US military news thread

[Jeff Head]

Virginia-class attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782) Commissioned


[I]ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 7, 2012) The Virginia-class attack submarine Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Mississippi (SSN 782) conducts alpha trials in the Atlantic Ocean.

That makes number nine of these very, very effective and capable nuclear attack submarines. Two more currently building, with a lot more on the way thereafter. Like the LA Class SSNs they are replacing, they will be the silent hunters and guardiansof the deep for decades to come.

THE VIRGINIA CLASS SUBMARIES

[navyreco]

US Navy's Third Littoral Combat Ship Delivered Two Months Early

MARINETTE, Wis., June 6, 2012 – The Lockheed Martin-led industry team delivered the nation’s third Littoral Combat Ship, Fort Worth (LCS 3), to the U.S. Navy two months ahead of schedule.

The delivery followed the ship’s successful Acceptance Trials on Lake Michigan in May.

“By delivering Fort Worth early and performing so successfully at Acceptance Trials, this team has reached milestones rarely seen this early in a new ship class,” said U.S. Navy LCS Program Manager Rear Admiral (Select) John Neagley.

[Jeff Head]

Did not see this here. But Ingalls Shipbuilding launched the USS America, LHA-6 on June 5th. She's a new large Amphibious assault vessel at 45,000 tons which has extensive Sea Cpntrol aircraft carrier capability to augment US Super Carrierwhen necessary, and to conduct massive OTH Marine assault when not. Great vessel. Here is a video of the lunch.



Now, LHA-7, USS Tripoli will start building, another version just like the America. After that, the next 3-4 in class will have well decks.

[bd popeye]

Now, LHA-7, USS Tripoli will start building, another version just like the America. After that, the next 3-4 in class will have well decks.

Jeff, are you sure about that..All I've ever read is that 3 America class will be built. Can you elaborate?

[Jeff Head]

Jeff, are you sure about that..All I've ever read is that 3 America class will be built. Can you elaborate?

As of March 11, 2011, at a presentation to the House Armed Services Committee by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy and the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations on Amphibious Operations, theplan did call for LHA-6 and LHA-7 to be aviation centric and beginning with LHA-8 for the America class to revert back to well decks. They only speak of LHA-8 in that presentation.

Presentatoion in March 2011 to the House Armed Setrvices Committee on Amphibious Operations

LHA-6 USS America has now been launched and will be commissioned in 2013. LHA-7 is not expected to be commissioned until 2017. By the time LHA-8 is delivered (estimated to be 2021-2022) the USS Wasp will be approaching its end of life, having been launched in 1987, 35 years ealrier. So, analysts and others are already expecting that future America class ships beyond LHA-8 will be built to begin replacing Wasp Class vessels with the newer America design.

Since the Wasp class vessels were launched over a 20 year time frame (1987-2006) is is expected that the America class will go through a similar cycle (which would be 2012-2032) and in fact also serve (with the well deck design) as replacements for the Wasp class when they reach their end of life.

Right now we only have 9 large deck amphibs with the eight Wasps and the final Tarawa which is scheduled to be replaced by the America. So, once the LHA-7 comes on line we will have ten, and it is expected that we will cap out at 11 with the LHA-8 (as yet unnamed). But after that, we are right up on the initial Wasp Class replacement need and more America class are expected to be built to meet that need and maintain an eleven vessel capability...at least those are the current plans. The only way to do that is either more America's with well decks, or a completely new design which I doubt will happen with the America still being a relatively new design.

Anyhow, that's my reasoning.

[Scratch]

... the plan did call for LHA-6 and LHA-7 to be aviation centric ...

Jeff, just out of curiosity, what does "aviation centric" really mean in that context? No well decks means no LCACs, I'm sure. Will there still be marines and light equipment on board to be airlifted by transport Helos / Ospreys, or is it a platform really primarily carrying attack assets like JSF/Vipers with only a small marine ship security detail, if at all?
Anyway, that would leave a complete LHA to focus on the CAS role in a landing, while another "traditional" LHA can focus even more on the troop transport role. And a CVN can do strikes as necessary.

[Schumacher]

Suicides surging in the US military.

Surge in suicides among US soldiers - Americas - Al Jazeera English

"Suicides are surging among US soldiers, averaging nearly one a day this year, according to statistics from the country's defence department.

The 154 suicides for active-duty troops in the first 155 days of the year outnumber the US forces killed in action in Afghanistan by about 50 per cent, according to statistics obtained by the Associated Press news agency.

The numbers are rising among the 1.4 million active military personnel despite years of effort to encourage troops to seek help with mental health problems.

The reasons for the increase are not fully understood. Among explanations, studies have pointed to combat exposure, post-traumatic stress, misuse of prescription medications and personal financial problems.

Jackie Garrick, head of a newly established Defence Suicide Prevention Office at the Pentagon, said on Thursday that the suicide numbers this year are troubling.

"We are very concerned at this point that we are seeing a high number of suicides at a point in time where we were expecting to see a lower number of suicides," she said, adding that the weak US economy may be confounding preventive efforts even as the pace of military deployments eases.

Because suicides had levelled off in 2010 and 2011, this year's upswing has caught some officials by surprise.......................................... .........................."

[bd popeye]

Thanks for posting Schumacher.

Very sad news. In 2008 the civilian suicide rate in the US was 12 deaths per 100,000 persons. This rate is about 26 per 100,000...more than double. Very sad.

The causes? Extended multiple deployment of at least a year in the Army. The other services? I'm not sure..could be more deployments, family separation..financial problems.

[Equation]

Thanks for posting Schumacher.

Very sad news. In 2008 the civilian suicide rate in the US was 12 deaths per 100,000 persons. This rate is about 26 per 100,000...more than double. Very sad.

The causes? Extended multiple deployment of at least a year in the Army. Thee other services? I'm not sure..could be more deployments, family separation..financial problems.

Sad indeed, not to mention the divorce rates as well. The stress put upon these men and women service members are extreme, and then to came home into a more safer environment came as a shock to most of them.

[Jeff Head]

US TO OPEN SUBIC BAY & CLARK AIR BASE IN THE PHILIPINES
With the U.S. moving the majority of its naval fleet to the Pacific, commanders are eagerly looking for invitations to park the planes and ships that will be pouring into the region.

Travis Tritten at Stars and Stripes reports that the Pentagon has apparently been fanning the old flame of friendship with the Philippines and will be re-opening two bases it left in 1991 — Subic Bay and Clark Air Base.

Although in the years since the US left these bases they have been developed in many areas for commercial and private use, they are huge bases and there's plenty of room left for both the large naval facilities and the air base.

Many, many American servicemen have fond memories of Subic Bay and Clark in the Philipines and the economic boom for the area will be welcome.

This is a part of the Pacific surge strategy and will allow the US to disperse its forces, yet have them close at hand in large numbers.

[navyreco]

Lockheed Martin’s JLTV Design Improved for Next Phase of U.S. Competition*-*Army Recognition

Lockheed Martin will know this summer if its government-proven Joint Light Tactical Vehicle design will move forward in the U.S. Army-Marine Corps competition. Drawing from over 40 years of vehicle integration experience, Lockheed Martin improved its offering for the next phase with a lighter, more affordable model, without sacrificing the impressive performance displayed in the 2011 testing phase.

“Our improvements removed hundreds of pounds of weight from our design, which was already proven in helicopter lift tests,” said Scott Greene, vice president of Ground Vehicles at Lockheed Martin’s missiles and fire control business unit. “With more than 160,000 combined testing miles behind us, we’ve proven our JLTV is reliable and that we meet protection standards of many existing mine-resistant vehicles in combat operations today.”

[asif iqbal]

Does anyone know how fast Virgina Class can go while submerged? bd popeye or Jeff?

it is rumoured that Astute Class can reach close to 30 knots, maybe undisclosed figure is higher

[bd popeye]

Does anyone know how fast Virgina Class can go while submerged? bd popeye or Jeff?

That info is classified..I'm sure it can keep up with an CVN (30+ knots) while surfaced where as the Virgina class will be assigned to carrier battle groups. Submerged? I sure have no clue.

[Jeff Head]

Jeff, just out of curiosity, what does "aviation centric" really mean in that context? No well decks means no LCACs, I'm sure. Will there still be marines and light equipment on board to be airlifted by transport Helos / Ospreys, or is it a platform really primarily carrying attack assets like JSF/Vipers with only a small marine ship security detail, if at all?
Anyway, that would leave a complete LHA to focus on the CAS role in a landing, while another "traditional" LHA can focus even more on the troop transport role. And a CVN can do strikes as necessary.

This means that they are designed specifically to be used as Sea Control carriers when needed, in which case on such deployments the number of Marines would be minimized and the vessel would contain a full compliment of F-35s and associated SAR, ASW and Searchy Helos. Probably 20-24 Fighters in that role.

Otherwise, she works as an assault vessel, carrung 1,900 or so Marines who can use air assault with Ospreys and helos to hit beaches or points inland, along with equipment thaty can be lifted into battle. In such a scenario, she woul;d operate in company with either San Antonio LPDs or Wasp LHDs who would utilize their well decks as necessary to land heavier equipment.

Now, a Wasp can operate in the Sea control mode, but she is not optimized to do so in terms of the amount of jet/aircraft fuel she carries and the amount of hangar space she has. The America LHAs that are optimized for aircraft have added much more aviation fuel and hangar space in place of the well deck.

---------- Post added at 11:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:21 PM ----------

Lockheed Martin’s JLTV Design Improved for Next Phase of U.S. Competition*-*Army Recognition

That will be a really nice vehicle for US troopers to have.

Does anyone know how fast Virgina Class can go while submerged? bd popeye or Jeff?

it is rumoured that Astute Class can reach close to 30 knots, maybe undisclosed figure is higher

Fast.

As popeye said, the actual number is classified, but a number of 28+ knots means certainly it can maintain in excess of 30.

[asif iqbal]

did a Soviet Nuclear submarine not shadow the USS Enterprise back in the days at top speed through the Pacific? i think it was late 1960s?

that must have been close to 30 knots