CHANGES IN SHIP STATUS
NORWEGIAN FRIGATE - MOST MODERN IN EUROPEAN INVENTORY OF MID-SIZED WARSHIPS
The Royal Norwegian Navy is introducing a series of five state-of-the-art frigates. To date, their Navy now has two of the new frigates in service (F-310 Nansen and F-311 Amundsen) and the final ship will be named for the modern day explorer, Thor Hyerdahl. It will be commissioned in 2009. Until all of the JVansen-class frigates are commissioned, the 40+year-old Osloclass will remain in service. The new frigates are being built in Spain at Navantia, and generally have used the Spanish Alvaro de Bazan as a rough model. They displace 5121-tons full load, and are 133.25m in length with a 16.8m beam. As with five other friendly Navies, the Nansen class employs the Aegis system tied to the Mark 41 VLS (32 cells). In addition, the new frigate is armed with eight SSMs; four torpedo tubes for the Stingray torpedo; and a 76mm OTO Breda "super" rapid-fire gun with a stealth cupola. Complementing this rather awesome weapons suite are depth charges and four Browning M2HB machine guns.
The power plant is a combination of diesel and a single GE LM2500 gas turbine capable of 26-kts. The diesel aspect is for economical cruising at 18-kts. Compared to its predecessor (Oslo class) the Nansens lean heavily to improved crew habitability. Of course, the Oslo-class was based on the early 1960s US Navy Deaiev-class ASW frigate, which was a very hard-riding ship in the North Atlantic. The Dealey class was never popular in the United States Navy, and was soon replaced. Worldwide, the trend is toward large size and heavily-armed frigates that have the latest in electronic systems that are modular and can be updated as improvements are made. Most of the frigates are nearly twice the size of a WWII destroyer.
CASH-STRAPPED RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT CANNOT DO MORE THAN KEEP ITS DECLINING FLEET FROM SINKING AT ITS MOORINGS
Less than two years ago, in front of the international Naval community, one of the Russia's most popular frigates (3430-tons full load Krivak #731 Neukrotimy) began to sink in the Neva River during an annual Naval review opposite the 1917 museum ship Aurora) in St. Petersburg, Russia. At the apex of Soviet Naval glory, there were eleven well-founded and heavily-armed missile frigates in several distinct classes - Gepard (1168.1 class); Krivak (1135 class); Krivak II & III (1135M classes); and Neustrashmy-class among others. Those that have been stricken have been due to shortages ranging from crew to parts to fuel. This problem is endemic throughout the fleet, and culminated in series of errors and lack of maintenance that had cost the life of the nuclear submarine Kursk, and caused the head of the Navy to declare that its remaining nuclear battlecruiser (Kirov-class) was a firetrap and could explode at any time. Soon thereafter, a small submarine (AS-28) became entangled in enemy submarine detection (ASW) cables off the Russian coast which required the assistance of the Royal Navy/USN to rescue the desperate submariners.
Naval bases are rampant with mafia-like gangs of corrupt Naval officers and shipyard workers who have stripped new and old ships of platinum, gold, silver and any other precious metals. Add food and medical supplies - beginning with morphine that is locked in the ships' medical offices. The corruption knows no bounds.
In order to finance repair work on existing ships, the corruption extends to the highest levels of government where Naval ministers in the Russian Naval bureaus have been selling off its larger ships to India and other nations who seek to purchase a bargain-basement fleet of surface ships, submarines and aircraft. Of course, the Russians are still hopeful that the five nuclear submarines under construction (three SSBN, one SSGN, and one SSN) will be completed before complete obsolescence sets in.
The government is also attempting to build a 100,000-ton aircraft carrier that has just emerged from the design stage. At one time, the Russian fleet was on a par with the United States Navy, but now has less than 80 major ships of all types that are seaworthy. In addition, it can only depend on two foreign bases for assistance - Vietnam and Syria. In order to remain in Vietnam at the former US Navy base at Da Nang, back rent is still due.
In less than 25-yrs, this nation has gone from the terror of the world to a broken-down collection of obsolete ships and just plain junk led by men who once would not have been qualified to wear the Naval uniform. Of course, given the overwhelming desire to regain its place as a superpower, anything is possible.
The design bureaus have not given up on putting together more powerful and destructive warships including the best in submersibles. There are still those who hold out for the day that Russian task forces again dominate the "blue waters" of the world. The Russian Navy has designed two new classes of nuclear submarines - Severodvinsk and the Yuri Dolgorukii. Both are under construction using what funds that can be scrapped together. It would be unwise to not keep a weather eye on the Russian Bear, and take anything for granted. Nazi Germany re-emerged is less than a generation - which is a lesson no Naval analyst or government leader should ignore. The right circumstances combined with the right charismatic leadership can turn defeat into victory in months.
DISASTERS/LOSSES/ SINKINGS
CRUISE SHIP NEARLY CAPSIZES
The cruise ship, MV Grand Princess nearly capsized after a severe turn to starboard. To date, there has been little explanation for the sudden 19-degree tilt which occurred on 4 February 2006 just a few hours out of its home port of Galveston, Texas.
The good seamanship of the crew brought the ship back to an even keel, but not before 27 passengers and ten crew were badly injured. The four swimming pools emptied down the stairs and into several cabins and ship's boutiques. Damage in passenger areas was considerable, and one man suffered a serious heart attack.
There was no alarm signal, although the ship was nearly at full speed, and the turn was unwarranted. Passengers could not get to their life vests. There was no time for panic; however, there was no explanation as to what was happening as well. The main dining room was flooded by pool water which then found its way into dozens of cabins. As usual, the Galveston-based US Coast Guard immediately responded and was available to assist passengers who were badly injured. The ship's medical personnel refused treatment to all except those who were seriously hurt (struck by a flying television sets). In general, most passengers regarded the incident as being the most terrifying event aboard any cruise ship.
The ship displaces 116,000-tons and is 951-ft in length with 18 decks. All decks suffered some damage. Later, it was found that another of the large Princess liners, the 88,000-ton MV Coral Princess suffered the same fate, yet with far-less damage. As ships become larger and with a consequent higher center of gravity, this type of hull behavior even on a calm day might be increasingly possible. One line is now finishing a 220,000-ton liner that will carry up to 5200 passengers. Perhaps the envelope of design has been pushed beyond what is safe. The ship's owners said little about the mishap, which was likely a combination of a human and automation failure simultaneously.
USS CURTIS WILBUR (DDG-54) RAMMED THE RUSSIAN UDALOY-1 DESTROYER, THE ADMIRAL PANTELEYEV.
The Udaloy is indeed a powerful weapons system. The Pantefeyevwas built in 1988, and carrys eight Rastrub SS-N 22 missiles and SS-N-15 Starfish ASW missiles, plus four 30mm CIWS close-in weapons systems. The Udaloy-1 is driven by a diesel and gas turbine for a top speed of 30+kt speed. The ship is 8400-tons full load and has a crew of 220-249 men. The Curtis Wilburwas being assisted to its mooring by local tugs in a "Mediterranean mooring," which is similar to a backwards parallel parking maneuver. After the collision, the Udaloy indicated that the damage was not worth reporting. The Wilbur, on the other hand was experiencing vibration in both propeller shafts. It was later determined to be fishing wire and netting from the harbor area. Soon, both ships were again battle worthy.
CHANGES IN FOREIGN NAVIES
INDIAN AIRCRAFT CARRIERS TIP THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THE REGION
The Indian Navy is building a powerful blue-water force that will eventually deploy three large aircraft carriers and nuclear attack submarines. One of the carriers is an ex-Soviet Gorshkov carrier which went into service in 1987. It was capable of 29-kts, and displaced 48,500-tons full load. It will carry a mix of modernized Mig-29 Fulcrum fighter-bombers, Sea Harriers, and ASW helicopters. A home-gown air defense carrier ( Vikrant -class) will enter fleet service in 2012, and displace 40,000-tons full load. Its air group will consist of 16 cast-off Russian fighter-bombers and a mix of helicopters. The top speed will be 28-kts with a crew of 1350 men. The Indian government actually desires to build three of these vessels, and if it achieves this, its Navy will be the most-powerful offensive force in the region. Having new "from-the-keel-up" aircraft carriers will certainly be far better than the hand-me-downs from the United Kingdom such as the 60-year-old Viraai (ex-Hermes) of 1982 Falkland War fame. The Indian Navy then will be able to box the Pakistan Navy into a corner, which may cause a nuclear confrontation.
MISCELLANEOUS
HMS CAROLINE - LAST ACTIVE COMBATANT FROM THE BATTLE OF JUTLAND
The HMS Caroline was one of six light cruisers in the "C" class built 1914-1915 for the Royal Navy. They were 3750-tons in displacement and 420-ft in length with a 41.5-ft beam. The power plant was steam turbine with oil-fired boilers. They were armed with a mix of 6-in open guns and crude 4-in weapons for anti-aircraft protection. Aside from these larger weapons, the HMS Caroline and others of the "C" class had machine guns and 2-pounders. The HMS Caroline was and has been a record breaker. She took nine-months to build, and is still an active RN warship although without engines or weapons. She fought as a unit in Light Cruiser Division 4 in the WWI Battle of Jutland, and is the last survivor ofthat clash that was to have decided the fate of nations. The ancient cruiser is the only reminder of Jutland and the days when the Royal Navy stretched around the globe
Today, she is training headquarters for the Royal Navy Reserve in Northern Ireland. Ironically, she sits opposite where the three Olympic-class ocean liners - RMS Olympic, RMS manic and the liner-turned-hospital ship, Britannic - were built and launched by Harland and Wolff Shipbuilding.
The HMS Caroline will likely be decommissioned in 2011 and moved to Portsmouth as a museum ship. Overall, the Caroline is the third oldest commissioned ship afloat - oldest is the American USS Constitution, next is HMS Victory and then the Caroline.
MARE ISLAND HISTORIC PARK
The Mare Island Historic Park located in Vallejo, California, is located on the former Mare Island Naval Station which was decommissioned several years ago. The park is extensive and not to be missed in the San Francisco Bay area. St. Peters' Chapel is world renowned for its stained glass, and Quarters A and B, which were once Shipyard and Deputy Shipyard commanders' residences are classic Victorian homes and examples of 1900s furnishings. Soon, the HTMS Nakha will be returned to Mare Island and the Museum by the Kingdom of Thailand. In pristine condition, it is the only fire-support ship remaining which provided invaluable close-in support to the Marines as they took murderous WWII beachheads. As part of the Royal Thai Navy, it has been used to thwart insurgents and terrorists. With its large number of automatic weapons, it is a mini-battleship.
USS IOWA STILL SEEKS HOME
At the time of this writing, there are many rumors about where the former USS Iowa will finally be placed. So far, none of the contestants have shown a sufficiency of funding to sustain, repair, move and dredge a channel for the giant ship to be moved to Mare Island. There has been a lot of talk, but no hard figures as to revenue or any proof of a revenue base to create a museum with the Iowa as the frontal piece. The Mare Island Historic Park has wharf space, funds and a location as well as a respected board of directors. However, its curatorial direction does not include the Iowa. It will be indeed interesting to see what happens in the next chapter of sad story of the USS Iowa. Unfortunately, this wonderful ship suffers damage every day from lack of maintenance and weathering. Too much talk laced with empty promises also hinders its salvation.
COLUMBIAN MILITARY DISCOVERS "NARCO SUBMARINES"
Two years ago, the authorities discovered a submarine-like boat capable of submerging for short periods of time, but generally running semi-submerged on diesel engines. It would have been capable of carrying up to 2-tons of heroin and/or cocaine. The transit time would be slow from its base on the Columbian coast, however, even in a semi-submersible state, it would be virtually undetectable by conventional radar and sonar. The design was similar to that used by the North Koreans when attempting to smuggle operatives into South Korea.
Unknown to the Columbian Navy, there were four other submarines under construction with the same goal - carrying massive amounts of illegal drugs to the United States. These boats have been captured and destroyed.
SWEDISH SUBMARINE DEPARTS SAN DIEGO AITER TWO YEARS OF CHALLENGING THE US NAVY'S ASW SYSTEMS
The Swedish 1494-ton submerged attack submarine Gotland was seconded to the US Navy and its ASW center in San Diego to challenge all of the methods currently in use and plan for defeating diesel submarines in the littoral. AIP is a system that operates a non-nuclear plant underwater without outside air has been in existence since the waning years of World War II in Germany. Had the Nazi U-boat force been able to produce and deploy a sufficiency of these submarines, they might have turned the tide of war.
However, a massive bombing campaign disrupted their plans as well as improvements in submarine detection. Ultimately, the AIP systems will likely supplant the nuclear power plants simply due to cost and the underwater noise generated by the steam turbine plant in a nuclear boat. The USN has studied the Swedish Gotland which is almost four-decades old, and found it to be superior in many ways to conventional ASW tactics.
The Gotland has two sisters and all carry twelve 533mm torpedoes fired from four tubes forward. It would do the US Navy well to take this threat seriously, because North Korea, China, Iran and every other third-world nation with "petro" dollars can have this technology and come after the US Navy 100,000-ton super carriers. That is a fallacy in our strategic thought processes - there are other Navy's that are just as progressive as our own, and we do not rule the waves like we once did. The Gotland surprised the American ASW teams by eluding them at every turn. The AIP system could drive the boat at 6-kts per hour for up to 14-days with the silence of a small kitchen appliance. After two years, the US Navy felt that it had learned as much as possible.
© 2007 Challenge Publications Inc. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Source: Sea Classics
