Northrop introduces US Navy's first MQ-4C BAMS UAS*

Northrop Grumman has introduced the first MQ-4C broad area maritime surveillance unmanned aircraft system (BAMS UAS) for the US Navy at its facility in Palmdale, California, US.

Formally named Triton, the MQ-4C BAMS UAS will provide persistent surveillance for the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Force (MPRF) to carry littoral strike missions.

Duke Dufresne, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems sector vice president and general manager for unmanned systems, said that the MQ-4C Triton UAS was a BAMS UAS programme's key element that represents the future of naval aviation and a strategic element of the US Navy.

"The BAMS UAS programme will revolutionise persistent maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance," Dufresne said.

Unmanned aviation and strike weapons programme executive officer rear admiral Bill Shannon added: "Their efforts will enable the BAMS system to provide the fleet a game-changing persistent maritime and littoral intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability."

The naval version of the US Air Force's RQ-4 Global Hawk aircraft, the MQ-4C BAMS UAS has been designed to conduct maritime surveillance, gather enemy battle information, carry out battle damage assessment and port surveillance missions.

The BAMS UAS provides reliable intelligence information about potential maritime surface threats for the military commanders to efficiently patrol a wide range of open ocean and littoral regions.

The navy is planning to buy nearly $12bn worth of MQ-4Cs, including five test aircraft, while the first MQ-4C aircraft is expected to be operational in 2015.

The programme is managed by the Navy's program executive office (unmanned aviation and strike weapons) and the persistent maritime unmanned aircraft systems program office.

The US Navy's Fifth Fleet is currently using Northrop-built Block 10 RQ-4 BAMS demonstrator, equipped with maritime sensors, which provides full persistent capabilities glimpse of the Triton's 360° multi-function active sensor (MFAS) radar.

* Notícia publicada a Naval Technology. L'endrada en servei del RQ-4 BAMS serà tot un pas endavant en matèria de vigilància marítima persistent. L'obtenció d'informació no només és cabdal per guanyar conflictes, també ho és per evitar que esclatin.

German Navy christens third Berlin-class ship*

The German Navy's third Type 702 Berlin-class combat support ship (CSS) has been formally christened Bonn (1413) at Emder Werft und Dockbetriebe.

Managed by the federal office of defence technology and procurement (BWB), the batch of the CSS is being built by a consortium of four dockyards in Fr. Lürssen Werft, Flensburger Schiffbau Gesellschaft, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Peene-Werft.

The third CSS features improved functional areas as compared to 1411 and 1412 ships and has been designed to support current operational constraints mainly in environmental protection safety.

As a central and flexible support unit, the third ship will help meet the German Navy's worldwide operational needs and also provide protection for the soldiers.

The CSS Bonn design has reduced operation and maintenance costs, creating a financial leeway for the German Navy in future.

Peene-Werft constructed the CSS Bonn hull in Wolgast, while Flensburger Schiffbau Gesellschaft designed its deckhouse in Flensburg.

Emder Werft und Dockbetriebe, subsidiary of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, had outfitted the CSS Bonn since May 2011 and the ship is scheduled for commissioning by the end of September 2012.

The German Navy currently operates two Berlin-class CSS ships CSS Berlin (1411) and CSS Frankfurt Am Main (1412), which were commissioned in 2001 and 2002 respectively.

Powered by two diesel engines, the Berlin-class frigates feature in-flight refuelling-capabilities (HIFR) and replenishment-at-sea (RAS) systems in accordance with Nato regulations.

The 173.70m-long Berlin-class vessels can carry two helicopters and are equipped with two 24t cranes and an array of 14 medium to small calibre self-defence weapons.

Capable of carrying a crew of 237, the second batch of Berlin-class vessels have a displacement capacity of 20,000t, a beam of 24m and cruising speed of 20k with 45 days of endurance period.

* Notícia publicada a Naval Tecnology. Disposar de naus logístiques per missions a llarg abanst és quelcom vital per qualsevol marina amb voluntat de projecció global. El aquest aspecte encaixa la 3a unitat de la classe Berlín.

Botadura del LHA 6 America

La primera unitat de la nova classe America, LHA 6, va ser botada el passat dilluns dia 4 de juny. Us en pengem aquí unes imatges.

70è aniversari de la Batalla de Midway

EN EL 70è ANIVERSARI DE LA BATALLA DE MIDWAY, BLAU NAVAL HONORA LA MEMÒRIA D'AQUELLS HOMES QUE, AL CEL O AL MAR, CAIGUEREN EN COMBAT.

ON THE 70th ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY, BLAU NAVAL HONOURS THE MEMORY OF THOSE MEN THAT, IN THE SKY OR ON THE SEA, FELL IN COMBAT.