Navy Review
World domination on the Cheap-An Age of Monsters?-International Navy News
"The worlds oceans haven’t shrunk"
Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee on the fact the US Navy has fewer ships (297) since before WW I.
Lead Story
World Domination on the Cheap
by Mike Burleson
It was once said "The Sun never sets on the British Empire". In all honesty this could be said of several colonial powers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including France and Germany. This doesn’t lessen the fact that England was once the world’s lone superpower, ruling ¼ of the earth’s surface, and 444 million people.
According to the book Empire by Niall Fergusun, at the turn of the 20th Century, British controlled territory was three times the size of its closet rival, France, and ten times that of its future opponent, Germany. Yet the armed forces totaled only .08% of the population and the defense budget was 2.5% of the national net product.
To protect its far-spanning dependencies Britain could call on an army roughly the size of the Roman Army at its height. In 1898 there was 99,000 soldiers in Britain, 75,000 in India, and 41,000 scattered around the globe, from the America’s to Asia and Africa.
The Royal Navy was perhaps the country’s most vital asset. As a rule it was twice the size of the next largest naval power. At the close of the 1900’s there were 150 naval stations covering the world’s oceans, supporting the hundreds of battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and gunboats guarding the empire.
Astonishingly between 1906-1913, English shipyards built 27 dreadnaught battleships, the capital ships of their day, at a cost of $82 million dollars. This is less than the cost of a modern guided missile frigate.
Sub Wars
Aussies "Sink" US Sub
Australia’s troubled Collins class submarines may finally have redeemed themselves. During a recent naval exercise, the HMAS Waller used dummies torpedoes to "sink" an American nuclear attack boat and an anti-submarine ship from Singapore.
Since they were launched in the 1990’s, the Collins has suffered chronic mechanical breakdowns, including noise problems and an unreliable combat system. These difficulties have yet to be remedied. This makes the current success in maneuvers even more astonishing, especially to the Americans.
"The Americans pour billions into their subs but we are better at particle applications," said the commander of the Australian submarine group.
The US submarines are designed for deep ocean operations and tracking noisy Russian boats. At present they are playing catch-up with navies like Australia who operate diesel-electric subs. Hopefully the new Virginia class will rectify this deficiency with many new weapons and sensors to combat the sleek and silent conventional boats.
Source: Herald Sun
Victoria Sails West
Canada’s west coast has received its first submarine in 30 years. HMCS Victoria, lead vessel of the Canadian Navy’s newest warship class is now apart of the Pacific Fleet.
Victoria and her 53-man crew will eventually be home-ported in British Columbia, starting in 2006. The former British sub and 3 sister ships are replacing the older Oberon class built in the 1960’s. The new ships were constructed in the 1980’s and offer Canada significant capabilities over older submarines.
Joint Submarine Project
Sweden and Denmark are participating in a bilateral project to build new submarines. The partnership will reduce development and manufacturing costs, and increase efficiency.
Called Project Viking it will eventually produce at least 6 new conventional submarines, including 2 for Sweden and 4 for Denmark. Advances such as increased endurance; improvements in surveillance, and advance sonar will be incorporated in the design.
Source: Cocks AB
Air Independent Propulsion
A future alternative for navies who can’t afford expensive nuclear submarines may be ships equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP). The idea was first developed by Russia and Germany in the 1930’s, though it didn’t become practical until World War 2 and afterwards. Development lapsed after the 1950’s when nuclear propulsion meant a submarine could stay submerged for months, depending on crew endurance. The idea languished until the Swedes revived it in the 1980’s. In the 1990’s, the German Navy tested a simpler and cheaper AIP. At the present time endurance for an AIP equipped sub is about 20 days underwater.
Despite decades of development, nuclear submarines are still less quiet than diesel-electric boats. A new American sub may cost $750 million or more, while a third world nation can obtain a new diesel for $200-$400 million. In undersea warfare it is usually the vessel that escapes detection that is finally able to win.
Source: Strategypage.com
RN Sub Better Than Ever
A fifth British Trafalgar class submarine has undergone major refit and rejoined the fleet. HMS Trenchant is undergoing sea trials and testing new weapons and sensors. New equipment includes Tomahawk cruise missiles, a new digital communications system, a new reactor, and additional stealth and quieting features.
Source: Royal Navy
Did You Know? The US Army has its own navy. With 300 vessels of various types and sizes, she competes with the US Navy, which also has about 300 ships.
Carrier Wars
Carrier Basing Questions
The commander of the US Pacific Fleet is pondering whether to base one of his powerful aircraft carriers in Pearl Harbor or Guam. With tensions rising between America and North Korea, the need for a quick reaction force closer to the region has become crucial.
"I’m looking at where I could better or best be positioned", said the admiral.
Another factor to be considered is the threat from diesel submarines. China and North Korea have acquired advanced non-nuclear subs in recent years that are extremely difficult to detect. According to the commander, following the Cold War, anti-submarine warfare in the US Navy has been allowed to languish.
Source: Newsday.com
Surface Wars
New frigates for Thailand
Thailand is increasing its defense budget from $422 million to $633 million to pay for new warships. On the list are 2 frigates from Britain, 5 patrol vessels, and new radar and armaments for its lone aircraft carrier.
Source: Bangkok Post
Did You Know? Warren Delano was a notorious Opium smuggler in the 1800’s and the grandfather of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Taiwan Will Retire Destroyers
To pay for the 4 Kidd class destroyers being purchased from the US, Taiwan is discarding older ships sooner than planned. The 7 Chien Yang destroyers were originally built during World War 2 as American Gearing class and transferred to Taiwan in the 1970’s. They have been extensively rebuilt and modernized on several occasions.
The last major upgrade was in the 1980’s when the vessels received the SM-1 Standard surface-to-air missile. Despite advanced age, many officials think the vessels to have at least 10 years of service life left.
According to the navy retiring the Chien Yang class will free up 1827 personnel. The new Kidds will require 1468 crewmembers.
Source: Taipei Times
Did You Know? In 1953, a Naval Academy graduate at great hazard to himself, helped repair a damaged nuclear reactor at Chalk River, Canada. The young officer was future submariner and President of the US Jimmy Carter.
Update on South African Corvettes
The first of 4 modern MEKO warships is headed to South Africa. SAS Amatola has been handed over to the navy by its German builders. The ultra-modern vessels have much delayed but will now be turned over in 7 ½ month intervals.
The corvettes are 121 meters long, weigh 3590 tons, and can reach speeds up to 30 knots. Maximum range is 7000 miles. Armament includes a 76mm dual preppies gun, 8 Exocet anti-ship missiles, and 16 Umkhonto surface to air missiles.
Source: News24.com
Update on Indonesia
New destroyers, submarines, and mine sweepers are on order for the Indonesian Navy, says the Jakarta newspaper. The navy needs the new ships to patrol its vast 5000-mile coastline and replace older, worn-out vessels.
According to the paper, the country will receive the ships between 2005-2011 from an undisclosed source. Included in the deal is $140 million for French made Exocet missiles.
The Indonesians currently have a fleet of 117 ships, most of which date to the 1950’s.
Source: TaiwanNews.com
Did You Know? The largest warship of WW 2, the 72,000 ton Japanese aircraft carrier Shinano, was sunk on its maiden voyage by the submarine USS Archerfish. Total loss of life was 1400 men, including her captain.
Lighter-than-air Wars
The Blimp is Back!
A 190 ft. blimp is undergoing tests by the US Office of Naval Research. The Skyship 600B Santos Dumont will conduct trials with the Littoral Airborne Sensor Hyperspectal (LASH) system, as an advanced surveillance platform.
Though dirigibles have received bad press over the years after some spectacular disasters in the 1930’s, blimps have performed successfully in Navy service. They were used to defeat Nazi U-boats during WW 2, and performed Cold War duties until replaced by the P-3 Orion plane in the 1960’s.
The navy wants the new airships for Homeland Security missions, and hopes they will cut intelligence and reconnaissance costs by 30%.
Source: US Navy
Training for War
Indian and US Navy in Exercise
The Indian Ocean’s 2 most powerful fleets are conducting annual maneuvers this month. Destroyers, reconnaissance aircraft, helicopters, and a nuclear submarine are taking part.
India and the US have conducted naval exercises in 1992, 1995, and 1996. After a 1998 nuclear bomb test by the Indians, they were suspended, then resumed after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America.
Ships participating are the USS Chosin and the USS Fitzgerald and the nuclear attack sub USS Pasadena. The Indians are deploying 2 missile frigates INS Brahmaputra and INS Shalki, along with the submarine INS Shakti.
Source: Hindustanitimes.com
Did You Know? David Bushnell’s submersible of 1776, the Turtle, had a propeller for forward motion, a conning tower for outside viewing, and ballast tanks, all standard equipment on modern submarines
Strange Sea Tales
A New Age of Monsters?
Will 2003 be the dawn of an age of monsters? This year saw an upsurge of sightings and several physical specimens of giant squid washed on the world’s beaches.
It all started in January, when a French yacht taking part in a round the world race was reportedly grasped for an hour in the clutches of a tentacled sea monster. The creature was estimated by the crew to be 8 to 9 meters (26ft.). The story was initially scoffed at, since the race happened to be for the Jules Verne sailing trophy.
Then in March, a young female giant squid, weighing 330lbs. And 5 meters (16ft.) long was caught in the nets of fishermen in Antarctic waters. This animal was studied by squid expert Steve O’Shea of the Aukland University of Technology. Its picture has appeared in numerous newspapers, magazines, and TV throughout the world.
Just last month the Spanish Navy reported an unusual flurry of giant squid sightings, including the confirmed deaths of at least 4. The navy blames shockwaves from a scientific vessel to be the cause of the monsters’ demise, though this hasn’t been confirmed.
Giant squid, also called colossal squid, are some of the most elusive of sea creatures. Over the centuries only about 250 specimens have been caught or washed up on the earth’s beaches. They can reach a length of 18 meters (60ft.) and are often find in the bellies of dissected sperm whales.
Thanks to Amos Stevens for suggesting this article.
Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee on the fact the US Navy has fewer ships (297) since before WW I.
Lead Story
World Domination on the Cheap
by Mike Burleson
It was once said "The Sun never sets on the British Empire". In all honesty this could be said of several colonial powers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including France and Germany. This doesn’t lessen the fact that England was once the world’s lone superpower, ruling ¼ of the earth’s surface, and 444 million people.
According to the book Empire by Niall Fergusun, at the turn of the 20th Century, British controlled territory was three times the size of its closet rival, France, and ten times that of its future opponent, Germany. Yet the armed forces totaled only .08% of the population and the defense budget was 2.5% of the national net product.
To protect its far-spanning dependencies Britain could call on an army roughly the size of the Roman Army at its height. In 1898 there was 99,000 soldiers in Britain, 75,000 in India, and 41,000 scattered around the globe, from the America’s to Asia and Africa.
The Royal Navy was perhaps the country’s most vital asset. As a rule it was twice the size of the next largest naval power. At the close of the 1900’s there were 150 naval stations covering the world’s oceans, supporting the hundreds of battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and gunboats guarding the empire.
Astonishingly between 1906-1913, English shipyards built 27 dreadnaught battleships, the capital ships of their day, at a cost of $82 million dollars. This is less than the cost of a modern guided missile frigate.
Sub Wars
Aussies "Sink" US Sub
Australia’s troubled Collins class submarines may finally have redeemed themselves. During a recent naval exercise, the HMAS Waller used dummies torpedoes to "sink" an American nuclear attack boat and an anti-submarine ship from Singapore.
Since they were launched in the 1990’s, the Collins has suffered chronic mechanical breakdowns, including noise problems and an unreliable combat system. These difficulties have yet to be remedied. This makes the current success in maneuvers even more astonishing, especially to the Americans.
"The Americans pour billions into their subs but we are better at particle applications," said the commander of the Australian submarine group.
The US submarines are designed for deep ocean operations and tracking noisy Russian boats. At present they are playing catch-up with navies like Australia who operate diesel-electric subs. Hopefully the new Virginia class will rectify this deficiency with many new weapons and sensors to combat the sleek and silent conventional boats.
Source: Herald Sun
Victoria Sails West
Canada’s west coast has received its first submarine in 30 years. HMCS Victoria, lead vessel of the Canadian Navy’s newest warship class is now apart of the Pacific Fleet.
Victoria and her 53-man crew will eventually be home-ported in British Columbia, starting in 2006. The former British sub and 3 sister ships are replacing the older Oberon class built in the 1960’s. The new ships were constructed in the 1980’s and offer Canada significant capabilities over older submarines.
Joint Submarine Project
Sweden and Denmark are participating in a bilateral project to build new submarines. The partnership will reduce development and manufacturing costs, and increase efficiency.
Called Project Viking it will eventually produce at least 6 new conventional submarines, including 2 for Sweden and 4 for Denmark. Advances such as increased endurance; improvements in surveillance, and advance sonar will be incorporated in the design.
Source: Cocks AB
Air Independent Propulsion
A future alternative for navies who can’t afford expensive nuclear submarines may be ships equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP). The idea was first developed by Russia and Germany in the 1930’s, though it didn’t become practical until World War 2 and afterwards. Development lapsed after the 1950’s when nuclear propulsion meant a submarine could stay submerged for months, depending on crew endurance. The idea languished until the Swedes revived it in the 1980’s. In the 1990’s, the German Navy tested a simpler and cheaper AIP. At the present time endurance for an AIP equipped sub is about 20 days underwater.
Despite decades of development, nuclear submarines are still less quiet than diesel-electric boats. A new American sub may cost $750 million or more, while a third world nation can obtain a new diesel for $200-$400 million. In undersea warfare it is usually the vessel that escapes detection that is finally able to win.
Source: Strategypage.com
RN Sub Better Than Ever
A fifth British Trafalgar class submarine has undergone major refit and rejoined the fleet. HMS Trenchant is undergoing sea trials and testing new weapons and sensors. New equipment includes Tomahawk cruise missiles, a new digital communications system, a new reactor, and additional stealth and quieting features.
Source: Royal Navy
Did You Know? The US Army has its own navy. With 300 vessels of various types and sizes, she competes with the US Navy, which also has about 300 ships.
Carrier Wars
Carrier Basing Questions
The commander of the US Pacific Fleet is pondering whether to base one of his powerful aircraft carriers in Pearl Harbor or Guam. With tensions rising between America and North Korea, the need for a quick reaction force closer to the region has become crucial.
"I’m looking at where I could better or best be positioned", said the admiral.
Another factor to be considered is the threat from diesel submarines. China and North Korea have acquired advanced non-nuclear subs in recent years that are extremely difficult to detect. According to the commander, following the Cold War, anti-submarine warfare in the US Navy has been allowed to languish.
Source: Newsday.com
Surface Wars
New frigates for Thailand
Thailand is increasing its defense budget from $422 million to $633 million to pay for new warships. On the list are 2 frigates from Britain, 5 patrol vessels, and new radar and armaments for its lone aircraft carrier.
Source: Bangkok Post
Did You Know? Warren Delano was a notorious Opium smuggler in the 1800’s and the grandfather of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Taiwan Will Retire Destroyers
To pay for the 4 Kidd class destroyers being purchased from the US, Taiwan is discarding older ships sooner than planned. The 7 Chien Yang destroyers were originally built during World War 2 as American Gearing class and transferred to Taiwan in the 1970’s. They have been extensively rebuilt and modernized on several occasions.
The last major upgrade was in the 1980’s when the vessels received the SM-1 Standard surface-to-air missile. Despite advanced age, many officials think the vessels to have at least 10 years of service life left.
According to the navy retiring the Chien Yang class will free up 1827 personnel. The new Kidds will require 1468 crewmembers.
Source: Taipei Times
Did You Know? In 1953, a Naval Academy graduate at great hazard to himself, helped repair a damaged nuclear reactor at Chalk River, Canada. The young officer was future submariner and President of the US Jimmy Carter.
Update on South African Corvettes
The first of 4 modern MEKO warships is headed to South Africa. SAS Amatola has been handed over to the navy by its German builders. The ultra-modern vessels have much delayed but will now be turned over in 7 ½ month intervals.
The corvettes are 121 meters long, weigh 3590 tons, and can reach speeds up to 30 knots. Maximum range is 7000 miles. Armament includes a 76mm dual preppies gun, 8 Exocet anti-ship missiles, and 16 Umkhonto surface to air missiles.
Source: News24.com
Update on Indonesia
New destroyers, submarines, and mine sweepers are on order for the Indonesian Navy, says the Jakarta newspaper. The navy needs the new ships to patrol its vast 5000-mile coastline and replace older, worn-out vessels.
According to the paper, the country will receive the ships between 2005-2011 from an undisclosed source. Included in the deal is $140 million for French made Exocet missiles.
The Indonesians currently have a fleet of 117 ships, most of which date to the 1950’s.
Source: TaiwanNews.com
Did You Know? The largest warship of WW 2, the 72,000 ton Japanese aircraft carrier Shinano, was sunk on its maiden voyage by the submarine USS Archerfish. Total loss of life was 1400 men, including her captain.
Lighter-than-air Wars
The Blimp is Back!
A 190 ft. blimp is undergoing tests by the US Office of Naval Research. The Skyship 600B Santos Dumont will conduct trials with the Littoral Airborne Sensor Hyperspectal (LASH) system, as an advanced surveillance platform.
Though dirigibles have received bad press over the years after some spectacular disasters in the 1930’s, blimps have performed successfully in Navy service. They were used to defeat Nazi U-boats during WW 2, and performed Cold War duties until replaced by the P-3 Orion plane in the 1960’s.
The navy wants the new airships for Homeland Security missions, and hopes they will cut intelligence and reconnaissance costs by 30%.
Source: US Navy
Training for War
Indian and US Navy in Exercise
The Indian Ocean’s 2 most powerful fleets are conducting annual maneuvers this month. Destroyers, reconnaissance aircraft, helicopters, and a nuclear submarine are taking part.
India and the US have conducted naval exercises in 1992, 1995, and 1996. After a 1998 nuclear bomb test by the Indians, they were suspended, then resumed after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America.
Ships participating are the USS Chosin and the USS Fitzgerald and the nuclear attack sub USS Pasadena. The Indians are deploying 2 missile frigates INS Brahmaputra and INS Shalki, along with the submarine INS Shakti.
Source: Hindustanitimes.com
Did You Know? David Bushnell’s submersible of 1776, the Turtle, had a propeller for forward motion, a conning tower for outside viewing, and ballast tanks, all standard equipment on modern submarines
Strange Sea Tales
A New Age of Monsters?
Will 2003 be the dawn of an age of monsters? This year saw an upsurge of sightings and several physical specimens of giant squid washed on the world’s beaches.
It all started in January, when a French yacht taking part in a round the world race was reportedly grasped for an hour in the clutches of a tentacled sea monster. The creature was estimated by the crew to be 8 to 9 meters (26ft.). The story was initially scoffed at, since the race happened to be for the Jules Verne sailing trophy.
Then in March, a young female giant squid, weighing 330lbs. And 5 meters (16ft.) long was caught in the nets of fishermen in Antarctic waters. This animal was studied by squid expert Steve O’Shea of the Aukland University of Technology. Its picture has appeared in numerous newspapers, magazines, and TV throughout the world.
Just last month the Spanish Navy reported an unusual flurry of giant squid sightings, including the confirmed deaths of at least 4. The navy blames shockwaves from a scientific vessel to be the cause of the monsters’ demise, though this hasn’t been confirmed.
Giant squid, also called colossal squid, are some of the most elusive of sea creatures. Over the centuries only about 250 specimens have been caught or washed up on the earth’s beaches. They can reach a length of 18 meters (60ft.) and are often find in the bellies of dissected sperm whales.
Thanks to Amos Stevens for suggesting this article.
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