Improved Systems News

“DDG-51 hull form is maxed out in nearly every mission area. Meanwhile, the threat marches on.”Rear Adm. Paul Schlise, director for surface warfareThe U.S. Navy’s highly successful USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) surface combatant program is still going strong and growing in capability. Nearly 40 years later, new ships are still being built. But, the navy said, the ship cannot support the systems of tomorrow needed to meet the future threat.“DDG 51 has been in production for over 40 years with basically the same hull we started with in 1985…

An interview with Rear Admiral Ronald A. Boxall, Director, Surface Warfare (N96), conducted by Capt. Edward Lundquist, U. S. Navy (Ret.)The theme of the recent SNA West Coast Symposium was “Take a Running Fix.” So what’s your “fix” right now about where we are regarding surface warfare?The SWO Boss is thinking about that from a man/train/equip standpoint, and being able to ensure that we’re trained to the best we can, that we’re manned properly, and have the equipment we need.

To recreational boaters, Aids to Navigation (ATON) are the familiar red and green buoys (and day markers) that line our inland waterways. What they might not be aware of is that buoys have been around since the days of the Roman and Egyptian empires. In the decades following the creation of our country, buoys in every shape and color began appearing in our waterways. It wasn’t until 1850 that Congress harmonized their deployment, thereby encouraging the familiar “Red, Right, Returning” mantra.

Rolls-Royce's new chief executive aims to strip out costs and complexity, rather than selling off chunks of the business, as he seeks to return the British engine company to growth. After four profit warnings in just over a year, and with an activist shareholder pushing for change, Warren East is under pressure to outline a revival strategy after spending much of his first four months in the job in firefighting mode. "The notion that we're going to sell big chunks is just wrong," East told reporters on a call, although he did not rule out change in the longer term. U.S.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) said it has commenced its Search and Rescue (SAR) Capability Partnership Program this week with counterpart agencies in Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Mauritius. This program is being delivered as part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Government Partnerships for Development program, which provides funds to eligible Australian public sector organizations to support economic growth and poverty alleviation in developing countries in the Indian Ocean, Asia and Pacific Regions. AMSA will receive a total of $2.6 million in funding over three years to work in cooperation with the three partner countries and strengthen their national SAR services.

The Navy will christen littoral combat ship (LCS) Montgomery Nov. 8 during a ceremony at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michelle Howard, will deliver the principal address at the ceremony. Mary Sessions, wife of U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions (Alabama), will serve as the ship's sponsor. The ceremony will be highlighted by Sessions breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow to formally christen the ship, which is a time-honored Navy tradition. The selection of Montgomery honors the capital city of Alabama, and will be the second ship to bear the city's name. "As we christen the future USS Montgomery…

The Navy will christen littoral combat ship (LCS) Detroit, on Oct. 18 during a ceremony at Marinette Marine Corporation shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, will deliver the principal address at the ceremony, and Barbara Levin, wife of U.S. Senator Carl Levin (Michigan), will serve as the ship's sponsor. The ceremony will be highlighted by Levin breaking a bottle of champagne across the bow to formally christen the ship, which is a time-honored Navy tradition.

The Expert Committee announced a short list of two candidates for The Thor Heyerdahl International Maritime Environmental Award. This year the awarding ceremony takes place in Japan, host to EXPO-2005 under the theme Natur’s Wisdom. The Heyerdahl Award’s Expert Committee, lead by Terje Staalstrøm (DNV), have concluded a short list of two worthy candidates, who have demonstrated outstanding technical innovation and outstanding and proactive environmental policy and activities. Both candidates contribute to an improved global environment and to the development and implementation of new specific environmental measures. The Norwegian shipping…

The Coast Guard Cutter Bear is scheduled to return home August 15 following an historic 90-day deployment to Africa. As part of a Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) mission with the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet, the Bear visited eight countries in North Africa and the Gulf of Guinea region, some of which had never hosted a Coast Guard vessel before. While there, the cutter and its 100-person crew worked with and trained the naval and law enforcement forces of these nations to enhance multinational interoperability and to cultivate relationships for possible future training opportunities. These goals are critical elements to the United States growing commitment to help establish regional stability in Africa.

President Bush's visit with Coast Guard units in the Port of Philadelphia, Pa., in March placed a well-deserved spotlight on their critical role safeguarding the nation's maritime homeland security. Funding increases to the Coast Guard's budget over the past two years have significantly improved the service's current operational posture and readiness. At home, Coast Guard units have been working side-by-side with other agencies in the Department of Homeland Security to ensure the safety of U.S. ports, waterways, and coastal regions. Operational excellence also characterizes operations in the Coast Guard's other traditional missions. Illegal drug seizures during 2002, for example, ranked as the third largest in history.