Improvised Explosive Devices News

2019-007-Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Indian Ocean-Violence Due to Regional Conflict and PiracyDescription:This revised advisory cancels U.S. Maritime Advisory 2018-0151. References: (a) U.S. Maritime Alerts 2018-001A, 2018-002A, 2018-002B, 2018-005A, and 2018-007A2. Issues: Regional conflict and piracy threats continue to pose potential risks to commercial vessels operating in the above listed geographic areas.3. Conflict in Yemen continues to pose potential risk to U.S.

Saudi Arabia announced last week it was suspending oil shipments through the Red Sea's Bab al-Mandeb strait after Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis attacked two ships in the waterway.To date, no other exporters have followed suit. A full blockage of the strategic waterway would virtually halt shipment to Europe and the United States of about 4.8 million barrels per day of crude oil and refined petroleum products.Western allies backing a Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis in Yemen expressed concern about the attacks, but have not indicated they would take action to secure the strait.

In response to the threats arising from the conflict in Yemen, BIMCO, ICS and INTERTANKO have published interim guidance on maritime security in the southern Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb. Shipowners and operators should be aware of new threat patterns in the area. The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) have advised that a range of threats other than piracy, such as sea mines and water-borne improvised explosive devices (WBIEDs), are potential risks in the area. “We’ve been advised that these threats are real, and therefore decided to provide guidance for ships operating in the area. We have seen two incidents in January…

In response to the threats arising from the conflict in Yemen, BIMCO, ICS and INTERTANKO have published interim guidance on maritime security in the southern Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb. Shipowners and operators should be aware of new threat patterns in the area. The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) have advised that a range of threats other than piracy, such as sea mines and water-borne improvised explosive devices (WBIEDs), are potential risks in the area. “We’ve been advised that these threats are real, and therefore decided to provide guidance for ships operating in the area. We have seen two incidents in January…

The conflict in Yemen is reportedly escalating and maritime authorities continue to urge vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region to operate in a heightened state of alert. The conflict in Yemen is escalating and two missile attacks on vessels operating off the coast of Yemen have now been reported. The first attack occurred on 1 October 2016 and targeted a vessel operated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) military; the second occurred on 9 October 2016 and targeted a US Navy vessel. The most likely targets in the region are still considered to be military vessels, however, commercial vessels transiting the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait may face increased risk of collateral damage and must continue to operate in a heightened state of alert.

Designed to combat below-the-surface terrorism, Sea Wasp is the latest generation remotely operated vehicle (ROV) from defense and security company Saab. Presented at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space Exposition in National Harbor, Md., Sea Wasp has been engineered to relocate, identify and neutralize underwater improvised explosive devices (IEDs). While most underwater IED threats are disposed of manually by trained explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) divers, Sea Wasp is operated remotely by two-person teams from the surface, allowing operators to keep a safe distance from the explosives.

Bluefin Robotics has delivered new vehicles to the U.S. Navy that aim to increase the Navy's capability to remotely search and investigate ship hulls, harbor sea floors and other underwater infrastructure for limpet mines, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and other objects of interest. The Navy accepted delivery of Bluefin Robotics’ ship hull inspection systems 4 and 5 under the “Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Hull Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Localization System” (EOD HULS) Program of Record, in February.

The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation subsidiary Remotec Inc. an $8.8 million contract to repair and upgrade 103 MK3 Series Remote Ordnance Neutralizations Systems (RONS), increasing the capabilities and availability of the explosive ordnance disposal robots. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, Indian Head, Maryland, awarded Remotec a sole-source, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract (IDIQ), which has a potential value of more than $12 million if contract options are exercised.

The looming threat of small boats to national security calls into play some innovative options. Since the horrific terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 revealed a series of national security vulnerabilities, the U.S. Departments of Defense and Homeland Security have been exploring options to reduce these risks. One vulnerability that has proven difficult to address is that of an attack on U.S. assets and interests by small boats. The U.S. Air Force has recently conducted a successful test of its ability to neutralize and eliminate such a threat.

The Department of Homeland Security released its final allocations for the FY 2013 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) awarding $904,035 to the Port of Hueneme and its Port Security Stakeholders. Project stakeholders include our customers, City of Oxnard Police Department, Oxnard Firefighters, City of Port Hueneme Police Department, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Ventura County Fire Department. “This funding is a product of hard work and leveraging partnerships with government and industry leaders.

The Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) announced in its newsletter that for the first time, funds awarded under the Port Security Grant Program will be available for certain “maintenance and sustainment” costs, including warranties, costs of repairing or replacing equipment, and user fees. In the past, grants were generally restricted to capital costs only. This limitation had come under increasing criticism, as vessel operators completed capital improvements to increase security but increasingly contended with recurring operational costs of security measures. PVA successfully urged Homeland Security officials, including Secretary Janet Napolitano, to loosen past restrictions.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the release of fiscal year 2010 grant application guidance kits for 13 DHS grant programs totaling more than $2.7b—funds for state, local, tribal and territorial governments and private sector entities to strengthen our nation’s ability to prevent, protect, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies. “These grants play a major role in our efforts to work with our state, local, tribal and territorial and private sector partners to build a national culture of readiness and resilience,” said Secretary Napolitano. The grant program guidance kits announced also incorporate the input of DHS’ state…

L-3 Klein Associates, Inc. received an order from the Los Angeles Harbor Department for multiple L-3 Klein System 5500 dynamically focused Multi-Beam Side Scan Sonar Systems. Harbor and Port Security professionals with the use of dual L-3 Klein Side Scan Sonar Systems are able to identify potential underwater threats, such as Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), to commercial shipping. Captain Michael Graychik of the Los Angeles Port Police said, “We are excited to be one of the first civilian Law Enforcement agencies to use this technology.

By Lt. Cmdr. John T. The Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, John S. Thackrah, today honored 46 of the Department of the Navy's top scientists and engineers at the second annual Top Navy Scientists and Engineers of the Year award ceremony at the Pentagon, May 29. The Department of the Navy has over 35,000 scientists and engineers pursuing research, development, acquisition and sustainment. The award was established to honor those who reached superior technical achievements and to promote continued scientific and engineering excellence. "This award ceremony recognizes the top scientists and engineers in the Department of the Navy," Thackrah said.

By John J. After a wide-ranging tour of Naval District Washington (NDW) West in Dahlgren, Va., Senator John W. Warner, R-Va., told reporters at a news conference last week that the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) is transforming itself to face the present and future on many fronts by producing advanced technological products that have a crucial impact in the support and protection of deployed warfighters fighting the Global War on Terrorism. “I have seen some absolutely fascinating technology in the minds of the core of civilians and military that operate here…

WASHINGTON - Coast Guard Director of Port Security, Rear Adm. Craig E. Bone, testified today on chemical facility security before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “Considering the vast economic utility of our ports, waterways and coastal approaches, it is clear that a terrorist incident against a facility in our marine transportation system could have a disastrous impact on public safety, the environment, our nation’s economy, and international trade. Such an incident, if it were to occur in a strategic port, could also threaten our military mobilization capabilities. An incident at one of the 350 chemical…

SURABAYA, Indonesia (NNS) -- Sailors from Mobile Security Squadron (MSS) 7, Det. 72, demonstrated U.S. Navy small boat tactics to the Indonesian Navy’s Kopaska Pasukan Katak (Frogman Force) here July 22 as part of a series of events for MSS 7 and their counterparts prior to the Indonesia phase of exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT). The small boat tactics demonstration consisted of classroom lectures followed by hands-on demonstrations in two rigid hulled inflatable boats (RHIB). Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SW) Nathan Ryan and Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class (SW) Christopher White opened the classroom session with a brief on boat maneuvers, which included techniques for clearing choke points and setting security zones with small boats.

Coast Guard Director of Port Security, Rear Adm. Craig E. Bone, testified today on chemical facility security before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. His written statement submitted for the record, follows. "Good morning Madam Chairperson and distinguished members of the Committee. It is a pleasure to be here today to discuss the U.S. Coast Guard’s role in securing the chemical facilities on the navigational waterways of the United States. The men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security remain committed to improving maritime homeland security each and every day through continued interagency cooperation and assistance from our partners at the local, state and international levels, as well as maritime industry stakeholders.

According to an AP report, Griffon Corp. said the company's electronic information and communication systems unit won a $42m spare parts contract from Lockheed Martin and an $11.2m award from SRCTec Inc. Lockheed Martin Systems Integration awarded the spares contract, which is valued at more than $42m, to the radar systems division of Griffon's Telephonics Corp. The new contract includes the delivery of spare components for a multimode radar system to support the U.S. Navy's MH-60R "Sea Hawk" helicopters. The contract, which modifies a previously awarded $318m multiyear production deal, brings the total contract value to more than $361m.

The Navy recently celebrated the delivery of the 1000th Man Transportable Robotic System (MTRS) to joint service explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians around the globe during a recognition ceremony at the Naval EOD Technology Division (NAVEODTECHDIV). Developed in accordance with joint service EOD requirements over a two and a half-year period and beginning out of the ashes of the (Sept. 11, 2001) terror attacks, the MTRS program robots today are used primarily in the Global War on Terrorism to seek out and destroy improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Ellen Purdy, a director for the Joint Ground Robotics Enterprise under the Office of the Secretary of Defense, noted that five years ago, there were only three ground robots.

International Military and Government LLC (IMG), Warrenville, Ill., is being awarded $509m for firm-fixed-priced delivery order #0005 under previously awarded contract for 1,000 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Category I Low Rate Initial Production vehicles. Category I is a MRAP vehicle used by the Marine Corps and other Joint Forces for convoy operations. The MRAP vehicles are required to increase the survivability and mobility of troops operating in hazardous fire areas against known threats such as improvised explosive devices, small arms fire and mines. Work will be performed in West Point, Miss., and work is expected to be completed April 2008. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured.

The U.S. Preparedness (OHSP) Richard L. Cañas said. Another $2.7 million in port funding went to New Jersey private companies and a municipality in the two port areas. $27.3 million for the New York/New Jersey port region. grant for this port. awarded almost $4.8 million, a portion of which will be spent on security projects that will benefit New Jersey. In the Delaware Bay region made up of ports in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, Cañas said that OHSP was awarded almost $3.1 million, the largest single grant of a total of nearly $13.3 million provided to the port region. its police and fire departments and four private energy companies received a total of $242,500.

With Iraq alone costing about $8 billion a month, another infusion of funds will be needed next spring. Opinion polls show the war continues to be unpopular with voters, but even Democratic opponents of the war generally embrace the Pentagon measure, since it provides funding for body armor and other support for U.S. troops overseas. The House passed the Pentagon appropriations bill Tuesday night on a 394-22 vote, and the Senate could clear the bill for President Bush . The House-Senate compromise bill provides $378 billion for core Pentagon programs, about a 5 percent increase, though not quite as much as Bush requested. The $70 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan is a down payment on war costs the White House has estimated will hit $110 billion for the budget year beginning Oct.