X-47B Accomplishes First Ever Carrier Touch and Go aboard CVN 77

ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 17, 2013) An X-47B unmanned combat air system (UCAS) demonstrator prepares to execute a touch and go landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). This is the first time any unmanned aircraft has completed a touch and go landing at sea. George H.W. Bush is conducting training operations in the Atlantic Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Timothy Walter/Released)

The Navy's X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator (UCAS-D) has begun touch and go landing operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) May 17.
For UCAS-D, this represents the most significant technology maturation of the program. Ship relative navigation and precision touchdown of the X-47B are critical technology elements for all future Unmanned Carrier Aviation (UCA) aircraft.
Don Blottenberger, UCAS-D Deputy Program manager, commented, "This landing, rubber hitting deck, is extremely fulfilling for the team and is the culmination of years of relative navigation development. Now, we are set to demonstrate the final pieces of the demonstration."
Earlier in the week, the UCAS-D test team and CVN 77 worked together to successfully complete the first ever launch of an unmanned aircraft from an aircraft carrier proving the importance of introducing unmanned aviation into the already powerful arsenal of aircraft squadrons.
"We are proud to be a part of another historic first for Naval Aviation. The landing was spot-on and it's impressive to witness the evolution of the Carrier Air Wing," said Capt. Brian E. Luther, Commanding Officer USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)
The various launch and landing operations of the X-47B on the flight deck of George H. W. Bush signify historic events for naval aviation history. These demonstrations display the Navy's readiness to move forward with unmanned carrier aviation operations. 
Capt. Jaime Engdahl, program manager for Unmanned Combat Air Systems program office, said, "When we operate in a very dynamic and harsh carrier environment, we need networks and communication links that have high integrity and reliability to ensure mission success and provide precise navigation and placement of an unmanned vehicle." 
"Today, we have demonstrated this with the X-47B, and we will continue to demonstrate, consistent, reliable, repeatable touch-down locations on a moving carrier flight deck," he continued. "This precision relative navigation technology is key to ensuring future unmanned systems can operate off our aircraft carriers."
The UCAS-D program plans to conduct shore-based arrested landings of the X-47B at NAS Patuxent River in the coming months before final carrier-based arrestments later in 2013. 
George H.W. Bush is currently conducting training operations in the Atlantic Ocean, strengthening the Navy's forward operating and war fighting ability.

Naval Helicopter Association Concludes Annual Symposium

The Naval Helicopter Association (NHA) concluded its annual symposium at the Town and Country Hotel in San Diego, May 16. The theme for this year's symposium was "Ready Warfighters: The Employment of Rotary Wing Strike Capabilities."
The symposium featured a number of guest speakers, industry experts and events for Naval personnel in the helicopter aviation community.
The NHA's annual symposium gave the helicopter community members a chance to discuss a wide range of professional and career issues of interest to its extensive and diverse group. It was also a forum where members worked together to discuss current issues, and identify and develop innovative solutions to future challenges facing the naval rotary-wing population.
Key dignitaries in the rotary aviation community ended the event by conducting a flag panel. 
Members of the panel included Vice Adm. Tom Copeman, commander, Naval Surface Forces; Rear Adm. Paul A. Grosklags, program executive officer for Air ASW, Assault & Special Mission Programs; Rear Adm. Kenneth Norton, commander, Naval Safety Center and Capt. Thom W. Burke, commanding officer, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76).
The panel answered questions from the rotary aviators about the future capabilities of rotary wing aircraft, future funding and training concerns. 
The symposium also gave the rotary community a chance to reunite with one another and learn about the different issues and advances the community has experienced.

FLIR Systems Announces $23 Million Order to Support the U.S. Coast Guard

PORTLAND, OR May 16, 2013 - FLIR Systems, Inc. announced today that it has received an order to support the U.S. Coast Guard valued at $23 million. The order is for the Coast Guard's Electro-Optical Sensor System (ESS) configuration of FLIR's commercially developed military qualified Talon 9-inch stabilized multi-sensor gimbal system. The ESS systems will be deployed on the Coast Guard's H-60 and H-65 helicopters.

Work under this order is expected to be performed out of FLIR's facility in Billerica, MA, with shipments expected to be completed by the end of the year.

"This order is a continuation of our longstanding support of the multiple missions of the Department of Homeland Security," said Earl Lewis, President and CEO of FLIR. "We have a proven ability to provide state of the art imaging technologies that are critical to protecting people and are developed on a commercial basis, which results in reduced delivery time and lower prices for our customers. We are pleased to be able to continue our successful relationship with the U.S. Coast Guard."

New Sail Training Vessel for Royal Navy of Oman

The Ministry of Defence in Oman has awarded Damen Shipyards Group a contract for the construction of a Sail Training Vessel (STV). The 87-metre square rigged, three-masted steel clipper and will take up her role as flagship. In addition to its key role of training young Omani navy cadets and officers, the new clipper will be deployed in a distinct diplomatic role and emphasize Oman’s centuries-old maritime tradition.
Due for delivery in August 2014, the ship will replace the RNO’s current RNOV ‘Shabab Oman’ and will be in the RNO Fleet. In March (2013) the ship’s keel laying ceremony took place at Damen Shipyards Galati (Romania). This was conducted by Rear Admiral Al Raisi, the RNO’s commander-in-chief. The RNO has an eight-strong overseeing team stationed in Romania.

The enhanced navy recruitment and training are part of Oman’s drive to increase its naval capabilities along its 3,165 kilometer coastline. Next to fleet expansion, this includes the establishment and expansion of the fleet facilities.


Three Damen yards

Overall Project management and procurement is in the hands of Damen Shipyards Gorinchem, whereas Damen Shipyards Galati forms the main building site. The clipper’s completion will be performed at Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding in Flushing (the Netherlands). Here, the three 50-metre steel/aluminum masts and the exterior woodwork will be installed, in addition to all interior wood lining furnishing and finish. Both inside and out, the sail training clipper will feature a clear, traditional Omani look and late 19th century tea clipper hull characteristics. The ship and the overseeing team are expected in Flushing for the completing stage late 2013. 

‘We have our proven record in steel clippers to thank for this contract’, Damen Regional Sales Director Bram Langeveld and Arnoud Both, the Project Manager in charge, note. The vessel’s key construction features and its dimensions will largely resemble that of the ‘Stad Amsterdam’ and the ‘Cisne Branco’, the Brazilian navy’s new Sail Training Vessel. ‘Modern-day sophisticated sail training ships may even become a bit of a trend with us and we are very proud that the Omani Ministry of Defence has awarded this prestigious contract to us’, Langeveld adds.

Dutch design and engineering

The as yet nameless three-master will accommodate 34 navy recruits in addition to a 58-strong complement. 87 meters long and 11 meters wide, it will have 2,700 m² sail area. With the main design subcontracted to Dykstra Naval Architects – who also designed the ‘Stad Amsterdam’ and the ‘Cisne Branco’ - all engineering was ‘Made by Damen’.

Coast Guard initiates Arctic Shield 2013

Rear Adm. Thomas Ostebo, commander District 17, explains Coast Guard operations in the Arctic and the distances covered by Coast Guard assets throughout Alaska to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Monday, Aug. 5, 2012, during a tour of Base Kodiak, Alaska. Napolitano toured Base Kodiak and addressed assembled Coast Guardsmen at Air Station Kodiak while on a visit to several Coast Guard units across the state. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonathan Klingenberg.

JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard 17th District announced its Arctic Shield 2013 plans to protect the maritime community in the Arctic and to strengthen their partnerships with federal, state, local, tribal and community members Wednesday.

“We are committed to having a sustained presence in the region,” said Rear Adm. Thomas Ostebo, commander, Coast Guard 17th District. “As the nation’s lead federal agency for ensuring maritime safety and security in the Arctic, we will protect our nation’s interests, safeguard the environment, and strengthen our partnerships.”

After a successful Arctic Shield 2012 operation on the North Slope and Barrow, this year, the Coast Guard will focus on Western Alaska and the Bering Strait to increase maritime domain awareness.

“The Coast Guard will have several surface assets in the region including both of its ice breakers,” said Ostebo. “The Coast Guard Cutter Healy will conduct its science missions and will partner with the Coast Guard Research and Development Center to evaluate equipment, and the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star will test the overall readiness of the icebreaker and crew.”

A National Security Cutter will also be deployed as a command and control platform that will conduct various missions to include maritime domain awareness, search and rescue, and law enforcement. “The National Security Cutter is highly efficient, can be underway for longer periods of time, and is uniquely equipped to respond to threats and events in times of crisis,” said Capt. Greg Sanial, chief of response, Coast Guard 17th District.

Another essential element to operations is the forward operating location that will be based at the Alaska National Guard hangar in Kotzebue. “In 2012, there were an estimated 480 transits through the Bering Strait,” said Sanial. “Deploying our helicopter and personnel to Kotzebue will give us an opportunity to leverage existing infrastructure and will strategically position us to conduct standard operations and effectively respond to maritime emergencies.”

"We have facilities in locations around the state to meet local, state, and federal needs in the event of emergencies or urgent contingencies,” said Major Gen. Thomas H. Katkus, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard and commissioner of the State of Alaska Department of Military & Veterans Affairs. “The Alaska National Guard's hangar in Kotzebue is a great facility that is positioned to benefit multiple users. Tremendous synergy is achieved in sharing this space with the Coast Guard. Our relationship greatly benefits the state while simultaneously providing services and safety assets that better protect and help Alaskans."

Outreach is a key component to all Coast Guard operations and engagements in Alaska. Coast Guard members including Ostebo and senior Coast Guard officials have participated in numerous discussions this year with partners to discuss the changing Arctic environment.

“We understand the importance of strong relationships with tribal and local governments and have directly engaged in more than 50 meetings to discuss subsistence, shipping, and other Arctic concerns,” said Ostebo. “We are striving to build and strengthen our relationships throughout the Arctic by participating in open dialogue, actively listening, and responding to tribal and local government concerns.”

Personnel also visited schools in Point Hope and Wainwright in February to teach children about water safety and the importance of life jackets. Keeping mariners safe on the water is also part of the protection and prevention outreach efforts. Commercial fishing vessel and boating safety exams will be conducted in the Bering Strait region to reinforce the importance of good safety practices.

To help develop and integrate the Coast Guard into existing Arctic international, federal and state policy forums, the Coast Guard hired a full-time Arctic planner to ensure Coast Guard activities are aligned more efficiently to address interests in the region.

“Our participation provides a foundation and continuity to the Coast Guard and our Arctic partners as we collectively determine a whole of systems approach to managing the challenges of increased human activity in the region,” said Ostebo. “The themes include environmental stewardship, responsible economic development, and respect for subsistence and cultural legacies.”

Operating in the Arctic will give the Coast Guard an opportunity to exercise its capabilities to ensure the organization has the right resources to conduct Arctic operations. “This year we’re going to deploy a patrol boat to test its operational capability in a new and challenging environment,” said Sanial. “Our goal is to find the right mix of resources with the right capabilities to effectively operate in an area with limited infrastructure and extreme weather challenges.”

In addition to the cutters, aircraft and personnel conducting operations and outreach, the Coast Guard will also test other capabilities. A Coast Guard buoy tender and the Canadian coast guard will test a state of Alaska emergency towing system and a vessel of opportunity skimming system to reinforce crew familiarization with the equipment and build upon the Coast Guard’s international partnership with Canada. A spill of national significance (SONS) seminar and a mass rescue workshop are also planned to identify potential opportunities for improvement in preparedness and response to a maritime emergency.

“Leveraging our partnerships will continue to be a priority for the Coast Guard as we all collectively work to protect mariners, the environment and our nation’s interests,” said Ostebo.

Navy Responds to Debate Over the Size of the SSBN Force

By Rear Adm. Richard Breckenridge
Director, Undersea Warfare, OPNAV N97

There has been a good deal of conversation recently debating the size of the Navy’s ballistic missile submarine force and need for a nuclear deterrent. Some of the information used in this reporting references SSBN patrol data available to the public that is limited in content. I’d like to take the opportunity to address some of the assertions and conclusions drawn from incomplete SSBN operational data.

The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740) returns to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay after three months at sea, March 20. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Kimber/Released)

The most fundamental purpose of the SSBN force is to deter nuclear attack against the United States and against our friends and allies. The SSBN force does this as a part of our nuclear triad with the SSBN force providing the survivable assured response. This response is delivered by ensuring the required quantity of SSBNs is loaded with the required number of warheads, hiding in the right locations at sea and connected by the right communications links. The president, National Security Council, secretary of Defense and U.S. Strategic Command establish the policies and plans that determine the required quantity of SSBNs that must be at sea.  For more than 50 years, the Navy has adapted and revised the SSBN force and its operations to meet this national requirement in the most cost-effective manner.  As a practical matter, the specifics of our SSBN operational patterns and locations are not public knowledge; this would undermine the operational security upon which a survivable deterrent must depend. Without providing operational details, here are some key points we’d like to make to shape this conversation.

We have the right number of SSBNs to provide our required sea-based deterrent.

Some contend we can reduce our SSBN force and still meet requirements. This is not true. The current force of 14 SSBNs is necessary to provide 10 operational SSBNs and support our national deterrence requirements. Our SSBN force is sized with a clear recognition of the need to sustain required at-sea deterrence even during refueling overhauls and other modernization and certifications. Reducing the force by even one operational SSBN today would gap deterrent coverage. The 2010 Nuclear Posture Review acknowledged this when it noted that only as the end of the refueling overhauls is approached in 2015 should we begin to consider the potential to reduce the SSBN force to 12 ships.

Logistics Specialist Seaman Kevin Simpson helms the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Tennessee (SSBN 734) while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 19, 2012. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Kimber/Released)

Operational SSBNs remain as fully utilized today as they have been over the last decade.

Use of data on the number of patrols and notional “typical” values for patrol length and operating cycles can be misleading. In particular, the “number of patrols” is a poor predictor of days doing the deterrence mission. It is true that since the mid-1990s, the SSBN deterrence requirement has been reduced to reflect a smaller force (14 total vice 18) and the commencement of overhauls of those 14 SSBNs (now only 10 to 12 operational SSBNs vice 18). Since those adjustments, however, the pace at which our operational SSBNs go to sea in the conduct of the deterrence mission has remained essentially constant and offers no slack.

Looking forward, the Navy needs to sustain at least 10 operational SSBNs to meet requirements.

It has been posed that the SSBN force can be reduced even more than planned because the targeting requirements will decrease in the future and the Navy could compensate for a smaller force by loading more warheads onto each missile. Strategic planners do not see things this way. The nuclear trajectory of the international community is in grave doubt, and there is every indication that U.S. deterrence will play an increasing – not decreasing role in the future. This occurs even as we reduce our SSBN-loaded missiles from more than 240 today to 160 when the last Ohio retires. There is already risk in this projection; there is no need to introduce more.

In order to sustain 10 operational SSBNs from now through the introduction of the new SSBN, we must complete refueling overhauls of all 14 Ohio SSBNs and operate the 12 newest of them to their full 42-year extended life. Doing this successfully will require extraordinary attention, careful maintenance, excellent engineering skill and dedicated, well-trained operators, and it will produce a lean SSBN force working very hard to provide the Nation with the required survivable assured nuclear response capability while doing the necessary maintenance to support obligations over the long-term.

Deploying to a Coast Guard Station Near You: the Response Boat-Small II

May 8, 2013

Coast Guard Sector San Juan, Puerto Rico, tests out one of four new Response Boat-Small (RB-S) II, delivered April 8–11. The new RB-S II gives Coast Guard operators upgraded electronics and communications, improved crew comfort to reduce fatigue, and improved visibility. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Nicholas Schellman.

Most people who encounter the Coast Guard near shore will get a good look at a Response Boat-Small (RB-S). With more than 400 boats in operation, the RB-S is the largest vessel class in the Coast Guard’s fleet. The boats are in constant use, from life-saving to law enforcement and homeland security missions. But the redoubtable RB-S is approaching the end of its service life and the the Coast Guard’s Acquisition Directorate has launched an ambitious project to replace this important asset.  The RB-S II will be one of the largest boat buys of its kind. Already the service has accepted its first delivery order of 38 RB-S II boats.

The RB-S II is roughly three feet longer than the boat it is replacing: the 25-foot Defender-class RB-S, which was put into Coast Guard service in 2002. The RB-S II cabin is more open, giving the crew better visibility when searching their surroundings, and the boat’s electronics package and communications system have seen a significantly upgrade.

“The biggest reason for the replacement of the RB-S is electronic obsolescence, meaning if the radio breaks and we want to replace it, the manufacturer no longer makes those parts, so it becomes too costly to replace,” said Lt. Cmdr. Josh Fant, manager for the RB-S project.

The first RB-S II was delivered to the Coast Guard in June 2011 for testing and evaluation. The initial delivery order of 38 boats was completed in April. Boats have been delivered to the Coast Guard Special Mission Training Center aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown, Va., Sector Baltimore, Md., Sector New Orleans, Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach, Group Humboldt Bay, Calif., Group North Bend, Ore., Sector St. Petersburg, Fla., Sector San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Sector Southeast New England, Woods Hole, Mass. A second delivery order for 25 boats was placed in August 2012, which is expected to be complete by the end of the calendar year.

RB-S II in Action

As the RB-S II hits the front lines, it is receiving favorable reviews from the operators, for its improved capabilities and the human factors engineering aspects of its design.

“The consensus at the unit is that the RB-S II is a great platform for Station Humboldt Bay,” said Master Chief Jon Gagnon, officer in charge at Station Humboldt Bay. “We took the new boat out last week with a six-foot sea and she handled very well with the seas off the bow, stern and beam. The seats really do their job well and the boat handles great for our coxswains. We like the boat and look forward to having it at the unit.”

The new boats are already making a difference operationally as well. On the morning of Jan. 18, 2013, Sector Baltimore launched Station Oxford, Md.’s RB-S II to assist a vessel near the Chesapeake Bay that had lost its steering. As the winter weather got worse, the vessel in distress began to take on water over the bow and later over the sides of the boat. The RB-S II arrived on the scene and tow the vessel to safety in 15-knot wind and three-foot seas. Sector Baltimore kept in radio contact with the vessel in distress and a commercial fishing boat and Maryland Natural Resources Police boat assisted.

RB-S II Acquisition Strategy

The RB-S II project set out to find a replacement boat that was designed as a multi-mission asset, focusing on improving maintainability and crew comfort, which decreases fatigue during operations.

To select the new RB-S II design, the Coast Guard used a phased, competitive procurement, selecting two vendor designs to compete in a down select process. Each design was tested against Coast Guard requirements and industry’s ability to deliver the requirements at a reasonable cost was verified.

On Sept. 26, 2011, the Coast Guard awarded a delivery order, valued at approximately $13 million for the production of 38 RB-S II, to MetalShark Aluminum Boats of Jeanerette, La. The contract allows for the procurement of up to 500 boats through 2019. Up to 470 boats can be delivered to shore units throughout the Coast Guard to perform port and waterway security, search and rescue, drug and migrant interdiction, environmental and other law enforcement missions. As many as 20 boats may be ordered by Customs and Border Protection and up to 10 by the U.S. Navy.

The RB-S and RB-S II are some of the most versatile boats in the Coast Guard. They are used by the Service’s Deployable Operations Groups and can be deployed by air or ground vehicles to respond to emergencies, such as Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The RB-S II cradled on a custom-made trailer recently conducted a fit-test for the HC-130J Long Range Surveillance Aircraft at Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C.

“We conducted a C-130 fit test at the acceptance of the prototype, back in July 2011, but the trailer has since been modified slightly, so we tested it again at Air Station Clearwater, Fla., in January, that was on the C-130H model, and then we did it on the C-130J model in early April in Elizabeth City,” Fant said. “Transportability in a CG C-130 was a requirement from the beginning, as we need to use organic assets to respond to a situation like Deepwater Horizon or Katrina, where you have to rapidly move boats. There are three more of these trailers being delivered in the next few months. We’re hoping to stage these trailers at all the C-130 air stations.”

The RB-S II is giving Coast Guard operators one of the most versatile, easily deployable assets in the fleet, with upgraded electronics and communication capabilities and improved crew comfort and endurance. Chances are, coastal and inland boaters will see one on patrol.