HMAS NEWCASTLE SAVES DISTRESSED YACHT IN BASS STRAIT

HMAS Newcastle came to the aid of a yacht in distress off the southern NSW coast this morning. Newcastle was conducting an exercise in the area when it responded to a call for assistance from yacht Medina. The yacht had three crew members and was taking on water.

Newcastle transferred an engineering team to the yacht to assist her crew to pump water and repair damage to the hull of the vessel.

Once the situation on board was stable, Newcastle handed responsibility of the yacht to a police launch and returned to operations.

A New Zealand Air Force maritime patrol aircraft and civilian search and rescue aircraft were also involved.

Thursday, 8 March 2007

Sounds like the sort of thing you would expect to hear from a well-connected (read Air Force) source.

Run down the effectiveness of the Navy’s carriers, then start telling everyone that a combination of new aircraft and in-flight refuelling means that carriers are an anachronism and should be phased out.

Where have I heard this song before? Hmmm?

Unicorn

At moderate speeds a T class boat is about as quet as a previous generation conventional boat at about 10 knots

The newest generation of SSN’s from the USN are not yet quantified against modern SSKs (at least not enough that it has leaked out via my contacts) so I cannot comment.

I do know that a modern, latest generation SSK such as the RAN’s upgraded Collins or the latest Japanese SSK’s travelliing on batteries remain quieter than any SSN yet tested against them.

Of course, as always with these comparisons the usual disclaimers re crew quality, how long since a yard period, how well worked up the ship and crew are and the tactical situation all apply.

Unicorn

Looks like an agressor scheme, perhaps it’s a time expired bird.

Unicorn

Love your work MConrads.

While I don’t have an image of the boat you requested, I await your new work with anticipation.

Unicorn

Interesting shot of the camoflaged F18.

Unicorn

From Janes

‘Pathfinder’ drafts RN surface fleet plan

Work conducted under the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) Sustained Surface Combatant Capability (S2C2) programme has formulated a bold three-tier plan to recapitalise the bulk of the UK Royal Navy’s (RN’s) surface fleet through to 2035.

The new strategy envisages a Future Surface Combatant (FSC) capability being delivered by three distinct ship types variously optimised for high-end warfighting, stabilisation operations, and a miscellany of constabulary and minor war vessel tasks.

As well as seeking to rationalise the fleet, maximise commonality of equipment and systems, and provide industry with a steady production ‘drumbeat’, it also attempts to balance the need for high-end warfighting capabilities with the requirement to have sufficient hulls for emerging maritime security tasks.
[Jane’s Navy International – first posted to http://jni.janes.com – 02 February 2007]

Unicorn

Watch for a complete replacement of the Super Seasprites, Sea Kings and eventually the Sea Hawks with a naval version of the MRH-90s.

It won’t be perfect for all roles, but it will reduce the fleet type numbers.

The Super Seasprites will probably be sold back to Kaman for a relative pittance as part of a settlement, the Sea Kings are very long in the fang and subject to maintenance issues on a regular basis and the Sea Hawks will probably last longest (about 5-7 years) before being retired.

That leaves the Squirrels in the training role, something for which they are not long for this earth, as outlined in the accompanying media release.

FOUR* YEAR CONTRACT ANNOUNCED FOR NAVY’S SKILL RETENTION HELICOPTERS

Junior Aircrew from the Navy’s Fleet Air Arm will soon be flying three Agusta Westland A109E Multi-Engine helicopters that will be operated from the Naval Air Station at HMAS Albatross, Nowra, NSW.

Following an in-depth tender and negotiation process, Mr Michael Ward (Raytheon Australia) and CDRE Peter Jones (Commander Australian Naval Systems Command) signed a four-year $24 million contract at the Fleet Air Arm Museum on 8 December 2006 to deliver a ‘Turn Key’ style operation beginning in March 2007.

The aircraft have been sourced from overseas. Two were acquired via Agusta Westland Italy, which were previously operated by the Swedish Airforce, and the third from a civil operator in France. All three aircraft will be modified and repainted in military colours prior to acceptance by the Navy.

The A109E Power is a Single Pilot all-weather helicopter, fitted with modern avionics and a full utility fit for general rescue operations. It will be capable of conducting both day and night operations in multi-role tasks.

The Navy’s “Power Flight” will provide junior qualified aircrew, graduating from the AS350 Squirrel, with consolidation flying and skill enhancement opportunities prior to transition to operation conversion on the Seahawk, Seasprite and Sea King helicopters.

Ends

I would suspect that if the A109E Power’s end up working out, a similar arrangement will be put in place for replacing the Squirrels.

Unicorn