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Janes Naval News Briefs 'are back'.
Submarine-launched UAVs come closer to reality
Northrop Grumman has successfully completed the first in a series of three trials of the Stealthy Affordable Capsule System (SACS), which will enable submarines to launch a range of exotic new payloads - including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) - while still submerged. This capability is primarily aimed at the converted nuclear-powered missile boats (SSGNs), but applies equally to the Los Angeles-class and future Virginia-class nuclear attack boats. [Jane’s Navy International – first posted to http://jni.janes.com – 14 February
2003]
USN successfully fires Tomahawk from MAC
The USS Florida, an US Navy (USN) Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), successfully test-fired two Tomahawk missiles from Northrop Grumman's developmental Multiple All-up rounds Canister (MAC) off the west coast of Florida on 14 January 2003 in support of the USN's SSBN-to-guided-missile-boat (SSGN) conversion programme. [Jane’s Navy International – first posted to http://jni.janes.com – 14 February 2003]
North Korea tests anti-ship cruise missiles
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK's) test launch on 24 February of two anti-ship cruise missiles is almost certainly an integral component of the Korean People's Navy's (KPN's) annual winter training. The timing of the tests, however, is sure to be seen as politically motivated and designed for maximum effect: it occurred on the eve of the inauguration of Republic of Korea (RoK) President Roh Moo-hyun; US Secretary of State Colin Powell is on a visit to the region; the DPRK's continuing nuclear weapons standoff with the UN continues; and it was shortly after the birthday of DPRK leader Kim Chong-il. [Jane’s Defence Weekly – first posted to http://jdw.janes.com – 28 February 2003]
US Navy pursues aggressive schedule for Littoral Combat Ship
The US Navy (USN) is pressing ahead with plans to develop a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), despite reservations in Congress and elsewhere about the absence of an operational requirements document or mission need statement to underpin the effort. Senior USN leaders dismiss such objections, pointing out that earlier 'transformational' programs - such as the introduction of the aircraft carrier USS Langley in the 1920s - likewise proceeded without comparable documentation. [Jane’s International Defense Review – first posted to http://idr.janes.com – 19 February 2003]
UK signs for Sting Ray torpedo upgrade
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded BAE Systems' Underwater Weapons Division a Pds441 million (US$705.5m) contract for the Sting Ray Mod 1 lightweight torpedo Main Production Order and In-Service Support (MPO/ISS). [Jane’s Navy International – first posted to http://jni.janes.com – 14 February 2003]
Submarine-launched UAVs come closer to reality
Northrop Grumman has successfully completed the first in a series of three trials of the Stealthy Affordable Capsule System (SACS), which will enable submarines to launch a range of exotic new payloads - including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) - while still submerged. This capability is primarily aimed at the converted nuclear-powered missile boats (SSGNs), but applies equally to the Los Angeles-class and future Virginia-class nuclear attack boats. [Jane’s Navy International – first posted to http://jni.janes.com – 14 February
2003]
USN successfully fires Tomahawk from MAC
The USS Florida, an US Navy (USN) Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), successfully test-fired two Tomahawk missiles from Northrop Grumman's developmental Multiple All-up rounds Canister (MAC) off the west coast of Florida on 14 January 2003 in support of the USN's SSBN-to-guided-missile-boat (SSGN) conversion programme. [Jane’s Navy International – first posted to http://jni.janes.com – 14 February 2003]
North Korea tests anti-ship cruise missiles
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK's) test launch on 24 February of two anti-ship cruise missiles is almost certainly an integral component of the Korean People's Navy's (KPN's) annual winter training. The timing of the tests, however, is sure to be seen as politically motivated and designed for maximum effect: it occurred on the eve of the inauguration of Republic of Korea (RoK) President Roh Moo-hyun; US Secretary of State Colin Powell is on a visit to the region; the DPRK's continuing nuclear weapons standoff with the UN continues; and it was shortly after the birthday of DPRK leader Kim Chong-il. [Jane’s Defence Weekly – first posted to http://jdw.janes.com – 28 February 2003]
US Navy pursues aggressive schedule for Littoral Combat Ship
The US Navy (USN) is pressing ahead with plans to develop a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), despite reservations in Congress and elsewhere about the absence of an operational requirements document or mission need statement to underpin the effort. Senior USN leaders dismiss such objections, pointing out that earlier 'transformational' programs - such as the introduction of the aircraft carrier USS Langley in the 1920s - likewise proceeded without comparable documentation. [Jane’s International Defense Review – first posted to http://idr.janes.com – 19 February 2003]
UK signs for Sting Ray torpedo upgrade
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded BAE Systems' Underwater Weapons Division a Pds441 million (US$705.5m) contract for the Sting Ray Mod 1 lightweight torpedo Main Production Order and In-Service Support (MPO/ISS). [Jane’s Navy International – first posted to http://jni.janes.com – 14 February 2003]