen-fuelled SPARTAN scramjet engine, capable of flying non-ballistic flight patterns at speeds of Mach 5 to Mach 7 and up to 1000 kms in range (400 seconds flight time). The DART AE has a modular payload bay of up to 20 lbs./9 kg and Hypersonix plans to fly it in early 2024.
«Our vehicles are capable of non-ballistic flight patterns to at least Mach 7, which exceeds the HyCAT1 specification», said David Waterhouse, Managing Director, Hypersonix Launch Systems.
«Our longer-term focus is to capture a slice of the emerging multi-billion-dollar commercial market for deployment of small satellites, but clearly Australia’s strategic defence allies see immediate potential in our technology. This is our first major contract and a key step in our commercialisation process – we couldn’t be happier. This puts Australia one step closer to being a major player in the international space race», David Waterhouse added.
On the night of March 18 to 19, 2023, the Jacques Chevallier, the first of the four force supply vessels (BRF) of the «Logistics Fleet» program (FlotLog) intended for the French Navy, left its construction port of Saint-Nazaire in order to begin a new phase of sea trials before heading to her future home port in Toulon.
The first force supply ship (BRF) of the FlotLog program leaves Saint-Nazaire to reach its home port
After being put on hold in December 2021, being floated in April 2022 and the ceremony for the first raising of colors on March 3, 2023, the BRF Jacques Chevallier has taken a new step by leaving its builder port before being received by the Organization Joint Armaments Cooperation (OCCAR), on behalf of the General Armaments Directorate (DGA), and its delivery to the French Navy in the summer of 2023.
The conduct of the ship will now be entrusted to a crew from the French Navy. In the short term, the ship will sail to Toulon, its future home port, where it will arrive at the end of March. This sea trial campaign is dedicated to the refueling system at sea (supplied by Chantiers de l’Atlantique), and the combat and communication system (supplied by Naval Group).
The construction of the second BRF, Jacques Stosskopf, will begin in Saint-Nazaire in about a year, for delivery in 2025.
Laurent Castaing, Managing Director of Chantiers de l’Atlantique declared: «We are delighted with the excellent result obtained thanks to the good cooperation of our teams and those of our various partners. We will now continue this quality collaboration until the delivery of the ship in July in Toulon».
Laurent Castaing praised the excellent result obtained thanks to the commitment of the teams and the good collaboration between the manufacturers, the DGA and the OCCAR.
«The FlotLog program is a great story of cooperation between European partners but also between industrial partners. The departure of the ship for its home port is an important milestone for the DGA, the French Navy, the Chantiers de l’Atlantique, Naval Group and all our industrial partners. We are proud to be part of this European program and remain fully committed to providing the DGA and the French Navy with the best expertise in the civil and military sectors in the construction of high-tonnage vessels», underlines Olivier de la Bourdonnaye, Buildings Director of surface of Naval Group.
A multi-purpose vessel resulting from a strategic European industrial partnership serving the French Navy
As a reminder, the BRF Jacques Chevallier is the first of a series of four ships intended for the French Navy, the order of which was notified in January 2019 to the Momentary Group of Companies formed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Naval Group. The FlotLog program is part of a Franco-Italian cooperation led by OCCAR on behalf of the DGA and its Italian counterpart Naval Weaponry Direction (NAVARM).
Through their alliance, Naval Group and Chantiers de l’Atlantique combine and leverage their skills in order to offer the best of each of the two companies in the construction of ships of more than 8,000 tons, in the service of the French Navy.
Equipped with a self-defence capability, the new series of BRFs is intended to replace the current tankers, with increased capacities and modern equipment in order to fully ensure the specific support missions of the carrier battle group, formed around the Charles de Gaulle aircraft, as well as any French or allied naval action group.
Chantiers de l’Atlantique is responsible for all of the design and construction of the four vessels and is responsible for the integration and assembly of on-board systems. Naval Group is responsible for designing, developing and integrating the ship’s military systems, including the combat system, the systems contributing to the reception capacity of aircraft and the loading of ammunition and the centralized control system for the installations of the platform. The combat system of the four buildings allows the ships to deploy independently to their area of operations, to provide protection against close threats and to lead the fight against asymmetric threats.
Technical characteristics
Full load displacement
31,000 tonnes
Overall length
194 m/636.5 feet
Overall width
27.6 m/90.5 feet
Accommodation
190 people, including 130 crew members, an aeronautical detachment of 10 people, and 50 passengers
