navy news
USS Georgia (SSGN 729) Completes Sea Trials
USS Georgia (SSGN 729), the fourth and final ship in the Navy's new class of reconfigured nuclear-powered guided missile submarines (SSGN), completed sea trials Dec. 11. Georgia and her sister ships, USS Ohio (SSGN 726), USS Michigan (SSGN 727), and USS Florida (SSGN 728), were formerly the first four ships of the Navy's current class of trident ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). "Although the SSGNs look almost identical to the 14 SSBNs from the outside, all four have been so extensively modified that they are a new class unto themselves, and like any overhauled or new construction platform, we first reestablish their readiness to rejoin the fleet via a full set of sea trials," said SSGN Program Manager Capt. Mark Bock. "Georgia had a very successful conversion process and both the crew and ship passed with flying colors." Modifications include preparing Georgia for its new role as a stealthy strike and Special Operations Forces (SOF) platform. Georgia also features upgraded intelligence, search, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, and an improved communications capacity via the new Common Submarine Radio Room and two high-data rate antennas. Georgia will also have the capability to deploy with up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles and accommodate up to 66 SOF personnel for extended periods of time to support sustained special operation campaigns. Additionally, SSGNs have converted their forward-most missile tubes to contain lockout chambers in support of both Seal Delivery Vehicle Dry Deck Shelter and Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) operations. Despite the SSGN conversion's complexity and condensed timeline, the SSGN Program Office estimates that it will deliver all four submarines within 1.1% of the original cost estimate from 2002. "The SSGN is a 'good news' story because it speaks volumes about our credibility to the taxpayer as we have proven our ability to work on a very complicated program within a constrained cost and schedule framework," said Program Executive Officer for Submarines Rear Adm. William Hilarides. "Overall, we took 134 months to deliver the four SSGNs, which is three months longer than we planned in FY02. It's not perfect, but it's close."
The Ohio class guided missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729) rests pierside at Naval Station Norfolk. Georgia made a brief stop at NS Norfolk while conducting sea trials after leaving Norfolk Naval Shipyards November 29, 2007, following the ship's conversion from a ballistic missile to a guided missile submarine. Georgia is the last of four submarines to be converted to SSGN.
(U.S. Navy photo)
USN to Test Underwater Fuel Cell The U.S. Navy has reportedly turned to a British company, ITM Power Plc, to help it jointly develop advanced power systems for the next generation of unmanned undersea vehicles. ITM Power signed the cooperative agreement with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division based in Newport, RI. The research involves dual liquid fuel cells, and will examine their durability, consistency and run-time characteristics. Fuel cells are more commonly powered by hydrogen, however dual liquid fuel cells provide a capability in non-oxygen environments and involve the mixing of non-flammable chemicals which feed the fuel cell to create electricity.
(Source: www.shephard.co.uk)
16 MTR
January 2008
You don't have Macromedia Flash Player installed.
This content requires the Macromedia Flash Player.
Get Flash
www.digitalwavepublishing.com
www.MarineLink.com
www.vovcha.com