SeaWaves Naval News April 25, 2006

Washington April 20, 2006 - The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating an aviation accident that apparently took the life of legendary test pilot Scott Crossfield, the first man to fly at twice the speed of sound. He was believed to be the sole occupant of the Cessna 210A that was located today about 3.3 miles northwest of Ludville GA.

Todd Fox will serve as the Investigator-in-Charge and will be on scene this evening.

Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, Cessna Aircraft Company, and Lycoming Engines will participate in the investigation.

Crossfield's plane was last spotted on radar Wednesday in Georgia.

Lincoln Makes History in Laem Chebang, Thailand

Laem Chebang, Thailand April 21, 2006 - USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) made history April 20, mooring in Laem Chebang, Thailand, the first time any US aircraft carrier has ever done so.

Previously, carriers visiting Thailand anchored off the coast, said Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate (SW) Robert W. Dean, and used liberty launches; a lengthy and dangerous way for Sailors to go ashore here.

According to Dean, a Navy harbor pilot from Commander, Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, being pier side is a much better alternative.

"You’re giving Sailors a safer atmosphere for getting ashore," said Dean, who was specifically sent to Lincoln to assist the ship in getting into and out of Laem Chebang safely.

In the past, the liberty launch system presented a much more dangerous shore-to-ship evolution as the prevailing winds off the coast of the Pattaya Beach area tend to pick up in the evenings, said Dean. "You had to wade in to shore (from the liberty boats) in the past," he added.

Lincoln is visiting Thailand as part of a scheduled Western Pacific deployment. Sailors expect to enjoy liberty, participate in community service projects and take advantage of tours offered by Lincoln’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation division during the port visit.

Oriskany on Course for Sinking in Gulf of Mexico May 17

NAS Pensacola April 20, 2006 - A pierside press conference was held April 18 aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola to provide details of the final preparations for sinking the decommissioned aircraft carrier ex-Oriskany (CV 34).

With the rusting hulk of Oriskany as a backdrop, Capt. Lawrence Jones, Inactive Ships program manager in charge of the Oriskany project and Resolve Marine’s Vice President Denise Johnston answered questions about the sinking.

Resolve-Esco Joint Venture is the contractor for the final work necessary to prep the ship for its ultimate disposition as a reef. This includes pre-ballasting water tanks aboard to get the ship as low in the water as possible and cutting access plates between the engineering spaces to allow for natural flooding.

Weather permitting, the ship will make its final sortie May 15. It will be sunk May 17 as the largest navy vessel intentionally sunk to become an artificial reef. The proposed site for Oriskany’s final resting place is approximately 24 miles off the coast of Pensacola in 212 feet of water.

"The largest challenge is ballasting the vessel, due to the fact of her age and some of the piping systems that were cut during the remediation progress," Johnston said. "We are on target for our completion date, and we don’t anticipate any problems."

Massive anchors, each weighing 33,000 pounds, will be used in a four-point mooring system to help ensure that the ship sinks in the desired south-facing orientation.

Navy explosive demolition technicians will place small charges on the ship’s intake valves shortly before the sinking. The ship will flood from inside progressively in order to sink on an even keel.

"The plan is designed to have segregated bulkheads...so that it could go down by the bow," Jones said. "We have put everything into this to have it go down even trim, even keel. And that’s how the state wants it...to make a pleasing venue for diving."

Senior Japanese Official to visit S. Korea for Breakthrough Over Maritime Survey

Tokyo April 20, 2006 (Xinhua) - Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said on later Thursday that he is considering to send Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi to South Korea as early as Friday for talks on Japan's planned maritime survey around disputed islets.

Koizumi said the visit is aimed at finding "a resolution through amicable dialogue," and he hoped that the two sides could "talk well" and resolve the issue "through diplomatic negotiations with a level-headed manner," according to Kyodo News.

Analysts described the scheduled visit as Japan's new step of efforts to head off a confrontation with South Korea and find a breakthrough to settle the row generated by Japan's maritime survey plan.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said earlier in the day in a press conference that the two sides are "making unofficial contacts with the aim of reaching a peaceful settlement," and Japan "would like to wait and see the outcome."

According to news reaching here, Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Shotaro Oshima was summoned earlier Thursday by South Korea's Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Ban Ki Moon, who reiterated the demand that Japan immediately abandon its survey plan, and reaffirmed South Korea's resolution to take "decisive measure" and "stern responses" when necessary, referring to Japanese survey vessel's possible intrusion into the South Korean exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which is also claimed by Japan.

Kyodo said South Korean coast guard had deployed more than 18 ships, including patrol vessels, around the disputed islets, known as Dokdo in Korea and Takeshima in Japan, to block Japanese survey ships.

Two Japan Coast Guard maritime survey vessels left port in Sakaiminato, Tottori Prefecture, on the Sea of Japan coast on Wednesday afternoon, but are still on standby as of now awaiting orders to carry out their assignment of creating a hydrographic map.

Japan had initially planned to launch the survey as early as Thursday and conclude it on April 26, but is apparently putting it off in response to the South Korean protests.

The area to be surveyed lies within Japan's EEZ, but also includes an area claimed by South Korea as its territory, as the two countries have not clearly set their EEZ border, Kyodo said.

The Japanese government says the intended survey comes in response to South Korea's move to propose naming the seafloor topography of the area in question during an upcoming international conference in June.

HMAS Armidale Rescues Stranded Citizens

Canberra April 21, 2006 - HMAS Armidale, the lead ship of the Royal Australian Navy's latest generation of Patrol Boats, has come to the assistance of 17 stranded Australian and United States citizens on the remote Islands of Tofua and Kao, in Tonga, on Thursday morning.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade contacted the Navy late on Wednesday night and relayed a request from the Tongan Government for HMAS Armidale to provide assistance in locating and repatriating the stranded group. The group had been unable to leave the island of Tofua for several days due to severe weather conditions.

HMAS Armidale, already in the near vicinity, safely recovered 12 people from Tofua Island early on Thursday while a United States Peace Corps contracted vessel, Pacific Sunrise, recovered 5 people from Kao Island, then transferred them to HMAS Armidale.

The seven Australians, including three Youth Ambassadors and a volunteer from Australian Volunteers International, and ten Americans are in good health and arrived in Nuku Alofa late on Thursday night.

First Woman to Command a US Military Vessel Retires

Alameda April 20, 2006 - The first woman to ever command a military vessel in any of the Armed Forces will end her 30-year career aboard the same Coast Guard cutter on which her seagoing career began in a retirement ceremony scheduled here April 22 at 10 a.m.

Capt. Beverly G. Kelley, originally from Miami, completed Officer Candidate School in 1976, and was given command of the 95-foot Coast Guard Cutter Newagen, homeported in Maui, Hawaii, from March 1979-July 1981, a first for any woman in the Armed Forces.

"She is an extraordinary and courageous woman," said Coast Guard historian Scott Price. "Because of her dedication and professional abilities, she eased the way for all women aspiring to appointments of commands at sea."

Before her assignment to the Newagen, Kelley's first tour aboard a ship was on the CGC Morgenthau, then homeported in San Diego, as a deck watch officer, navigator and weapons officer from 1977-1979. Throughout her career, Kelley also took command of the Coast Guard cutters Northland in Portsmouth, Va., and the Boutwell, homeported here.

Kelley holds a masters degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in Newport, RI, and a masters degree in national resource management from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C. Her military decorations include, most notably, three Meritorious Service Medals; three Coast Guard Commendation Medals; and two Coast Guard Achievement Medals.

Ministry of National Defense Rebuts Reports on "No.6 Kwang Haw Missile Fast Boats"

Taipei April 3, 2006 - The Military Spokesman’s Office of the Ministry of National Defense (MND) explained today (April 3) that the Legislative Yuan’s ad hoc investigation team concluded the evaluation for a contract regarding the "No.6 Kwang Haw Missile Fast Boats" was "very insufficient and inappropriate," and it suggested that "severe penalty" should be imposed on the committee members who had been responsible for the strange and unusual evaluation as well as on the procurement supervision unit. Details are as follows:

1. The MND has, on its own, transferred this case to the prosecution authorities for investigation on October 25, 2005. Any personnel found to be involved with any illegality will be prosecuted according to the law.

2. Regarding the special report made by the media yesterday, it was understood that the case has not been reviewed by the national defense committee of the Legislative Yuan. The MND will deal first with the issue raised in the media report before all.

Elaboration on the Implementation of the Construction Case "No. 6 Kwang Hwa Missile Fast Boats"

Taipei April 4, 2006 –

1. Purpose of Implementation

In order to elevate our naval combat force and replace the Seagull-class missile fast boats, the Navy has designed the No. 6 Kwang Hwa prototype missile fast boat on 1st April, 2003, and opened the bid for 30 new-generation missile fast boats in April 2005 according to the Government Purchase Law. The three companies that submitted their tenders were China Shipbuilding, China Trust, and Chin Fu.

2. Why choose the most advantageous bid?

(1) Professionalism, vessel building quality, technical personnel, design capability, software and hardware equipment, building capacity, contract-fulfilling capability and experience would be critical to the quality of the new-generation boat. It was thus resolved at a special project meeting on 27th July 2004 that the most advantageous bid be chosen according to Article 52 of the Government Purchase Law.

(2) On 18th May 2005, the "Important Items for the Screening and Evaluation of Manufacturer Qualifications" was specified by a committee composed of civilian and military units. The items included twelve categories: "company structure," "financial management," "financial structure," "risk management and insurance plan,’ "company reputation," "contract fulfilling capability," "plant facilities," "design details," "construction management," "integrated logistics and maintenance," "price," and "company briefing."

(3) The companies were informed of the "Important Items for the Screening and Evaluation of Manufacturer Qualifications" and no objections were received from them.

3. Selection of Evaluation Committee

(1) The selection of evaluation committee members was conducted according to Article 94 of the Government Purchase Law.

(2) Eleven members were chosen, 6 civilian, and 5 from the military.

(3) Non-military members were randomly chosen from a list of scholars and experts provided by the Shipbuilding and Ocean Engineering of the Public Construction Commission, Executive Yuan.

(4) Military members were selected from those involved in this case. Thrice the number of members needed was named and they were chosen by open lottery.

4. Addressing suspicions against this Ministry

Recent media reports have implied the following:

(1) Irregular evaluation of the committee members

(2) Perfunctory fulfillment of duties by the Procurement Supervision Unit

The MND has stated that the Purchase Law regulations were followed during the bidding process. The evaluation made by each member of the committee is respected and no illegal procedures are allowed. The planning and bidding units cannot interfere in the process.

After a manufacturer filed complaint, the Procurement Supervision Unit of the MND did an investigation and concluded that there was no legal violation. The MND has transferred the case to the Ministry of Justice for investigation in October 2005, and the construction will be suspended until the end of the investigation. We strongly hope that the result of the investigation will come out as soon as possible and return back a clean space to the armed forces that will complete the construction work quickly so as to build up a reliable capability for the defense of the Taiwan Strait.

DHL & UN Launch Disaster Relief Supply Team in Singapore

New York April 21, 2006 - The international shipping company DHL, together with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs today launched a standing program based in Singapore to ensure that the right relief supplies reach people quickly in the case of a major natural disaster.

The DHL Disaster Response Team (DRT) is a pool of some 80 regular DHL employees who have volunteered and been trained to reduce bottlenecks at airports close to the scene of a major natural disaster by helping to organize the handling, warehousing and loading of relief supplies for onward transportation.

"Logistics is often the linchpin in disaster response, the make or break. Getting help to people in need is critical and for this we need a smooth supply chain," said United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland.

It is planned that the team will be deployed for a period of up to three weeks following a major natural disaster.

DHL employees provided humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, after Hurricane Katrina in the United States in the summer of 2005 and following last year's South Asian earthquake in Pakistan.

In December 2005, DHL entered into a partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and OCHA in the area of disaster management. It is the aim of DHL and OCHA to establish a global network of Disaster Response Teams, OCHA said.

"By setting up Disaster Response Teams, DHL is enhancing its commitment to support the United Nations and the international community's humanitarian work on a long-term basis," said Dr. Klaus Zumwinkel, Chairman and CEO of Deutsche Post World Net, mother company of DHL, which is providing the DRT's services as an in-kind donation.

Singapore has been chosen as the site for the South Asia DRT due to its central location in the region and its excellent telecommunications and logistics infrastructure. The next Disaster Response Team will be established in Miami, Florida, covering the Latin America and Caribbean regions, according to OCHA.

Canadian Navy Acquires SIRIUS Long Range Infrared Search and Track System

Ottawa April 21, 2006 - The Department of National Defense and the Royal Netherlands Navy have awarded a $148.5 million contract to DRS Technologies of Kanata, Ont. to supply the SIRIUS Long Range Infrared Search and Track System for installation on the Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class Frigates and the Netherlands Navy's LCF-class ships. Canada’s portion of the contract is $111.5 million.

SIRIUS is a technologically advanced passive scanning infrared sensor. Infrared is invisible radiation with a wavelength just greater than red light and is emitted particularly by heated objects. Proven in extensive trials in cold and warm water environments, SIRIUS will be used for a variety of ship missions, including search and rescue, air operations, navigation and patrol. SIRIUS also provides high-resolution, panoramic video under day and night conditions that significantly improves situational awareness against multiple threats by automatically detecting and tracking small surface targets, low flying aircraft and anti-ship missiles, which might otherwise go undetected by radar.

As a passive, non-emitting sensor, SIRIUS will be especially useful for covert surveillance. Modern and well equipped, the Halifax-class Frigates are designed to operate independently, or as part of a larger force.

"Our Navy operates all over the world, from the Arctic to the Persian Gulf. Our crews need advanced sensors and weapons to deal with the increasingly complex Post 9/11 security environment," said Vice-Admiral Drew Robertson, Chief of Maritime Staff.

"The SIRIUS Long Range Infrared Search and Track System will ensure the Halifax-class remains a formidable platform for many years into the future."

The SIRIUS system was jointly developed by Canada and the Netherlands under a bi-lateral Memorandum of Understanding, and the contract represents the results of the successful collaboration between the two nations. Under the contract, Canada is procuring 13 systems to equip all 12 Halifax-class Frigates, plus a land based combat trainer, and the Netherlands is ordering four systems for installation on their LCF-class frigates. DRS Technologies will be the prime contractor, with its industrial partner, Thales Nederlands, being the main subcontractor. System deliveries are expected to begin in early 2008 and continue through August 2011.

The contract was awarded through the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC), which has the mandate to procure on behalf of a foreign nation. The contracting activities will be carried out by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) under a tripartite DND / PWGSC / CCC Memorandum of Understanding.

Canada Supports IMO Maritime Security Activities

London April 5, 2006 - IMO's Global Technical Co-operation Program on Maritime Security has received a significant boost in the form of a grant from Canada of 500,000 Canadian dollars over two fiscal years (2006/2007). Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, through its Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Program made the grant.

The first installment of 200,000 Canadian dollars has been received by IMO and a second installment of 300,000 Canadian dollars will be made in June 2006.

The specific activities to be supported by the grant include regional seminars/workshops on maritime security for the Caribbean region and Central America, national maritime security train-the-trainer courses in the Arab States and needs assessment and advisory missions in Asia.

The grant agreement is a new form of financial support for IMO's Global Technical Co-operation Program on Maritime Security.

IMO established the International Maritime Security Trust Fund in June 2003 to respond to requests for technical assistance on maritime security issues. Contributors to the fund have included the Governments of Denmark, Egypt, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States and a training institute (the United States-based Northeast Maritime Institute). All contributions greatly assist the delivery of activities under the Global Technical Co-operation Program on Maritime Security.

The Program was initiated in January 2002 and has included many activities aimed at enhancing maritime security and in particular the implementation of the maritime security measures adopted by IMO - including SOLAS chapter XI-2 (Special measures to enhance maritime security) and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, which were adopted in 2002 and entered into force in July 2004.

Since the launching of the Program, 41 regional or sub-regional and 59 national workshops, seminars or training courses have been delivered. In addition, 32 country needs assessment and advisory missions have been fielded, with some 4,380 people having been trained in the process.

Defense Minister: Iran Tensions May Affect Russia

Minsk April 21, 2006 (Itar-Tass) - An escalation of tensions surrounding Iran may have a negative effect on Russia’s security, Vice-Premier and Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov told a press conference following a Friday meeting of the Russian and Belarussian defense departments.

"That is why Russia supports political and diplomatic settlement of the Iranian nuclear problem. Every war has a risk of going the wrong way," he said.

Seoul, Beijing Discuss Naval Hotline

Seoul April 18, 2006 - Minister of Defense Yoon Kwang-ung and his Chinese counterpart Cao Gangchuan on Monday (April 17) discussed establishing a naval hotline between the militaries of the two countries to prevent accidental armed clashes in the West Sea, the Defense Ministry said.

During a meeting at the ministry in Seoul, the two defense chiefs also discussed holding joint rescue-and-salvage operations between their navies along the West Sea border, it said.

Working-level consultations on the hotline issue have been underway since last May when Yoon visited China, ministry officials said.

The telephone hotline, which is expected to be installed in the Navy's 2nd Fleet headquarters in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, will help reduce possible tensions between the two countries in the West Sea where disputes have occasionally arisen over China's illegal fishing activities, they said.

The 24-hour hotline will also facilitate the exchange of information regarding the infiltration of any unidentified airplane or ship near the Korean Peninsula, officials added.

During a courtesy call on President Roh Moo-hyun at Cheong Wa Dae earlier in the day, Cao briefed Roh on his trip to North Korea and discussed issues of mutual concern, Cheong Wa Dae officials said.

Cao is the first Chinese defense minister to visit South Korea since 2000. An 18-member delegation is accompanying the Chinese defense chief who arrived here Saturday for a five-day visit. South Korea is the last leg of his five-nation Asian tour that also took him to Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore.

DoD Creates Defense Spectrum Organization

Washington April 21, 2006 - The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration and DoD Chief Information Officer John G. Grimes has directed the director of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) to establish the Defense Spectrum Organization as a center of excellence for radio frequency spectrum analysis, planning and support.

This new organization represents the next critical step in the Department of Defense's transformation of the management of radio frequency spectrum assets and processes.

This strategic realignment reflects DoD's ongoing effort to transform spectrum management in line with the President's Spectrum Policy Reform Initiative, which is developing a spectrum policy for the 21st century. The new office will merge and realign DISA's existing Defense Spectrum Office and Joint Spectrum Center.

"The Defense Spectrum Organization will significantly advance the department's efforts to make spectrum management information available to the warfighter anywhere, anytime," said Grimes.

This effort aims to transform the department's legacy spectrum management processes and capabilities to support an emerging net-centric environment in which radio frequency-based resources play an integral role.

Defense transformation hinges on the recognition that information is our greatest source of power. Information can be leveraged to allow decision makers at all levels to be more effective, make better decisions faster, and act sooner. Ensuring timely and trusted information is available where it is needed, when it is needed, and to those who need it most is at the heart of the capability needed to conduct network-centric operations.

More Ships to Leave James River Fleet

Washington March 22, 2006 - Two more ships are leaving the James River, headed for disposal facilities in Virginia and Maryland, in what has become a regular occurrence since the Bush Administration took over management of the nation’s ship disposal program five years ago, the US Maritime Administration announced today.

The Howard W. Gilmore is scheduled to leave the James River Reserve Fleet at Fort Eustis on Thursday, making it the 50^th ship to leave the river since January 1, 2001. It is one of the last World War II-vintage ships still at the fleet, which is good news for the ship disposal program, according to John Jamian, MARAD’s Acting Administrator.

In a news conference at the fleet site today, Jamian said, "Our disposal efforts can keep moving to newer ships, which bring better prices in the scrap steel market. That means better deals for the taxpayers—and means we can sell some of these ships rather than paying to have them recycled." In fact, the next ship set to leave is a barge, the UEB, sold to North American Ship Recycling of Sparrows Point, MD, for more than $76,000.

"Higher world prices for scrap steel, and the fact that the ships we have now are in better shape than the ones we’ve disposed of, means that we can look forward to more sales, and better bargains for the taxpayer," Jamian added. Jamian called attention to his agency’s success in removing ships from the river, with the support of the President and Congress, and internal resolve. "Two years ago, the Maritime Administrator stood here and promised that MARAD would dispose of 10 high-priority ships in the next year," said Jamian, referring to former Maritime Administrator William Schubert. "We did it," Jamian added.

MARAD maintains the James River Reserve Fleet at Fort Eustis as a reserve of ships for defense and national emergencies. When ships are no longer considered useful for defense or aid missions, MARAD arranges for their responsible disposal. The presence of deteriorated ships in the fleet has been a point of controversy in the past, and Jamian reminded reporters of promises MARAD had made and kept.

HMS Illustrious Sends Birthday Message to Her Majesty the Queen

London April 20, 2006 - The Sailors of HMS Illustrious took time out to wish Her Majesty The Queen a very Happy 80th Birthday. The Fleet Flagship and her Task Group are in the Red Sea on their way to the Indian Ocean for a four-month deployment.

The birthday message, which was spelt out on the 200m flight deck, required some 500 Sailors and Airmen, representing over half of the total Ship’s Company.

The special formation is just the first of a number of events planned by Armed Forces and MOD personnel, in celebration of the Birthday of Her Majesty, our Commander-in-Chief.

Illustrious' Commanding Officer, Captain Bob Cooling, said:

"Having hosted the Queen on board in Malta recently the ship’s company wanted to send a personal message of congratulation. We had just come out of the Suez Canal leading a powerful task group and I stood with my crew in the sweltering heat of the Red Sea for over an hour to get the right shot.

"We all hope that Her Majesty enjoys the picture, and we wish her many happy returns. Meanwhile we’ll be flying the flag proudly during our Maritime Security Operations in the Indian Ocean, aiming to make this unstable region a safer place for everyone."

HMS Illustrious is currently leading a Task Group which includes the Type 42 destroyer HMS Gloucester and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel RFA Fort Victoria, one of the Royal Navy’s most capable replenishment ships.

France has also allocated one of her most up-to-date frigates, the FS Surcouf, to the deployment as part of the ongoing co-operation between British and French military forces.

The long-planned deployment will support the international coalition in the region and contribute towards regional maritime stability. Additionally it will demonstrate Britain’s ability to deploy, operate and sustain a maritime strike force, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to the stability and security of the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean through engagement with countries in the regions.

Illustrious is leading a Task Group of Royal Navy warships, supported by a French frigate, on a deployment into the Indian Ocean to assist coalition forces in regional security operations. These will include using the aircraft carrier’s powerful air group on exercises with other national security forces in the area to improve regional stability and mutual cooperation in defeating the terrorist threat.

The Task Group is also likely to be involved in suppressing illegal activity such as piracy, drug trafficking and illegal immigration. As a clear demonstration of the UK’s commitment to peace and security in the region the Task Group is equipped to deal with any emergence from humanitarian disaster relief to combat operations.

USNS Mercy Installing New Helo Pad, Hangar

San Diego March 27, 2006 - A new temporary helicopter shelter is being installed aboard the San Diego-based hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), to improve mission readiness.

Mercy is scheduled to embark on humanitarian assistance missions to Southeast Asia this year, and is seeking a more efficient way of transporting patients and doctors to and from the vessel.

The installation of the temporary helicopter shelter, as well as the embarkation of two H-60S helicopters, allows Mercy to work faster and save money, explained Military Sealift Command's (MSC), Michael Keller, the ship’s chief mate.

"The main reason for having the helicopters on board is to embark the medical staff - doctors, nurses, corpsmen - and put them on the beach," Keller said. "The addition of assigned helicopters enhances the hospital ship's unique capability by allowing the ship to operate flexibly without support."

Keller added that once the Navy staff is on the beach, they could demonstrate various medical procedures at local facilities and ensure future medical successes long after Mercy departs.

Mercy last deployed to the South Pacific in support of Operation Unified Assistance, the humanitarian operation in the wake of the tsunami that devastated the region in December 2004.

"Mercy helped nearly 108,000 people," stated Keller. "Anything we can do to better prepare ourselves for an upcoming deployment is certainly a worthwhile project."

Mercy is one of two hospital ships in the Navy. Her sister ship, USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) is berthed in Baltimore.

ONR Supports Joint US-Taiwanese Satellite System

Washington April 17, 2006 - At 6:40 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, Friday, April 14, 2006, a constellation of six satellites launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., with the mission of improving weather forecasts, monitoring climate change, and enhancing space weather research and operations.

The Office of Naval Research is one of several partners in this joint US-Taiwanese project called the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate, or COSMIC. The satellites will spend the next 13 months conducting geodetic and gravity experiments as they move into their final mission orbits. Once in position, they will provide atmospheric data daily and in real time, over thousands of points on Earth for both research and operational weather forecasting.

COSMIC relies on a technique called radio occultation, which takes advantage of the bending effect the atmosphere has on radio waves. The COSMIC satellites will monitor radio signals from US Global Positioning System (GPS) and from the way the signals are bent by the atmosphere, will be able to determine temperature, pressure, and water vapor in the stratosphere and troposphere, as well as electron density in the ionosphere.

Temperature and water vapor profiles will help meteorologists observe, research, and forecast storm patterns over the oceans, and measurements of electron density could improve analysis and forecasting of space weather—the geomagnetic storms that can interrupt sensitive satellite and communications systems and affect power grids on the ground.

Because radio signals pierce thick cloud cover and precipitation, weather conditions will not interfere with COSMIC's data gathering, as is often the case for remote sensing platforms.

In addition to providing support for the COSMIC program and science support for algorithms related to COSMIC measurements at UCAR and the National Central University in Taiwan, explained program officer Dr. Robert McCoy, ONR sponsored COSMIC to the Department of Defense Space Test Program (STP) through the DoD Space Experiments Review Board. The STP in turn provided four million dollars to the program and helped COSMIC get a launch aboard a Minotaur rocket.

Taiwan’s National Science Council and National Space Organization provided more than $80 million for the system. The US National Science Foundation, lead agency for COSMIC science activities, and its partners provided an additional $20 million. Major partners include the National Aeronautics and Space Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, STP, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Office of Naval Research, and the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center which managed launch activities. Orbital Sciences Corporation designed the spacecraft. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory designed and produced the prototype high-performance GPS science receiver. Broad Reach Engineering built the receivers for the satellite constellation. The Naval Research Laboratory designed and built a series of ultraviolet Tiny Ionospheric Photometers (TIP) and a UHF Tri-Band Beacons (TBB) for nighttime radio tomographic sensing respectively for each satellite. The satellite constellation was assembled and tested in Taiwan.

Keeping Watch Over the Malacca Straits

Singapore April 21, 2006 - Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore signed the Malacca Straits Patrol Joint Coordinating Committee Terms of Reference (TOR) and Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) on 21 Apr.

This allows the three littoral states to work together to strengthen the security of the Malacca Straits.

In a strong show of commitment, the military chiefs of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore were present at the signing ceremony held in Batam, Indonesia.

Speaking to senior military officers from the three countries, as well as guests from the Royal Thai Armed Forces, Singapore’s Chief of Defense Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Ng Yat Chung said the Malacca Straits is a "critical and strategic waterway for world trade".

"More than 10 million barrels of crude oil are transported through the Malacca Straits and the Singapore Straits daily," said LG Ng. "And an estimated 50,000 ships sail past the region annually."

Both straits are thus a lifeline to the economies of countries in the region.

The three littoral states are involved in the Malacca Straits Sea Patrols (MSSP), where they conduct naval patrols within their own territorial waters, maintain communication links and share information.

Last year, the ‘Eyes in the Sky’ (EiS) air patrols initiative was launched to enhance the security of the straits.

The results of the MSSP and EiS are encouraging.

Since their inception, piracy has been on a decline. In the first four months of this year, there were only two reported cases of piracy attacks – a drastic decline compared to more than 30 cases two years ago.

The signing of the TOR and SOP demonstrates the strong commitment of the three littoral states in enhancing security along the Malacca Straits, as well as the excellent defense relations among their armed forces.

When asked to describe the state of defense ties among the three armed forces, the three military chiefs decided to let action speak for itself and immediately exchanged warm handshakes with each other.

"This is our defense relations in action!" they quipped.

Remarks by Chief of Defense Force LG Ng Yat Chung at the Malacca Straits Patrol (MSP) Joint Coordinating Committee Terms of References and Standard Operating Procedure Signing Ceremony

Singapore April 21, 2006 - Good afternoon, Air Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto, Commander-in-Chief, Indonesian Defense Forces, Admiral Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Mohammed Anwar bin Haji Mohammed Nor, Chief of Defense Forces, Malaysian Armed Forces, His Excellency, Admiral Yongyot, Deputy Chief of Joint Staff, Royal Thai Armed Forces, Service Chiefs from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

The Malacca Straits is a critical and strategic waterway in the global trading system. Numbers speak for themselves. Everyday, more than 10 million barrels of crude oil, and every year, more than 50 000 ships pass through the Straits. Maritime security of the Straits is therefore an important security issue not just for our region but also for the international community. No one country can deal with problems on maritime security all on its own. We need cooperative multilateral approach to address these challenges.

Last June, a broad consensus was formed around 3 principles of maritime cooperation in this region.

The first principle states that the primary responsibility for the security of Straits of Malacca lies with the littoral states: Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

The second principle is that user states and the other international community, including international agencies like the International Maritime Organization (IMO) can play useful roles and can make useful contributions in the security of the Straits

But the third principle applies. Any cooperative measures undertaken by other countries must be carried out in accordance with international law and be respectful of the sovereignty of the littoral states and done in consultation with all the littoral states.

Our efforts to safeguard the Malacca Straits in accordance to these principles are exemplified by the cooperation that we have done so far. To date, the armed forces of the three littoral states have made significant progress in cooperative arrangements to improve the security of the Straits.

The Malacca Straits Sea Patrols (MSSP) were launched in July 2004. Many of us were here. Under this arrangement, the littoral states conduct coordinated patrols while maintaining communications links and sharing information with one another. In September, the "Eyes in the Sky" (EiS) initiative was launched to supplement our security efforts in the Malacca Straits to combine maritime air patrols and collectively, the Malacca Straits Sea Patrols and "Eyes in the Sky" initiative form part of the broader framework for the Malacca Straits Patrols (MSP).

Singapore is committed to the Malacca Straits Patrols as a means by which the littoral states can operationalize the 3 principles of regional maritime security cooperation. By sharing and optimizing our respective capabilities and assets, the Malacca Straits Patrol build up our shared situation awareness, improve deterrence against threats to maritime security, and improve responsiveness to incidents at sea. Indeed, since the beginning of all these initiatives, the overall security of the Malacca Straits has improved, with significant decline in the number of piracy attacks in the Malacca Straits in the past two years. This is encouraging progress and speaks well of our continued cooperation.

We see the Malacca Straits Patrol as an open arrangement, with opportunities for the international communities to participate in an appropriate manner. With the consent of the littoral states, other states, such as Thailand, could participate when they are ready. As the international community has a stake in the stability of the Malacca Strait, we welcome appropriate international participation in this multilateral effort sometime in the future.

Above all, the Malacca Straits Patrol arrangement demonstrates the political resolve of our respective countries in meeting the security challenges in a holistic, cooperative and committed manner. Yes, we desire to be consistent with the principles of international law, with due regard to the sovereignty of respective littoral states. Singapore is committed to supporting the Malacca Straits Patrol and to be an active partner in our multilateral efforts to improve the security of the Straits.

I would take this opportunity now to thank the Indonesian host for all the logistical arrangements and hospitality shown.

Thank you.

INS Prahar Sinks After Collision off Goa

New Delhi April 22, 2006 (TOI) - A patrol vessel of the Navy sank off the coast of Goa after a collision with a merchant ship, an official release said on Saturday.

BHARAT RAKSHAK photo

INS Prahar, a 450-ton vessel, sank just after midnight following a collision with the MV Rajiv Gandhi, a container carrier of the Shipping Corporation of India, 35 km west of Goa, it said.

The collision occurred at about 9:45 PM on Friday night, the release said, adding damage to the merchant carrier was minimal and she had been anchored off the coast.

Seventy-three crewmembers of the naval ship have been rescued. Six naval and two coast guard ships, one Dornier aircraft, two naval helicopters and merchant vessels have been deployed for search and rescue operations.

The cause of the incident is yet to be ascertained and a board of enquiry has been ordered to investigate into it, the release said.

Newspaper Claims US Pressuring Turkey for Navy Bases

Ankara April 23, 2006 (MENL) - The United States was said to have requested access to air and naval bases in Turkey.

Turkish sources said the Defense Department has discussed US military access to several bases in Turkey. They said they included air and naval bases that spanned an area from Central Asia to the Mediterranean.

"The request was for temporary access and connected to the crisis with Iran," a Turkish source said.

On April 17, the Turkish daily Cumhuriyet reported that the United States has sought to establish a presence in three naval bases in Turkey. The newspaper said the United States demanded access to bases located along the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.

DoD Identifies Navy Casualty

Washington April 21, 2006 - The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Marcques J. Nettles, 22, of Beaverton, Ore., died April 2, when the truck he was riding in rolled over in a flash flood near Al Asad, Iraq. Nettles was previously listed as Duty Status - Whereabouts Unknown. His body was recovered April 16. He was assigned to 1st Combat Logistics Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Dispatch of Australian Defense Medal

Canberra April 21, 2006 - The first Australian Defense Medals were dispatched this week. The initial batch of 8,000 medals will be sent out to current and former serving members of the Australian Defense Force, the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defense, Bruce Billson, announced today.

"Following my recent announcement that Her Majesty the Queen had approved the Regulations and Letters Patent for the Australian Defense Medal (ADM), I am pleased to advise the first batch is being distributed," Mr Billson said.

"Of these, 2,000 medals will be sent to former serving members and 6,000 to current serving Defense Force members.

"The ADM announcement has received an extremely positive response from the community with more than 5,000 inquiries to the 1800 phone line being received and over 5,300 applications being lodged with Defense in the first few weeks.

"With more than one million Australians being entitled to receive the medal, it will take time to process the applications but the Australian Government, through Defense, is committed to ensuring those eligible receive this important service recognition as soon as possible," Mr Billson said.

Russian Bombers Flew Undetected Across Arctic - AF Commander

Moscow April 22, 2006 (RIA Novosti) - Russian military planes flew undetected through the US zone of the Arctic Ocean to Canada during recent military exercises, a senior Air Force commander said Saturday.

The commander of the country's long-range strategic bombers, Lieutenant General Igor Khvorov, said the US Air Force is now investigating why its military was unable to detect the Russian bombers.

"They were unable to detect the planes either with radar or visually," he said.

Khorov said that during the military exercises in April, Tu-160 Blackjack bombers and Tu-95 Bears had successfully carried out four missile launches. Bombing exercises were held using Tu-22 Blinders.

By the end of the year, two more Tu-160s will be commissioned for the long-range strategic bomber fleet, Khorov said.

Both new planes will incorporate numerous upgrades from the initial Soviet models, the commander said. The bombers will be able to launch both cruise missiles and aviation bombs, and communicate via satellite.

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F-35 Finished Structural Testing, Begins Ground Vibration Testing at Lockheed Martin

Fort Worth April 17, 2006 - The Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter team successfully completed structural-coupling testing five days ahead of schedule on the first F-35, and moved on to the next scheduled series of ground tests. The F-35's first flight is planned for this fall.

A pair of inert weapons, an advanced medium-range air-to-air missile and a Joint Direct Attack Munition, nestle in the left-side weapons bay of the first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The stores were loaded during F-35 structural testing at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas.

"All of the test results were within the expected range - an excellent indication we thoroughly understand the flight-control system and the aircraft's structural response to flight-control inputs," said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and JSF program general manager.

The testing concluded on April 2 and measured the aircraft's structural response to specific flight-control movements. "Flight controls can move very rapidly and generate very large forces that must be passed through the aircraft structure; for every action there is a reaction," said Doug Pearson, Lockheed Martin vice president of the F-35 Integrated Test Force. "Therefore, we need to know exactly how the aircraft structure reacts to a given dynamic flight-control input."

During structural coupling testing, a wide range of specific flight-control movements are initiated using the on-board aircraft flight-control system. Based on the data collected during the testing, engineers can "tune" the flight-control system to eliminate responses that could potentially damage the aircraft structure. The tuned flight-control system is transparent to the pilot and ensures that the system will be responsive to his or her demands. The test team evaluated eight different F-35 fuel- and weapons-load configurations. The aircraft's two internal weapons bays were fully loaded with inert bombs (Joint Direct Attack Munitions) and air-to-air missiles for the first time, and the weapons-bay doors were opened and closed repeatedly.

F-35 ground vibration testing started on April 11 and involves the use of shaking devices that place loads and movements on flight-control surfaces, and measure the aircraft's response.

The first round of ground tests involved a thorough checkout of the F-35's fuel system during which time no leaks were detected - a first for a modern fighter.

The stealthy F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, 5TH Generation fighter designed to replace a wide range of existing aircraft, including AV-8B Harriers, A-10s, F-16s, F/A-18 Hornets and United Kingdom Harrier GR.7s and Sea Harriers.

Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136. Each power plant produces 40,000 pounds of thrust, making the F-35 the most powerful single-engine fighter ever. Four F-35 aircraft are currently in assembly, with 15 scheduled to fly during the aircraft's test program.

Valparaiso April 6, 2006 - April 6 is an important date to ASMAR, Shipbuilding & Ship Repair Company. In 1960, by Decree Law N°321, this autonomous State-owned company with own assets was created based on the facilities developed by the Navy Arsenals at that time. The objective was to continue maintaining the units of the Chilean Navy and extend this service to the maritime community in order to use the whole capacity available and, at the same time, free the Chilean Navy budget.

The development of the Company during the last four decades has been outstanding allowing it to reach an important position within the local and international markets.

ASMAR Head Office celebrated the 46th Anniversary of the creation of ASMAR with an internal ceremony, headed by ASMAR Executive Director, Rear Admiral Heinz Pearce Poffan. After hoisting the National Flag, the message from the Commander in Chief of the Chilean Navy, Admiral Rodolfo Codina Díaz, was read. Afterwards, ASMAR Deputy Executive Director, Captain Felix Ruiz Rojas, delivered a speech where he highlighted the development of the Company from its creation and the challenges that faces today: to prepare itself to serve the future maintenance of the new surface and submarine units incorporated by the Chilean Navy; and to optimize the organizational and functional structure of the Company especially in its Talcahuano shipyard and its Head Office. He also highlighted the role of ASMAR personnel to achieve the company's goals.

Later, awards were given to the Best Worker, Mr. Carlos Retamales Gamboa, Best Collaborator to Quality, Mr. Maximiliano Fernández Brito, and ASMAR Best Award, Mrs. Ana María Montenegro Kellet.

The activities ended with a cocktail and lunch.

With an internal ceremony ASMAR Valparaiso Shipyard started ASMAR Anniversary. Captain Juan Luis Ansoleaga Bengoechea, ASMAR Valparaiso General Manager delivered a speech about the goals achievements to date and the future goals for the year, while thanking all the personnel for their effort, dedication and positive attitude in front of challenges.

In the opportunity, some workers were awarded, as follows: "Academic Improvement" to Mrs. Rosa Palma Cuevas who graduated as Industrial Technical Engineering at Federico Santa María University, Mr. Manuel Galdames Guajardo, graduated as Industrial Technician at Aconcagua University and Sergeant Daniel Torres Reyes, graduated as Technical Engineering in Industrial Control and Instrumentation. The Best Sportsman award was given to 1st Sergeant Manuel Campusano Aranguiz, the Best Collaborator to Quality to Corporal Carlos Carrasco Vargas, the Best Preventionist to Corporal Cristian Veas Ossandon and the Best Worker to Mr. José Flores Jorquera. ASMAR Best Award was given to Mr. Claudio Bernal Acevedo.

Other recreational activities were also carried out.

With a ceremony headed by the Commander in Chief of the Submarine Force, Commodore Eduardo Junge, together with ASMAR Talcahuano General Manager, Captain Kurt Sulzer, the Shipyard's Officers and the Commanders of the Second Naval Zone Divisions, ASMAR commemorated its 46th Anniversary.

As a tradition in this ceremony, the Best Workers, Sportsmen, Quality Collaborators and Preventionists received a recognition as well as 'ASMAR Best Award' that is given to a worker that excels due to his/her excellent professional attributes.

The Safety and Occupational Health Committee of the Shipyard, gave a recognition to the Maintenance Department because of their integral performance in the risk prevention area during 2005, considering the statistic results, progress of the prevention program, interest and team work.

Worker awarded this year were:

• Best Sportsmen: Abraham Ocampos Domínguez, Manuel Sepúlveda Yévenez, René Vásquez Reyes
• Best Preventionists: José Vergara Caro, Wenceslao Salgado Hernández, Gastón Tramón Millán
• Best Quality Collaborator: Víctor García Galdamez, Juan Carlos Belmar Aviles, Francisco Ortiz Riquelme
• Best Worker: Juan Carlos Zapata Huenchuleo, José Sepúlveda Valderrama, Ángela Alarcón Díaz, Margaret Rozas Flores, Iván Arévalo Urrutia
• ASMAR Best Award: Manuel Inzunza Luna

With the highest regional authorities, ASMAR 46th Anniversary Ceremony started with the arrival -at 12:15 PM- of the Deputy Intendant of the XII Chile's Administrative Region of Magellan and the Antarctica, at the southernmost shipyard in the world.

During ASMAR Magallanes General Manager's speech, he mentioned ASMAR creation and the need of the shipyard to keep up technologically. In this sense, he pointed out the effort during the year 2005 to obtain the means to ensure that works are carried out well. Also, he highlighted the new Diesel Engines Test Bank and the AVTRON Bank, the certification of the Patterns Laboratory by the INN, the implementation of test banks for pumps and electrical motors, among other investments.

At the end, he invited the authorities to a static exhibition under the idea "How we ensure that our work is well done", where technical equipment used in daily ship repair work was shown.

DHL Sets Up Disaster Response Team in Singapore

Singapore April 21, 2006 - DHL today announced the launch of its first Disaster Response Team (DRT), called the DHL DRT Asia Pacific, to be based in Singapore. DHL is a brand of Deutsche Post World Net, the world's leading express and logistics company. The DRT is the first visible product of DHL's strategic partnership with the UN System in the field of Disaster Management. The task of the DRT is to ensure that relief reaches people quickly and effectively by reducing bottlenecks at airports close to the scene of major natural disasters.

"By setting up Disaster Response Teams, DHL is enhancing its commitment to supporting the United Nations and the international community's humanitarian missions on a long-term basis," Dr. Klaus Zumwinkel, Chairman and CEO of Deutsche Post World Net pointed out. "We have already gained extensive experience in responding to recent major natural disasters."

DHL employees were actively engaged in providing humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, as well as after Hurricane Katrina in the United States in the summer of 2005 and last year's South Asian earthquake in Pakistan. In December 2005, DHL entered into a partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the area of Disaster Management. It is the aim of DHL and OCHA to establish a global network of Disaster Response Teams.

Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports and Second Minister for Trade and Industry, is the Patron of the DRT in Singapore.

"This cooperation underlines the important role that companies can play in complementing the UN's programs to benefit more people across the world," said Puji Pujiono, Regional Disaster Response Advisor for Asia, OCHA.

DHL's Disaster Response Teams will apply their professional knowledge of logistics and organize the handling, warehousing and loading of relief goods at the airport for onward transportation in an effective manner. As a result, people in need receive relief supplies quickly.

Scott Price, CEO, DHL Express Asia Pacific, said: "We are committed to sharing our core competence in logistics and our manpower in order to achieve this goal. And working with all our partners, we believe that we will be better prepared in the unfortunate event of a major natural disaster in the South Asian region."

The DHL DRT Asia Pacific consists of a pool of about 80 specially trained DHL experts, who, in addition to their normal jobs at DHL, have volunteered to take part in the DRT's humanitarian work. The teams will normally be deployed for a period of up to three weeks following a major natural disaster. By that point in time, the initial surge of international charter aircraft bringing in aid supplies has normally decreased to a manageable level for the airport authorities and their local partners to handle.

Singapore was chosen as the site for the DHL DRT Asia Pacific because of its strategic location in the region and for its excellent telecommunications, transportation and logistics infrastructure.

The next Disaster Response Team will be established in Miami. It will cover the Latin America and Caribbean regions. The Disaster Response Team's services are provided as an in-kind donation. In addition to the existing work in the field of Disaster Response, the strategic partnership between DHL and the UN System will also cover other areas of Disaster Management - such as Disaster Preparedness.

DRS Technologies Awarded $142M SIRIUS LR-IRST Contract

Parsippany NJ April 21, 2006 - DRS Technologies, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded a new $142 million contract for the production of SIRIUS Long-Range Infrared Search and Track Systems (LR-IRST) for the Canadian Navy and Royal Netherlands Navy. Jointly developed by DRS Technologies and Thales Naval Nederland, the SIRIUS LR-IRST system is designed to enhance ships’ self-defense capabilities by automatically detecting and tracking anti-ship missiles and aircraft.

The contract was awarded to DRS by the Canadian Commercial Corporation in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on behalf of the Canadian Department of National Defense and the Royal Netherlands Navy. For this award, DRS will deliver LR-IRST systems to the Canadian Navy for installation on board Halifax Class General Purpose Frigates and to the Royal Netherlands Navy for installation on De Zeven Provinciën Class Air Defense and Command Frigates.

Work for this contract will be accomplished by the company’s DRS Technologies Canada Company unit in Kanata and Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada, with Thales Nederland BV in Hengelo, the Netherlands, as a major subcontractor. System deliveries are expected to begin in March 2008 and continue through August 2011.

"The selection of DRS for this significant contract represents the culmination of a highly successful international development program, which utilized the company’s experience in advanced signal processing and Electro-optical infrared systems," said Steven T. Schorer, president of DRS’s C4I Group. "By choosing to field this new sensor system, the Canadian and Royal Netherlands navies have taken an important step toward ship self-defense by augmenting the capabilities of existing radar systems. The LR-IRST system is designed to be especially useful in the expeditionary combat domain and littorals, where the risk of asymmetric threats to navies remains high."

The SIRIUS LR-IRST system is the most technologically advanced, next-generation system of its kind with unique processing algorithms that ensure a low false alarm rate. Proven in extensive trials in cold and warm water environments, it provides continuous passive search of the horizon and also supports a number of other ship tasks, including mine countermeasures, search and rescue, air operations, navigation and patrol. SIRIUS also provides high-resolution, panoramic video in day and night conditions that significantly improves situational awareness against asymmetric threats by automatically detecting and tracking small, low flying aircraft and small surface targets, which might otherwise go undetected by radar.

Affordable Inlet Duct for Jet Fighters Developed

New York April 18, 2006 - EDO Corporation has manufactured a prototype engine-inlet duct using a low-cost VaRTM (Vacuum-assisted Resin Transfer Molding) and braiding process under the auspices of the Air Force Composite Affordability Initiative (CAI) program. The CAI program was established to dramatically reduce the cost of composite technologies in airframe structures.

The advanced-design duct features a foreshortened, compact geometry with low inlet loss. The complicated shape creates manufacturing challenges, and the objective of the process demonstration was to achieve required performance and quality with the most affordable manufacturing process.

EDO manufactured the compact duct for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company, prime contractor of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. According to Shaw Lee, Lockheed Martin’s CAI program manager, "we looked to EDO for a braided/VaRTM manufacturing approach because unit costs with this process are significantly lower than conventional methods." VaRTM is a flight-qualified, low-cost, high-quality infusion and molding process already used by EDO to produce airframe structures for the JASSM missile fuselage.

Braiding was performed over a large mandrel, segmented into 35 removable pieces to enable removal after part cure. The mandrel was braided with five layers of continuous graphite fiber, with local buildups up to eight plies thick. Braiding is an automated circular weaving process that applies tensioned fibers to the part surface. EDO used its 288-carrier braiding machine, the largest of its type in the United States. This allowed the duct to be produced with the desired fiber coverage without any gaps between yarns.

The duct design includes honeycomb core inserts to produce a stiffened duct wall. The honeycomb core is filled with closed cell foam to assure that resin will not fill the cell walls. Reinforcing keel straps were also selectively laid up into the duct structure. A high performance epoxy resin was then infused into the braided part using the VaRTM process. After the epoxy cures, the internal mandrel is removed from the molded part, one segment at a time. Stiffeners are then bonded to the duct exterior to reinforce the structure at key locations.

The finished duct assembly is currently being pressure tested and exposed to hammershock tests that simulate the pressure spike associated with an engine shock wave.

HMS Nyköping Embarks on Sea Trials

March 31, 2006 - The fourth Visby-class corvette, HMS Nyköping, has now embarked on her sea trials. There is naturally always something special about the moment when a ship casts off from the dock for the first time. Many Kockums employees, who have been working flat out right up to the very last, to ensure that everything is in place, were there to wave her off. Project Manager Kenneth Helander is satisfied, as is project veteran Karl-Erik Hallsten.

The Visby-class corvettes, which are constructed in fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) and feature full stealth capability, are named after the first of series, HMS Visby. Most of the technology has been developed in Sweden, involving broad inter-company cooperation. The Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) is principal supplier for the Visby system. The vessels are designed and built by Kockums, the command-and-control systems and some weapon systems are supplied by Saab, Bofors Defense supplies the guns, Ericsson Microwave Systems the search radar and General Dynamics (Canada) the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and mine-hunting equipment.

The Visby-class corvettes provide the Swedish Navy with enhanced endurance and multi-mission capability. They can be deployed for mine hunting, submarine warfare, surface combat, marine surveillance and marine protection, as well as support for civilian missions (such as marine accidents) and participation in international missions.

With the latest advances in technology, naval surface vessels can now enjoy the benefits that were earlier reserved for submarines in terms of stealth capability. "Stealth technology" comprises everything and anything that helps minimize signatures and signals, with a view to enhancing the effect of one’s own countermeasures and sensors while avoiding detection and identification.

These vessels are very difficult to detect with radar or other sophisticated technologies. This stealth capability also enables the vessel to adopt a much more active role than was previously possible.

The first sea trials have been completed according to plan, with good results.

ROSOBORONEXPORT Presents Russian Defense Industry at DSA 2006 in Malaysia

Moscow April 21, 2006 - From 24 till 27 April 2006 the APAC Exhibition Center in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, will host the 10th International Defense Services Asia Exhibition and Conference – DSA 2006.

The DSA exhibition ranks among the most significant and representative defense shows in Asia-Pacific region. It is a regular bi-annual event supported by the Malaysian Ministry of Defense, invariably arousing a heightened interest on the part of the world’s major manufacturers and buyers of armaments and military equipment. The exhibition showcases various types of infantry weapons, air defense, electronic warfare and communication systems, aircraft, coast guards materiel, armor and artillery, special operations weapons, naval equipment, satellites and space-based technologies, as well as dual-use products. The exhibition area occupies about 30,000-sq. m.

The DSA organizers expect more than 600 companies and organizations from over 45 countries to exhibit this year. Russia is a regular participant in the event. Russian defense enterprises will be as usual united and represented under the aegis of Rosoboronexport State Corporation in a single 500-sq.m national pavilion. The Russian exposition counts 14 stands of national defense enterprises and organizations exhibiting their military and dual-purpose products with special regard to requirements of the region’s countries. It comprises models, mock-ups, reference and promotional materials on 450 samples of armaments and military equipment intended for land forces, air defense units, air force, navy, as well as on civil-purpose conversion products. By mere numbers and diversity of high-tech exhibits brought in by the Russian defense industries one can judge dynamics and scope of military-technical cooperation of the Russian Federation with Southeast Asian countries.

In the most voluminous "Land Forces" part of Rosoboronexport’s exposition visitors will be provided with exhaustive data on combat capabilities of over two dozen samples of new and upgraded military equipment. Among them are listed the T-90S and T-72M1 main battle tanks, BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle, BTR-80/BTR-80A and BTR-90 armored personnel carriers, 152-mm and 155-mm Msta-S self-propelled howitzers, numerous samples of civil engineer equipment, as well as the GAZ-39371-221 high-mobility multi-purpose army truck.

At the Corporation’s stand the most advanced and prospective Russian development in the class of surface-to surface weapons, the Iskander-E tactical ballistic missile system, will be showcased.

The system has the following advantageous features:

• high mission-success probability in all types of combat actions at any theatre of war, by day and night, and in conditions of active anti-missile/anti-air enemy counteraction
• enhanced strike power due to the two-missiles-per-launcher arrangement
• effective engagement of a wider nomenclature of targets with modern warheads
• improved missile precision and reliability characteristics
• fast and concealed strike delivery thanks to automated combat management involving individual launchers, and missiles’ horizontal position during their pre-launch preparation
• high tactical agility and mobility of the missile system.

The 300-mm Smerch multiple rocket system (MRS) armed with a wide range of rocket projectiles is intended for use by land forces. Being the most powerful and efficient means for suppression of enemy troops and weapons at a range of up to 90 km, Smerch is in high demand in many regions of the world. Quite recently the Smerch MRS has passed successful trials in India, having confirmed its unique attack performance.

With due regard to increasing number of natural and man-caused calamities, Rosoboronexport exhibits for the first time ever a mobile field hospital (MFH), designed to provide rapid, flexible and mobile acute medical and surgical care of world-class. A full-service hospital asset is always in great demand by appropriate agencies involved in the support of disaster and humanitarian operations worldwide. Thanks to the MFH’s self-contained modular configuration based on expandable and non-expandable containers, providing the linking up of all functional units and wards via transfer passages and docking modules, the Mobile Hospital can be deployed autonomously in areas of various climatic conditions. On customer request the MFH can be equipped with first class medical facilities of both Russian and foreign origin.

The Air Defense part of the Russian exposition presents multiple short- and medium-range air defense systems, as well as various-purpose radars. Some of them embody technical solutions still unrivalled in the world that have shaped and augmented market competitiveness of Russian air defense assets. Special regional importance is attributed to the Buk-M1-2 medium-range air defense missile system (ADMS), Tunguska-M1 air defense gun-missile system, and Igla man-portable ADMS. The Buk-M1-2 is the world’s only medium-range ADMS capable of engaging not only strategic and tactical aircraft, helicopters and cruise missiles, but also tactical ballistic, anti-radiation and air-launched missiles, in the electronic countermeasures and counter-fire environment. The Buk-M1-2 ADMS also has high combat potential for engaging warheads of precision guided weapons as well as sea-surface and ground-based targets.

A new ground electronic intelligence system, the 1RL220VE station (upgraded version) classed among passive location means, is a novelty with bright export prospects. This ground-based facility is highly efficient in performing air defense and electronic warfare tasks, as well as in cooperating with state systems of early warning about airborne strikes of the potential adversary.

This ELINT system can detect AWACS/Hawk Eye-type early warning and control aircraft at ranges of 250-400 km.

While promoting a wide nomenclature of air defense assets to the region, Rosoboronexport offers their integration into combined air defense systems capable of efficiently protecting from air strikes not only pin-point targets, but also wide areas over the territory of customer-countries.

Visitors will be able to acquaint themselves with the main models of Russian Mil and Kamov-type helicopters shown in the Air Force part of the exposition. Besides Mi-17, Mi-26 and Mi-35M type helicopters, well known already in Southeast Asia, there are other models successfully operated in different regions of the world. They are, to begin with: the Ka-31 radar picket helicopter providing long-range air/surface surveillance and automatic target designation, and Ka-226 light multi-purpose helicopter quickly reconfigurable for a wide gamut of missions thanks to its modular design.

The Mi-8/Mi-17 integrated flight/ground personnel simulator will make its debut at the exhibition.

It makes no doubt that the Mi-35M combat transport helicopter, being in fact a new development of the Russian helicopter industry, will draw special attention of experts. The helicopter is capable of carrying out combat missions by day and night as its flight performance and combat capabilities are greatly augmented thanks to installation of more powerful engines, new rotor system, and modern avionics enabling round-the-clock weapons employment.

Surface ships of small and medium-displacement take up a special position in the Navy part of the exposition. These classes of ships are demanded most of all in South East Asian countries.

The exposition includes the Mirage and Mangust fast patrol craft, Molniya missile boat, Chilim and Murena air cushion ships, Amur-950 diesel-electric submarine, and Piranya-type midget submarines. These ships often surpass the best foreign counterparts in combat efficiency, seaworthiness, and reliability. And the possibility of their adaptation to various foreign-made weapons makes them even more appealing to foreign customers.

Project 14310 Mirage fast patrol craft displacing 120 tonnes is a manifest achievement of the Russian shipbuilding industry. The craft embodies unique design solutions unrivalled in the world, and boasts a potent armament, high speed and seaworthiness parameters. Application of automatically controlled interceptors in this craft helps to increase its speed by 8-10 knots in average, reduce its roll by two and more times, and pitch – by 1.2-1.5 times.

The Club-M multi-purpose coastal missile system will be brought to the exhibition for the first time, as the demand grows in the world arms market for versatile weapon systems capable of efficiently engaging not only maritime but also ground targets, including those located in enemy’s littoral zone as well as in the depth of its territory. A number of valuable tactical and technical features of the system enable its combat employment in the interests of both army and navy.

Weapons for special operations

The Russian exposition also demonstrates a wide variety of efficient firearms and ammunitions, such as the AK-101, AK-102, AK-103 and AK-104 Kalashnikov upgraded assault rifles of 5.56-mm and 7.62-mm calibers, hand-held anti-tank grenade launchers, 9-mm Bizon and SR-2 submachine guns, VSS special sniper rifle, 5.66-mm APS underwater assault rifle, 9-mm AS special assault rifle and SR3 Vikhr small-size assault rifle, as well as 7.62-mm PSS silenced pistol, special cartridges, day and night optical sights, rounds, grenades and cartridges of various purposes and destruction effects.

The Rosoboronexport State Corporation considers participation of the Russian delegation in DSA 2006 as an important stage in the continued promotion of Russian defense products to dynamically growing arms markets of South East Asia and Asia-Pacific Rim. The Russian delegation senior officials hope that consultations and talks during this exhibition will lay a base for new contracts on delivery of Russian armaments and military equipment in the region and their subsequent integration into national and collective security systems.

Smiths Aerospace Receives the Queen’s Award for Innovation

Cheltenham UK April 21, 2006 - Cheltenham, United Kingdom – Smiths Aerospace has today been honored with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2006 in Innovation for the Remote Interface Unit (RIU) product family from the Bishops Cleeve site. The RIU family of units brings a simple, modular design approach to typically complex aircraft electronics.

Dr. John Ferrie, President, Smiths Aerospace commented, "We are delighted and proud to receive the Queen’s Award. Our world leading Remote Interface Unit is the result of focused investment in technology and the dedicated efforts of our most talented people."

The Remote Interface Unit (RIU) product family is a range of units that offer incredible flexibility with the ability to digitize real world signals like voltage, current, frequency and temperature, and effectively communicate this to a large number of aircraft systems over the central nervous system of a modern aircraft - its communication network.

Benefits of the RIU product family include the way in which one design can be reused on many different aircraft and in different ways without having to start from scratch each time – saving both time and money, and minimizing development risk. This provides aircraft manufacturers with simplified aircraft electronics, lower development and unit costs, shortened development lead-times, reduced development risk, and weight (fuel) savings.

The RIU family supports the aerospace industry’s transition to Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) architectures – providing a standardized unit that can interface to multiple types of aircraft sensors, and communicate with centralized computing resources.

LLOYD’S Register Announces Plans to Move Marine Operations to Southampton

London April 21, 2006 - The Lloyd’s Register Group, the independent risk management organization, has unveiled outline plans to move its London marine operations to a specially developed site at the University of Southampton.

The move, which is planned for 2009, will see the transformation of the University’s Boldrewood Campus to accommodate a state-of-the-art building for Lloyd’s Register, a training facility jointly-owned by Lloyd’s Register and the University, and the University’s School of Management.

David Moorhouse, Chairman of Lloyd’s Register, described the plans as a major step towards creating the future shape of Lloyd’s Register: "It will parallel and complement two other technology-driven initiatives we are taking – the establishment of marine R&D facilities in China and South Korea." However, he stressed that the move would not affect the Group’s traditional links with the City of London as the corporate office and governance of the Group will remain firmly based there.

The plans build on the existing collaboration between Lloyd’s Register and the University of Southampton and will establish Southampton as a world-leading center for a broad range of marine-related research and the education of maritime professionals.

Mr Moorhouse continued: "We have chosen Southampton, after a detailed study and full consultation with our London employees, because it will enable us to align our marine R&D and management educational initiatives more closely with the world-class expertise in these areas at the University. Some of our major UK shipping clients also have offices in the area and basing our marine operations there will make it easier to recruit people with marine technical expertise.

We hope the development of the UK’s first ‘professional campus’ at Southampton will prompt other maritime companies to move to the area."

The next stage in the collaboration with the University will be to seek planning consent for the £60m development of the Boldrewood site. Lloyd’s Register and the University are confident that the proposal to replace the current building on the site with smaller, higher quality buildings is sympathetic to the concerns of the local community and will benefit a wider area.

Concluding, Mr Moorhouse commented: "We have looked hard at the future role of ship classification and have assessed how we will need to adapt and change the services we provide. The move to Southampton is a strategically important component of our response."

Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems Delivers Third Fuel Cell Submarine

Hamburg April 19, 2006 - Today, the third fuel cell propelled submarine U-33 was delivered to the German Office for Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB) at ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems’ Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) in Kiel.

It is the third out of a series of four Class 212A submarines for the German Navy built by HDW in Kiel and Nordseewerke in Emden.

The new submarine class 212A is characterized by an air-independent propulsion system using the hydrogen fuel cell. The fuel cell plant, which produces electrical energy from oxygen and hydrogen, allows the submarine to cruise under water for weeks without surfacing, whereas submarines powered by the traditional diesel-electric engine have to reload their batteries on surface every two days.

In addition, the fuel cell makes no noise and produces no give-away exhaust heat. Together with the extremely favorable signatures and the boat's detection and weapon systems, the fuel cell plant makes the submarine virtually undetectable.

U-33 was christened at HDW in 2004 on September 13th. The commissioning will take place in June 2006. The first boats – U-31 and U-32 – have been delivered in September 2005 and officially commissioned at the German submarine base in Eckernförde in October 2005.

The delivery of the last boat, U-34, is scheduled for the end of this year.

Main characteristics:

• Length overall: ca. 56 m
• Max. height: ca. 11.5 m
• Max. hull diameter: ca. 7.0 m
• Displacement: ca. 1450 tonnes
• Pressure hull: non-magnetic steel
• Integrated steering and rudder system
• Guidance and arms deployment system
• X-rudder

Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems – a company of Thyssen Krupp Technologies – is the managing division of the new shipyard alliance created from Thyssen Krupp Werften and HDW. With its major shareholdings Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft, Kiel, Nobiskrug, Rendsburg, Nordseewerke, Emden, Blohm + Voss, Hamburg, Blohm + Voss Repair, Hamburg, Kockums, Sweden and Hellenic Shipyards, Greece, the shipyard alliance is represented at seven locations in Europe.

The know-how and competence of the Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems has been summarized into three organizational units. The product sectors naval surface ships, yachts and merchant vessels are conducted by the Surface Vessel Division. The Submarine Division groups the activities of Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems in the submarine sector. All repair services will be conducted and coordinated by the Marine Service Division Hamburg.