A new era in autonomy and unmanned systems for naval operations is on the horizon, as officials at the Office of Naval Research (ONR) announced April 14 recent technology demonstrations of swarming Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – part of the Low-Cost UAV Swarming Technology (LOCUST) program. LOCUST can launch swarming UAVs to autonomously overwhelm an adversary. The deployment of UAV swarms will provide Sailors and Marines a decisive tactical advantage.
The ONR demonstrations, which took place over the last month in multiple locations, included the launch of Coyote UAVs (BAE Systems/Sensintel) capable of carrying varying payloads for different missions
«The recent demonstrations are an important step on the way to the 2016 ship-based demonstration of 30 rapidly launched autonomous, swarming UAVs», said ONR program manager Lee Mastroianni.
The LOCUST program includes a tube-based launcher that can send UAVs into the air in rapid succession. The breakthrough technology then utilizes information-sharing between the UAVs, enabling autonomous collaborative behavior in either defensive or offensive missions. Since the launcher and the UAVs themselves have a small footprint, the technology enables swarms of compact UAVs to take off from ships, tactical vehicles, aircraft or other unmanned platforms.
The ONR demonstrations, which took place over the last month in multiple locations, included the launch of Coyote UAVs capable of carrying varying payloads for different missions. Another technology demonstration of nine UAVs accomplished completely autonomous UAV synchronization and formation flight.
UAVs reduce hazards and free personnel to perform more complex tasks, as well as requiring fewer people to do multiple missions
ONR officials note that while the LOCUST autonomy is cutting edge compared to remote-controlled UAVs, there will always be a human monitoring the mission, able to step in and take control as desired. «This level of autonomous swarming flight has never been done before», said Mastroianni. «UAVs that are expendable and reconfigurable will free manned aircraft and traditional weapon systems to do more, and essentially multiply combat power at decreased risk to the warfighter».
UAVs reduce hazards and free personnel to perform more complex tasks, as well as requiring fewer people to do multiple missions. Lowering costs is a major benefit of UAVs as well. Even hundreds of small autonomous UAVs cost less than a single tactical aircraft – and, officials note, having this capability will force adversaries to focus on UAV swarm response.
Coyote UAV can carry either an electro-optical (EO) or infrared (IR) camera and data transmitter (Length: 0.91 m; Wingspan: 1.47 m; Maximum Takeoff Weight: 5.9 kg; Endurance: 1 h; Ceiling: 6,096 m; Payload: 0.9 kg)
Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert’s Sailing Directions to the fleet note that over the next 10 to 15 years, the U.S. Navy will evolve and remain the preeminent maritime force. It directs: «Unmanned systems in the air and water will employ greater autonomy and be fully integrated with their manned counterparts».
ONR provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps’ technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 55 countries, 634 institutions of higher learning and non-profit institutions over 960 industry partners. ONR through its commands including headquarters, ONR Global and the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C., employs more than 3,800 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel.
The LOCUST program will make possible the launch of multiple swarming UAVs to autonomously overwhelm and adversary
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced (April 7, 2015) the successful completion of builder’s sea trials for the company’s fifth U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter (NSC), USCGC Joshua James (WMSL-754). The ship, built at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, spent three days in the Gulf of Mexico testing all of the ship’s systems.
The fifth Ingalls-built U.S. Coast Guard National Security Cutter, USCGC Joshua James (WMSL-754), sailed the Gulf of Mexico last week for her successful builder’s sea trials. Photo by Lance Davis/HII
«Any time we get the opportunity to take a new ship to sea, it is always something special, and this trip was no exception», said Jim French, Ingalls’ NSC program manager. «Our shipbuilding team continues to incorporate learning from ship to ship, making this a very stable program across the board. We’ve got a good NSC core team who work the same areas of each ship, and we are seeing the benefits associated with this serial production. It’s the most affordable way to build a class of ships».
Ingalls’ test and trials team led the sea trials and conducted extensive testing of the propulsion, electrical, damage control, anchor handling, small boat operations and combat systems. This culminated in the successful completion of a four-hour, full-power propulsion run on James.
«Our Ingalls/Coast Guard team worked tirelessly during the three days, and the ship performed well», said Richard Schenk, Ingalls’ vice president, program management and test and trials. «The Ingalls operating crew performed more than 180 events and handled each one with the utmost professionalism. It is obvious to all who sailed on builder’s trials that NSC 5 is ready for her acceptance trials at the end of April».
Ingalls has delivered four NSCs and has three more, including James, under construction. A construction contract was just awarded for an eighth NSC last week.
The ship is named to honor Captain Joshua James, one of the world’s most celebrated lifesavers. His lifesaving experience began at age 15 when he joined the Massachusetts Humane Society. Over the years, he was credited for saving more than 600 lives until the time of his death at age 75. He was on duty with the U.S. Life-Saving Service, which later merged into the U.S. Coast Guard. «The NSC team is extremely efficient in everything they do, and they proved it this week», said Jim McKinney, Ingalls’ NSC program director. «We start every ship with the goal for it to be better than the last one, and the men and women working in this program have not disappointed. The Coast Guard will be getting an awesome ship when we deliver James in June».
National Security Cutters (NSCs), the flagships of the Coast Guard’s cutter fleet, are designed to replace the 378-foot/115-m Hamilton-class high-endurance cutters, which entered service during the 1960s. NSCs are 418 feet/127 m long with a 54-foot/16-m beam and displace 4,500 long tons with a full load. They have a top speed of 28 knots/32 mph/52 km/h, a range of 12,000 nautical miles/22,224 km, an endurance of 60 days and a crew of 120.
The Legend-class NSC is capable of meeting all maritime security mission needs required of the high-endurance cutter. The cutter includes an aft launch and recovery area for two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) and a flight deck to accommodate a range of manned and unmanned rotary-wing aircraft. It is the largest and most technologically advanced class of cutter in the Coast Guard, with robust capabilities for maritime homeland security, law enforcement, marine safety, environmental protection and national defense missions. The Legend-class of cutters plays an important role in enhancing the Coast Guard’s operational readiness, capacity and effectiveness at a time when the demand for their services has never been greater.
Facts
Displacement: 4,500 long tons
Length: 418 feet/127 m
Beam: 54 feet/16 m
Speed: 28 knots/32 mph/52 km/h
Range: 12,000 NM/22,224 km
Endurance: 60 days
Crew: 120
Equipped with: Mk-110 57-mm turret mounted gun; 6 × 12.7-mm/.50 caliber machine guns; 3D air search radar; 2 level 1, class 1 aircraft hangers; A stern launch ramp for mission boats
It said in The Hindu that India launched its first indigenously built attack submarine on April 6, 2015 at Mazagaon Dock Limited in Mumbai. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was speaking to the press at the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) after commemorating the undocking of the first of class submarine of Project 75, named INS Kalvari, the Tiger Shark. The French-designed, Indian-built Scorpene-class is the first of six diesel-electric boats (SSK) set to join the fleet over the next few years as part of the Indian Navy’s Project 75 in collaboration with France (DCNS), according to India Today.
It is designed to operate in all theatres including the tropics
On the Scorpene submarines, Mr. Parrikar said, India will fulfil its requirement of submarines to protect its sea waters by 2022. «We expect the rest of the construction to be completed as per the schedule. Any delay in achieving the deadline will result in heavy penalty», he said.
Acknowledging the efforts of MDL in construction of this partially indigenous submarine, the Defence Minister said the government had an ambitious plan to fulfil the requirements of the armed forces as per which all Public Sector Undertakings would double their production in the next two years. «We want to build a ‘Blue Water Navy’ which can survive despite operating across the deep ocean waters without any problems. We will ensure that we become one such navy», he added, according to The Hindu.
Following the undocking of submarine on Monday, the launching of the Scorpene-class boat will take place in September 2015. Until September 2016, it will undergo rigorous trials and tests, both in harbour and at sea, while on surface and underwater. Thereafter it would be commissioned into the Navy as INS Kalvari.
According to BBC, the Scorpene-class attack submarines will be delivered every nine months, with the last of the six subs inducted into the Navy by 2018
Scorpene 2000
Scorpene 2000 submarines design takes into account the requirements of war time and of far and long deployments. This includes the large and varied underwater weapons payload, the unrivalled acoustic advantage, the hydrodynamic shape and detection means fitted for high speeds, the redundancy and reliability of main equipments. Scorpene 2000 submarines fulfil the entire scope of missions of modern multipurpose submarines:
anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare;
integration in a naval force;
special operations;
intelligence gathering;
offensive minelaying;
area surveillance and blockade;
strikes against land-based objectives.
The SUBTICS (Submarine Tactical Integrated Combat System) fully integrated combat system gathers all the information from the sensors or data links in order to build a comprehensive picture of the tactical situation and to deploy the appropriate weapons. Besides a high quality sonar suite and several above-water sensors, the combat system includes a fast, silent and safe weapon handling and launching system – enabling the loading of any launching tube with any weapon at any time. Scorpene 2000’s 18 heavy-weapon payload is the best on the market and able to launch torpedoes, missiles or mines.
Thanks to its pure hydrodynamic shapes, to the sensitivity and fine integration of the sonars, Scorpene has proven at sea its listening capacities up to maximum speed
Scorpene customers
Chile: 2 submarines at sea.
Building place:
Cherbourg (France), Cartagena (Spain).
Malaysia: 2 submarines at sea.
Building place:
Cherbourg (France), Cartagena (Spain).
India: 6 submarines under construction.
Building place (by transfer of technology):
Mumbai (India).
Brazil: 4 submarines under construction.
Building place (by transfer of technology):
Itaguaí (Brazil).
General Characteristics
Length, overall
66-82 m/216.5-269 feet
Displacement surfaced
1,550-2,000 t
Displacement submerged
1,800-2,150 t
Submerged speed
>20 knots/23 mph/37 km/h
Submerged endurance
>3 weeks
Diving depth
>350 m/1,148 feet
Autonomy
>50 days
Crew
31: 6 officers and 25 enlisted sailors
Armament
6 × 533 mm torpedo tubes that can deploy the SM-39 Exocet Block 2 anti-ship missile
Rechargeable at sea, lithium-ion batteries allow more than one week submerged at low speed, and very good performance at high speed
The U.S. Navy has awarded funding for the construction of DDG-122, the Fiscal Year 2015 Arleigh Burke-class destroyer under contract at General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. This $610.4 million contract modification fully funds this ship, which was awarded in 2013 as part of a multi-ship competition for DDG-51 class destroyers. The total value of the five-ship contract is approximately $3.4 billion. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works is a business unit of General Dynamics (GD).
The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110) transits the Pacific Ocean
Fred Harris, president of Bath Iron Works (BIW), said, «This announcement allows us to continue efforts associated with planning and construction of DDG-122. We appreciate the leadership of Senators Collins and King and the strong support of our entire delegation in matters of national defense. We are grateful for their recognition of the contributions made by the people of BIW to the U.S. Navy’s important shipbuilding programs».
There are currently three DDG-51 destroyers in production at Bath Iron Works, Rafael Peralta (DDG-115), Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) and Daniel Inouye (DDG-118). The shipyard began fabrication on Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) in November 2011, and delivery to the Navy is scheduled for 2016. Fabrication on Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) began in November 2012, and that ship is scheduled to be delivered to the U.S. Navy in 2017. Fabrication has just begun on Daniel Inouye (DDG-118), the first ship of the 2013 multi-ship award.
Bath Iron Works is also building the three ships in the planned three-vessel Zumwalt-class of destroyers, USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000), Michael Monsoor (DDG-1001) and Lyndon Johnson (DDG-1002).
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer is a multi-mission combatant that offers defense against a wide range of threats, including ballistic missiles. It operates in support of carrier battle groups, surface action groups, amphibious groups and replenishment groups, providing a complete array of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) and Anti-SUrface Warfare (ASUW) capabilities. Designed for survivability, the ships incorporate all-steel construction and have gas turbine propulsion. The combination of the ships’ AEGIS combat system, the Vertical Launching System (VLS), an advanced ASW system, 2 embarked SH-60 helicopters, advanced anti-aircraft missiles and Tomahawk anti-ship and land-attack missiles make the Arleigh Burke class the most powerful surface combatant ever put to sea.
USS Nitze (DDG-94) – Flight IIA: 5″/62, one 20-mm CIWS variant
SGT Rafael Peralta (1979-2004) is the namesake of DDG-115. Born in Mexico City, he joined the United States Marine Corps as soon as he had a green card in 2000 and later became a U.S. Citizen. In 2008, SGT Rafael Peralta was deployed in Iraq with 1st Platoon, Company A, First Battalion, Third Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, First Marine Division to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom. SGT Peralta was killed on November 15, 2004 in house-to-house urban warfare in the second battle of Fallujah and was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions.
CAPT Thomas J. Hudner (Born August 31, 1924) is the living namesake of DDG-116 who currently resides in Concord, Massachusetts. As a former Naval aviator, he received the Medal of Honor for his actions while trying to save the life of his wingman, Ensign Jesse L. Brown, during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in the Korean War on December 4, 1950. Hudner and Brown were among a group of pilots on patrol near the Chosin Reservoir when Brown’s Corsair was struck by ground fire from Chinese troops and crashed. In an attempt to save Brown from his burning aircraft, Hudner intentionally crash-landed his own aircraft on a snowy mountain in freezing temperatures to help him. Despite these efforts, Brown died of his injuries and Hudner was forced to evacuate, having also been injured in the landing.
The Arleigh Burk-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG-102) departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to support Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2010 exercises
Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division has received a $499.8 million fixed-price incentive contract from the U.S. Coast Guard to build an eighth National Security Cutter, USCGC Midgett (WMSL-757).
The National Security Cutter is the first new design for the service in 20 years, and features enhanced capabilities that will allow the eight-ship class to replace 12 aging high-endurance cutters that have been in service for 40 years
«We are performing extremely well in this program, proving the point that serial production is the most efficient and effective way to build complex military ships», said Jim French, Ingalls’ National Security Cutter program manager. «We continue to fold in learning for each ship we build, and the three under construction right now are tracking well because of this knowledge».
Ingalls has delivered four National Security Cutters to the Coast Guard and currently has three more under construction: USCGC James (WMSL-754), USCGC Munro (WMSL-755) and USCGC Kimball (WMSL-756). These ships will be delivered in 2015, 2016 and 2018, respectively. Midgett is scheduled to deliver in 2019.
National Security Cutters (NSCs), the flagships of the Coast Guard’s cutter fleet, are designed to replace the 378-foot/115-m Hamilton-class high-endurance cutters, which entered service during the 1960s. NSCs are 418 feet/127 m long with a 54-foot/16-m beam and displace 4,500 long tons with a full load. They have a top speed of 28 knots/32 mph/52 km/h, a range of 12,000 nautical miles/22,224 km, an endurance of 60 days and a crew of 120.
The Legend-class NSC is capable of meeting all maritime security mission needs required of the high-endurance cutter. The cutter includes an aft launch and recovery area for two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) and a flight deck to accommodate a range of manned and unmanned rotary-wing aircraft.
It is the largest and most technologically advanced class of cutter in the Coast Guard, with robust capabilities for maritime homeland security, law enforcement, marine safety, environmental protection and national defense missions. The Legend-class of cutters plays an important role in enhancing the Coast Guard’s operational readiness, capacity and effectiveness at a time when the demand for their services has never been greater.
NSCs have several features that enhance overall mission performance, including, CODAG propulsion for faster speeds, stern ramp launch and recovery for a combination of small boats 7 – 11 meters in length, and a very large flight deck with two hangars to accommodate helicopters or VUAVs
Facts
Displacement: 4,500 long tons
Length: 418 feet/127 m
Beam: 54 feet/16 m
Speed: 28 knots/32 mph/52 km/h
Range: 12,000 NM/22,224 km
Endurance: 60 days
Crew: 120
Equipped with: Mk-110 57-mm turret mounted gun; 6 × 12.7-mm/.50 caliber machine guns; 3D air search radar; 2 level 1, class 1 aircraft hangers; A stern launch ramp for mission boats
USCG National Security Cutter Hamilton (WMSL-753) on sea trials, July 18, 2014
According to Grace Jean, IHS Jane’s correspondent, after a successful two-month maiden transit around South America to its homeport in California, the U.S. Navy’s new amphibious assault ship, USS America (LHA-6), is conducting tests and training for final contract trials ahead of its post-delivery availability.
Incorporating two General Electric (GE) LM 2500+ gas turbines (instead of the steam boilers found in Tarawa-class ships) and GE’s Auxiliary Propulsion System, which uses the ship’s electric grid to power two induction auxiliary propulsion motors (instead of using main propulsion engines to turn the ship’s shaft), America displaces 44,971 tonnes fully loaded
When the U.S. Navy’s (USN’s) latest amphibious assault ship, USS America (LHA-6), departs on its maiden deployment in 2017, its flight deck will be capable of operating the newest aircraft flown by the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC): the F-35B Lightning II Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) variant of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).
Commissioned in late 2014, the lead ship of the USN’s newest class of ‘large deck’ amphibious platforms is completing a period of testing and trials in the Pacific off the coast of California, where it is based. Following final contract trials, the 257.3 m-long America will enter its post-delivery availability, during which its flight deck is expected to be upgraded with coatings and other systems meant to help the ship better cope with F-35B operations. The ship can transport up to 28 MV-22s with their wings folded, but the total number accommodated drops to 24 when MV-22 flight operations are conducted. An initial America-class air wing could consist of 12 MV-22s and 12 F-35Bs to provide both strike and assault capability.
In late February 2015 USS America (LHA-6) was under way in the Pacific off the coast of southern California conducting tests and training evolutions in preparation for its final contract trials, expected to take place later in the year. By early March the ship had accomplished another milestone on its path to becoming fully operational: having Harriers land on its flight deck for the first time, helping America become fully certified for air operations.
Only one year earlier the ship was being prepared for delivery out of Ingalls. During a shipboard tour there in May 2014, America ‘s commanding officer, Captain Robert Hall Jr, told IHS Jane’s that the ship would embark a flag staff, a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) of around 300 marines, 4 MV-22s, and 3 MH-60 helicopters for its maiden transit to the western U.S. coast for commissioning, later adding that 4 CH-46 helicopters would also be added to the mix.
America has an extended hangar bay and additional aviation support spaces and fuel capacity to accommodate the MAGTF’s entire Air Combat Element (ACE) comprising the USMC’s larger successor aircraft to the AV-8B Harrier II jet and CH-46E Chinook helicopter – the F-35B and MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor respectively – as well as the CH-53E/K Sea Stallion heavylift helicopter, the UH-1Y Huey utility helicopter, the AH-1Z Super Cobra attack helicopter, and the MH-60S Seahawk multimission helicopter
Normally a new USN ship transits from shipyard to homeport and commissioning without fanfare, so America ‘s arrangement to embark marine personnel and aircraft for a bespoke assignment around a continent was unique. «Having this type of force embarked was completely unprecedented for a pre-commissioned ship’s first underway, but was instrumental to our ability to showcase the strength and capability of our Navy/Marine Corps team and to facilitate relationship building with our important partners in South America», Captain Hall told IHS Jane’s in March 2015.
In July 2014 USS America (LHA-6) journeyed around South America, making port calls at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Colombia. «During the deployment we visited and hosted senior-level military and civilian distinguished visitors from Cartagena, Colombia; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Valparaiso, Chile; and Callao, Peru», Captain Robert Hall said.
«We also flew out distinguished visitors from Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and El Salvador for key leadership engagements on board and we had the rare opportunity to transit through the Strait of Magellan. All in all, an amazing voyage and the ship performed incredibly well». Embarking marines was part of the USN’s plan to begin training and integration with the sister service early as well as developing operational concepts for the America-class as a whole.
«They integrated seamlessly and provided my crew of mostly first-term sailors with the early opportunity to experience amphibious operations and learn the importance of operating as a team at sea», Captain Hall said. «Having the MV-22 Ospreys on board was a huge bonus for us when performing a number of important roles. Although their primary mission was long-range insertion of marines to conduct theatre security co-operation engagements in Colombia, Brazil, Chile, and Peru, they were also important to our logistics support, flight deck crew training, and for transporting distinguished visitors out to the ship – and they offered a pretty impressive backdrop during all of our shipboard receptions and four international press conferences». (Source: IHS Jane’s Defence Industry and Markets Intelligence Centre)
A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier II prepares to land on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy’s new amphibious assault ship, USS America, during maritime training operations off the coast of California on 25 February 2015. The ship is the first of its class and is optimised for Marine Corps aviation (U.S. Navy)
The joint high-speed vessel USNS Trenton (JHSV-5) completed acceptance trials at the Austal USA shipyard March 13, the U.S. Navy announced March 24. The week-long trials were held in the Gulf of Mexico and overseen by the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). INSURV worked alongside the shipyard to demonstrate the ship’s equipment and system operation to ensure it is ready for delivery and fulfills all contractual requirements.
The future Military Sealift Command joint high-speed vessel USNS Trenton (JHSV 5) rolls out in preparation for launch at Austal USA shipyard
«USNS Trenton performed very well during these trials», said Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Manager Capt. Henry Stevens. «The rigorous testing each ship undergoes ensures the U.S. Navy receives the most capable and mission ready asset at delivery».
JHSVs are versatile, non-combatant ships capable of transporting 600 short tons 1,200 nautical miles/2,222 km at an average speed of 35 knots/40 mph/65 km/h. They are equipped with airline style seating for 312 embarked forces, and fixed berthing for 104. USNS Trenton will be used for the fast intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles and equipment. The ship’s 15-foot/4.6 m shallow draft, ability to interface with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities, and ease of access to austere and deteriorated piers will facilitate littoral operations and port access.
Having completed acceptance trials, USNS Trenton (JHSV-5) will now prepare for delivery to the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) later this year. The ship will be capable of supporting a wide range of operations including non-combatant evacuation operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
The first four ships of the Spearhead-class have delivered to the fleet. The first two ships of the class, USNS Spearhead (JHSV-1) and USNS Choctaw County (JHSV-2) have completed overseas deployments to Europe, West Africa and the Caribbean.
As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, Program Executive Offices (PEO) Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships and special warfare craft. Delivering high-quality war fighting assets – while balancing affordability and capability – is key to supporting the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Strategy.
The JHSV program is procuring 10 high-speed transport vessels for the US Army and the US Navy
Specifications
Principal dimensions
Material: Hull and superstructure – aluminium alloy
Length overall: 103 m/337.9 feet
Beam overall: 28.5 m/93.5 feet
Hull draft (maximum): 3.83 m/12.57 feet
Mission bay
Area (with tie-downs): 1,863 m2/20,053 feet2
Clear Height: 4.75 m/15.6 feet
Turning diameter: 26.2 m/86.0 feet
ISO TEU Stations: 6 Interface Panels
Accommodations
Crew: 41
Single SR: 2
Double SR: 6
Quad SR: 7
Troop Seats: 312
Troop Berths
Permanent: 104
Temporary: 46
Galley and Messing: 48
The ships can operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways, interface with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities, and on/off-load a combat-loaded Abrams Main Battle Tank (M1A2)
Propulsion
Main Engines: 4 × MTU 20V8000 M71L Diesel Engines 4 × 9.1 MW
Gear boxes: 4 × ZF 60000NR2H Reduction Gears
Waterjets: 4 × Wartsila WLD 1400 SR
Performance
Speed
Average: 35 knots/40 mph/65 km/h @ 90% MCR with 635 mt (700 st) payload
Maximum: 43 knots/50 mph/80 km/h without payload
Range
Maximum Transit: 1,200 NM/2,222 km
Self-Deployment: 5,600 NM/10,371 km
Survival Through: SS-7
Aviation facilities
NAVAIR Level 1 Class 2 Certified Flight Deck for one helicopter
Centreline parking area for one helicopter
NAVAIR Level 1 class 4 Type 2 Certified VERTREP
Helicopter Control Station
Auxiliary systems
Active Ride Control
Transcom Interceptors
Foils: 3.24 m2/34.9 feet2 each, forward on inboard sides of demi-hulls
Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division launched the company’s 29th Arleigh Burke-class (DDG-51) Aegis guided missile destroyer (Flight IIA, the 63th ship in the series), John Finn (DDG-113), at first light on Saturday, March 28.
Ingalls Shipbuilding launched the Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyer John Finn (DDG-113) on Saturday morning (Photo by Andrew Young/HII)
The guided missile destroyer is named after John William Finn, who earned the Medal of Honor for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II. When the attack began, John rushed to the squadron of PBY flying boats he worked on, detached a machine gun and moved to an open position to shoot at Japanese planes for the duration of the attack despite being wounded multiple times.
«It’s exciting to see another Ingalls-built destroyer in the water», said DDG-51 Program Manager George Nungesser. «Our shipbuilders have proven time and time again they can handle whatever it takes to build, test and deliver these extremely complex warships. This launch was no exception. Our hot production line is now in a good state as we have three DDGs under construction and another one in pre-fabrication. What our shipbuilders accomplish every day matters to our quality, cost and schedule, and implementing our learning from ship to ship will allow us to improve in every aspect of destroyer construction».
Ingalls uses a safe and efficient method of launching ships and has been using that process for more than 40 years. John Finn (DDG-113) was moved on rail cars from land to the company’s floating drydock a week prior to launch. Shipbuilders then spent the next week preparing the ship and dry dock for Saturday’s launch.
Arleigh Burke Class Flight IIA
«This is the first Arleigh Burke DDG-51-class ship to launch in almost four years, and we’re both proud and excited with the progress the program is making», said Capt. Mark Vandroff, the U.S. Navy’s DDG-51-class program manager. «I look forward to John Finn (DDG-113) joining the fleet and the other ships of her class to continue in the legacy of success that is the Arleigh Burke DDG-51-class destroyer».
Ingalls Shipbuilding has delivered 28 Arleigh Burke DDG-51-class destroyers to the U.S. Navy. Destroyers currently under construction at Ingalls Shipbuilding are John Finn (DDG-113), Ralph Johnson (DDG-114), Paul Ignatius (DDG-117) and Delbert D. Black (DDG-119). Just last week, Ingalls Shipbuilding received a contract modification funding the construction of the company’s 33rd destroyer, DDG-121.
Arleigh Burke DDG-51-class destroyers are highly capable, multi-mission ships that can conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection, all in support of the United States’ military strategy. The guided missile destroyers are capable of simultaneously fighting air, surface and subsurface threats. The ship contains myriad offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime defense needs well into the 21st century.
Laura Stavridis (right) and Bob Merchent (second from right) mark their initials on the keel plate for the destroyer John Finn (DDG-113) on Monday, November 4, 2013. Stavridis is the ship’s sponsor; Merchent is Ingalls’ vice president of U.S. Coast Guard and surface combatant programs. Also pictured are (left to right) George Nungesser, Ingalls’ DDG-51 program manager, and Ingalls Shipbuilding President Irwin F. Edenzon (Photo by Lance Davis)
Ship Characteristics
Length Overall
510 feet/156 meters
Beam – Waterline
59 feet/18 meters
Draft
30.5 feet/9.3 meters
Displacement – Full Load
9,217 tons/9,363 metric tons
Power Plant
4 General electric LM 2500-30 gas turbines; 2 shafts; 2 CRP (Contra-Rotating) propellers; 100,000 shaft horsepower/ 75,000 kW
SPY-1D Phased Array Radar and Aegis Combat System (Lockheed Martin); SPS-73(V) Navigation; SPS-67(V)3 Surface Search; 3 SPG-62 Illuminator; SQQ-89(V)6 sonar incorporating SQS-53C hull mounted and SQR-19 towed array sonars used with Mark-116 Mod 7 ASW fire control system
Electronics/Countermeasures
SLQ-32(V)3; Mark-53 Mod 0 Decoy System; Mark-234 Decoy System; SLQ-25A Torpedo Decoy; SLQ-39 Surface Decoy; URN-25 TACAN; UPX-29 IFF System; Kollmorgen Mark-46 Mod 1 Electro-Optical Director
Aircraft
2 embarked SH-60 helicopters ASW operations; RAST (Recovery Assist, Secure and Traverse)
DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) has awarded prime contracts for Phase 2 of TERN (Tactically Exploited Reconnaissance Node), a joint program between DARPA and the U.S. Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR). The goal of TERN is to give forward-deployed small ships the ability to serve as mobile launch and recovery sites for medium-altitude, long-endurance Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs).
These systems could provide long-range Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and other capabilities over greater distances and time periods than is possible with current assets, including manned and unmanned helicopters. Further, a capacity to launch and retrieve aircraft on small ships would reduce the need for ground-based airstrips, which require significant dedicated infrastructure and resources. The two prime contractors selected by DARPA to work on new systems are AeroVironment, Inc., and Northrop Grumman Corp.
«To offer the equivalent of land-based UAS capabilities from small-deck ships, our Phase 2 performers are each designing a new Unmanned Air System intended to enable two previously unavailable capabilities:
the ability for a UAS to take off and land from very confined spaces in elevated sea states;
the ability for such a UAS to transition to efficient long-duration cruise missions», said Dan Patt, DARPA program manager.
«Tern’s goal is to develop breakthrough technologies that the U.S. Navy could realistically integrate into the future fleet and make it much easier, quicker and less expensive for the Defense Department to deploy persistent ISR and strike capabilities almost anywhere in the world», added Dan Patt.
The first two phases of the TERN program focus on preliminary design and risk reduction. In Phase 3, one performer will be selected to build a full-scale demonstrator TERN system for initial ground-based testing. That testing would lead to a full-scale, at-sea demonstration of a prototype UAS on an at-sea platform with deck size similar to that of a destroyer or other surface combat vessel.
Unfortunately, DARPA has restricted the bidding teams from revealing most details about their aircraft proposals, said Stephen Trimble, Flightglobal.com reporter.
The agency has released an image of an artist’s concept for a notional TERN vehicle. It reveals a tail-sitter, twin-engined design resembling the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) built by General Atomics and used primarily by the United States Air Force (USAF) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
The artist’s concept demonstrates a sharply dihedral mid-wing and the Predator’s familiar anhedral stabilisers. The new vehicle is shown equipped with a visual sensor.
A dedicated launch and recovery system for the TERN UAS is not visible on either vessel shown in the image. A tail-sitter TERN is shown perched however on the aft helicopter deck of the destroyer, suggesting no catapults or nets are required to launch and retrieve the aircraft.
The Navy’s Tactical Tomahawk missile underwent a successful production acceptance test March 19 using Functional Ground Test (FGT) capability at Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division’s (NSWC IHEODTD) Large Rocket Motor Test Facility in Indian Head, Maryland.
Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile can circle for hours, shift course instantly on command and beam a picture of its target to controllers halfway around the world before striking with pinpoint accuracy
The Tomahawk land attack missile – managed by Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR) Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEOU&W) – is an all-weather, long-range, sub-sonic cruise missile used for land attack warfare, and is launched from U.S. Navy surface ships and submarines.
«This latest FGT – which is the 84th we’ve conducted in the past 25 years – was in support of the RGM-109E Block IV, Vertical Launch System (VLS) full-rate production lot acceptance», said NSWC IHEODTD’s Michael Spriggs, senior engineer and FGT test conductor. «For the test, we used a single, representative missile from the full-rate production line to demonstrate the capability of this lot to perform mission requirements. The data we collected from the test will be used to verify the manufacturing processes and quality of missiles produced».
During the test, the missile is exercised at the system level as it would be in an operational flight through the detonation command, except that the missile is restrained in a specially designed test stand and is equipped with an inert warhead.
«After ‘launch,’ real-time, six-degree-of-freedom accredited mission simulation software provides inputs to the missile’s guidance system to mimic flight, targeting and detonation. The missile ‘flew’ for about an hour and 45 minutes before it successfully acquired the target», said NSWC IHEODTD FGT software lead Mike Gardner.
Because the missile remains intact, special instrumentation can be applied and thorough post-flight inspections can be conducted.
«Preliminary assessment indicates this missile performed as expected and all test objectives were achieved», said Spriggs.
According to Spriggs, the FGT program at NSWC IHEODTD began in 1990 as a basic test capability to support NAVAIR’s Tomahawk Weapons System Program Office (PMA-280), and has evolved along with the missile to support all variants. In addition to acceptance testing, FGTs are conducted to verify new missiles; assess service life of aged missiles; monitor stockpiled missiles; or observe newly engineered components.
«We anticipate conducting the next FGT later this fiscal year to sample a capsule launching system variant», said NSWC IHEODTD’s Phillip Vaughn, FGT program manager.
NSWC IHEODTD is a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command and is part of the Department of the Navy’s science and engineering enterprise. The division is the leader in energetics, energetic materials, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) knowledge, tools, equipment. The division focuses on the research, development, test, evaluation, in-service support, and disposal of energetics and energetic systems as well as works to provide Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and Airmen worldwide with the information and technological solutions they need to detect/locate, access, identify, render safe, recover/exploit, and dispose of both conventional and unconventional explosive threats.
Members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division team at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head prepare a Tomahawk missile for a functional ground test at the Large Motor Test Facility in Indian Head, Md. The event marks the 84th functional ground test the Division has conducted since the program began 25 years ago (U.S. Navy photo by Monica McCoy/Released)
Tomahawk cruise missile
Description
The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) is an all-weather, long range, subsonic cruise missile used for land attack warfare, launched from U. S. Navy surface ships and U.S. Navy and Royal Navy submarines.
Features
Tomahawk carries a nuclear or conventional payload. The conventional, land-attack, unitary variant carries a 1,000-pound-class (453.6 kg) warhead (TLAM-C) while the submunitions dispenser variant carries 166 combined-effects bomblets (TLAM-D).
The Block III version incorporates engine improvements, an insensitive extended range warhead, time-of-arrival control and navigation capability using an improved Digital Scene Matching Area Correlator (DSMAC) and Global Positioning System (GPS), which can significantly reduce mission-planning time and increase navigation and terminal accuracy.
Tomahawk Block IV (TLAM-E) is the latest improvement to the Tomahawk missile family. Block IV capability enhancements include:
increased flexibility utilizing two-way satellite communications to reprogram the missile in-flight to a new aimpoint or new preplanned mission, send a new mission to the missile enroute to a new target, and missile health and status messages during the flight;
increased responsiveness with faster launch timelines, mission planning capability aboard the launch platform, loiter capability in the area of emerging targets, the ability to provide battle damage indication in the target area, and the capability to provide a single-frame image of the target or other areas of interest along the missile flight path;
improved affordability with a production cost of a Block IV significantly lower than the cost of a new Block III and a 15-year Block IV recertification interval compared to the eight-year interval for Block III.
Background
Tomahawk cruise missiles are designed to fly at extremely low altitudes at high subsonic speeds, and are piloted over an evasive route by several mission tailored guidance systems. The first operational use was in Operation Desert Storm, 1991, with immense success. The missile has since been used successfully in several other conflicts. In 1995 the governments of the United States and United Kingdom signed a Foreign Military Sales Agreement for the acquisition of 65 missiles, marking the first sale of Tomahawk to a foreign country.
The Tomahawk is a highly accurate, GPS enabled precision weapon that has been used over 2,000 times in combat, and flight tested more than 500 times
General Characteristics
Primary Function
Long-range subsonic cruise missile for striking high value or heavily defended land targets
Contractor
Raytheon Systems Company, Tucson, Arizona
Date Deployed
Block II TLAM-A IOC*
1984
Block III TLAM-C, TLAM-D IOC*
1994
Block IV TLAM-E IOC*
2004
Unit Cost
Approximately $569,000
Propulsion
Williams International F107 cruise turbo-fan engine; ARC/CSD solid-fuel booster
Length
18 feet 3 inch/5.56 m; 20 feet 6 inch/6.25 m with booster
Diameter
20.4 inch/51.81 cm
Wingspan
8 feet 9 inch/2.67 m
Weight
2,900 lbs/1,315.44 kg; 3,500 lbs/1,587.6 kg with booster
Speed
about 478 knots/550 mph/880 km/h
Range
Block II TLAM-A
1,350 NM/1,500 statute miles/2,500 km
Block III TLAM-C
900 NM/1,000 statute miles/1,600 km
Block III TLAM-D
700 NM/800 statute miles/1,250 km
Block IV TLAM-E
900 NM/1,000 statute miles/1,600 km
Guidance System
Block II TLAM-A
INS**, TERCOM***
Block III TLAM-C, D & Block IV TLAM-E
INS**, TERCOM***, DSMAC****, GPS
Warhead
Block II TLAM-N
W80 nuclear warhead
Block III TLAM-D
conventional submunitions dispenser with combined effect bomblets
Block III TLAM-C and Block IV TLAM-E
unitary warhead
* Initial Operational Capability
** Inertial Navigation System
*** TERrain COtour Matching
**** Digital Scene-Mapping Area Correlator
The latest variant (Tomahawk Block IV) includes a two-way satellite data-link that enables the missile to be retargeted in flight to preprogrammed, alternate targets
