NUWC Joins 401 Tech Bridge Project
The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport has joined the 401 Tech Bridge innovation initiative in the state of Rhode Island.“The Warfare Centers recognize that to be successful, whether it is on a submarine, on a ship or solving a technical challenge, you need a good team,” NUWC Division Newport Commanding Officer Capt. Mike Coughlin said. “We realize that Expanding the Advantage means reaching out beyond our Navy partners, Warfare Centers and traditional defense contractors.
Vosper Thornycroft Takes A “Bite” Out of Technology
Demonstrating a long-term commitment to its U.K. industrial base, Vosper Thornycroft is scheduled to start production next spring at a new, £40-million ($60-million) shipbuilding facility being created within the Portsmouth Naval Base. The technologically advanced, undercover yard will cut its teeth on the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer program, constructing pre-outfitted blocks of up to 700-ton steelweight for ship assembly elsewhere in the U.K. at yards controlled by BAE Systems. Described as a shipbuilding factory, in keeping with investments in state-of-the-art production machinery and a layout and logistic arrangements conducive to high productivity…
Whale-size Piece of Debris Remains a Mystery
The Intracoastal Waterway is clear and officials have begun an inquiry they hope will explain how a huge piece of debris ended up in the channel. So far, no one has been able to identify the massive, whale-shaped bundle of wood pulled from the waterway. It is suspected of damaging the cruise ship Spirit of Nantucket recently, forcing its captain to ground the vessel to prevent it from sinking. The debris measures 40 feet in length and is 7 to 8 feet tall, and is about 13 feet wide. It appears to be fashioned mostly of solid timber and has the remnants of metal plates and spikes in it. Worms have left artistic channels on its surfaces, and other marine life appears to have made it a home.
A New Chapter in Naval Shipbuilding
As a resounding endorsement of its long-term commitment to shipbuilding in the U.K., Vosper Thornycroft (VT) has created a state-of-the-art ship production facility within Portsmouth Naval Base. Having recently attained preliminary operational status through steel cutting on 295-ft. (90-m) transport barge, the 33-acre naval shipbuilding yard is set to play a key role in the construction of the Royal Navy's next generation of destroyers while extending VT's overall build capabilities and market reach. It has been some decades since Britain last saw the opening of a new yard of any significant size, and VT's initiative ensures a future for the industry in southern England.
