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A couple of interesting tidbits....

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  • A couple of interesting tidbits....

    Boeing hedges against JSF delays with stealthier Super Hornet
    A Boeing Phantom Works team is working on the design of a stealthier version of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, known internally as the Block 3. The design is being studied as a hedge against further delays with the Lockheed Martin F-35C Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), which has already slipped by at least a year.
    [Jane's International Defense Review - first posted to http://idr.janes.com - 18 May 2005]

    No big surprise.

    Below is a program that hasnt received much publicity:

    US Navy missile to rattle bounds of turbine flight
    The US Navy, having recently selected the winning design, wants to fly a prototype supersonic cruise missile by 2008, powered by what is expected to be the fastest turbine engine ever built.
    [Jane's Defence Weekly - first posted to http://jdw.janes.com - 20 May 2005]

    This points up the fact that its now more about systems more than a particular specific platform. This reality is not liked by many.:

    Raytheon receives USN contract for controversial DD(X) systems
    Key points: * Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems has won a maximum US$3 billion contract for system integration and detail design services on the US Navy's DD(X) destroyer programme. * The award comes after it was reported that the US Navy had scaled back procurement plans for the DD(X) in the face of congressional pressure to reduce spending.
    [Jane's Defence Industry - first posted to http://jdin.janes.com - 19 May 2005]

    $3B for DD (X) Ship Integration & Design
    Posted 25-May-2005 09:00


    DD (X) DestroyerA consortium led by Raytheon Co. Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) in Tewksbury, MA received a cost-plus award-fee letter contract with a not-to-exceed ceiling of $3 billion for DD (X) ship system integration and detail design. Raytheon and its partners will develop systems for the new destroyers that improve on existing technology, including radar, sonar, the ships' computing network and external communications network and missile launchers. The consortium will also be integrating the systems to make sure they work together.

    The Navy's DD (X) program is a family of surface combatant ships expected to serve until 2061, including destroyers, cruisers and smaller LCS craft for near-shore operations.

    Work will be performed by Raytheon IDS in Tewksbury, MA; Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors in Moorestown, NJ; BAE acquisition United Defense LP in Minneapolis, MN; Northrop Grumman Mission Systems in King George, VA; and Ball Aerospace & Technology Corp. in Westminster, CO; and is expected to be complete by December 2009. This contract was not competitively procured. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C. issued the contract (N00024-05-C-5346).

    For me the below is disconcerting. Ive always been a fan of the Dutch navy. They already decommissioned one in 1999, three in 2001, one in 2002, one in 2003, two last year and two this year reducing to 10 surface combatants. At the beginning of 1999 they had 16 frigates in -service. On the plus side four of them(one commisioned each year starting in 2002) are the new AAW frigates of the De Zeven Provincien class. :

    Dutch Navy to Dispose of Larger Frigates
    Radio Netherlands
    May 24, 2005, 09:37


    Defence Minister Henk Kamp wants the navy to get rid of a number of large frigates.

    The ships will be replaced by smaller vessels which can be used to patrol the coast.

    The defence minister's plans are in line with the wishes of parliament.

    The new strategy represents a shift of emphasis away from sea power and towards providing support for operations on land.

    The minister is due to inform MPs about the changes to the navy today.


    Indian shipbuilding programs have historically been longgggg drawn out affairs. But I havent heard anything about this: "Admiral Prakash said that several countries around India, including Myanmar and Thailand, were acquiring submarines and India seemed to be the odd man out. ":

    National

    "Delay in replacing submarine fleet a serious matter"

    Arunkumar Bhatt

    Admiral Prakash calls upon shipyards to increase their production

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Ageing submarines to start retiring from 2012
    Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand acquiring modern fleets
    Project 75 envisages building 24 submarines by 2025-30
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    MUMBAI: The inordinate delay in the clearance of its crucial plan, "Project 75", concerning acquisition and building of submarines, was not only causing operational lacuna but also causing special skill and capabilities for building submarines to fritter away, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Arun Prakash said here on Friday at a ceremony hosted by Mazagon Docks to launch the Navy's third stealth frigate, INS Sahyadri.

    Later, talking to presspersons, Admiral Prakash said ageing submarines would start retiring from the service from 2012 and that the building of new ones to replace them must start now.

    He said that Pakistan had acquired and built three submarines — the French Agosta B90 submarines which have long endurance because of their air independence propulsion system. The Pakistanis are planning to build at least three more submarines and are also looking for further additions to their inventory.

    Odd man out


    Admiral Prakash said that several countries around India, including Myanmar and Thailand, were acquiring submarines and India seemed to be the odd man out.

    The delay in decision-making was causing tremendous cost overruns since the rising cost of the Euro. "Project 75" envisages the building of 24 submarines by 2025-2030. These reportedly include six French Scorpene submarines and six Russian Amur by Mazagon Docks and Larsen and Toubro.

    The project was before the Cabinet Committee on Security for two years for final approval. "One presumes that there may be a very good reason for the delay," he said.

    Admiral Prakash said that as against the Navy's need to commission six to seven ships every year to be able to maintain its force level, it was getting only two to three ships.

    He called upon the shipyards of the country to increase their production.

    He said "Sahyadri" was 22 per cent complete at the time of launching and urged the Mazagon Dock to improve the completion to 35 to 40 per cent at the time of launch.

    He called for a radical change in the work culture of the shipyard and suggested that it approached the Government for getting fresh investment for modernisation.

    The Navy chief advised the Indian shipyards to look towards financially viable exports.

    Admiral Prakash's wife, Kum Kum Prakash, performed the launching ceremony

    The 143-metre long and 16.9-metre wide warship slid into the high tide of the harbour at the press of a button, as the naval band played marching tunes.

    For three years, INS Sahyadri would be fitted with weapons and sensors for making it ready for commissioning.

    Like INS Shivalik and INS Satpura, the warship weighs 4900 tonnes and is capable of attaining a speed in excess of 30 knots. It has a stealth character that reduces its signature and makes it difficult for enemy censors to detect it.
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