LOCATIONS
LAND
17 Nov 09. Cobham has opened a new facility in Exeter, NH that will immediately accommodate 80 new jobs related to the manufacture of cable systems sold to the US Government and major aerospace and defense companies. “This is the second 80,000 square foot Cobham facility at Exeter,” said Steve Schaefer, president of Cobham Sensor Systems. “These 80 new jobs will expand Cobham’s Sensor Systems employment base in New Hampshire to 350 staff members.” Cobham Sensor Systems products manufactured at this facility support electronics warfare and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) applications, as well as a wide variety of major airborne, shipboard, ground-based, space-based and homeland security-related radar platforms.
16 Nov 09. The US Army has awarded a contract to APS Contracting for the construction of a new guns and weapons laboratory at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey. The new guns and weapons lab will provide major and medium calibre laboratory space, a renovated minor calibre laboratory and machine shop and gun mount foundations. Features of the laboratory include a security-controlled lab and spaces that satisfy Secure Internet Protocol Router Network requirements, information systems, fire protection, and anti-terrorism/force protection. Work under the $10.4m contract will be carried out at Picatinny Arsenal and is expected to be complete by 25 February 2011. (Source: army-technology.com)
MARITIME
08 Nov 09. The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) launched 10 MV-22B Ospreys from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit to fly into Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, Nov. 6, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The aircraft, part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), will be transferred to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 and serve as part of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s Aviation Combat Element. The 22nd MEU was the first Marine Expeditionary Unit to conduct a ship-based deployment with the tiltrotor aircraft. VMM-263 (Rein) attached to the MEU in September, 2008, and was also the first squadron to deploy with the aircraft to Iraq in 2007. (Source: ASD Network)
16 Nov 09. The first of class Astute nuclear powered attack submarine left BAE Systems’ shipyard at Barrow-in-Furness for the first stage of sea trials designed to prove its capability as the most formidable vessel of its kind ever operated by the Royal Navy. Astute is now on her way to Her Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde at Faslane where she will be based for her operational life. BAE Systems Submarine Solutions Managing Director John Hudson said: “The first of class Astute submarine successfully departed Barrow for sea trials on Sunday 15 November. “After leaving Ramsden Dock early Sunday morning, Astute began the journey to HMNB Clyde at Faslane.
Nov 09. HMS TRAFALGAR: Decommissioned. HMS TRAFALGAR sailed into her home port, HM Naval Base Devonport, for the last time on 10 Nov 09. A
37-metre decommissioning pennant marked the boat’s 26 years service. A decommissioning ceremony is to be held at Devonport on 4 Dec 09, after which some of the crew will be assigned to HMS AMBUSH (the second of the Astute Class SSN).
Comment: The number of SSN in the Fleet has now fallen to seven (HMS SCEPTRE and the six remaining Trafalgar Class). A Ministerial statement about the postponed in-service date for HMS ASTUTE is still awaited. (Source: DNA DEFENCE NEWS ANALYSIS, Issue 09/43, 16 Nov 09)
Nov 09. Nuclear-powered Submarines: Possible Decommissioning Sites. The Defence Equipment Minister said (10 Nov 09) that four regions are likely to be considered for Submarine Dismantling Project (SDP) activities: Argyll & Bute, Berkshire, Devon and Fife. Two sites are technically capable of carrying out dismantling activities and 12 could carry out waste storage. All the sites are MoD or Defence-related.
Comment: The SDP was previously known as ISOLUS (In