Latest Navy satellite image of Hurricane Isaac

August 29, 2012 by John M. Guilfoil

This is the latest GOES-13 infrared satellite image of Hurricane Isaac provided by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Monterey, Calif. It shows the storm at 8 a.m. EDT as it makes landfall near New Orleans.

Isaac stalled partially over land and still has sustained winds of 80 mph. It is expected to be a real soaker, dumping some two feet of rain over the Gulf Coast.

So far, the reinforced levee defenses of New Orleans, which failed in the larger and more powerful Hurricane Katrina, have held up.

USS Cape St. George completes cruise around the world

August 23, 2012 by John M. Guilfoil

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (DDG 71)

The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Cape St. George and her complement of two MH-50 “Sea Hawk” helicopters from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77 Detachment 2 returned to San Diego Wednesday after wrapping up a nine-month voyage around the world.

“It’s been a lifelong dream to sail around the world,” said Captain Don Gabrielson, commanding officer of Cape St. George. “To accomplish this alongside Cape’s amazing Sailors was an honor and a privilege beyond words. It was a huge challenge, but it was just as rewarding as it was difficult.”

Cape St. George served a number of functions while deployed. She spent six months in the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility, monitoring several million square miles of water and escorting the USS Abraham Lincoln to her home port at Norfolk.

In all, the destroyer sailed 70,000 nautical miles, enough to circle the globe three and a half times at the equator. The ship completed 259 days deployed with 230 of them spent at sea and 105 days in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

For the aviation world’s interest, the sailors executed more than 3,000 safe helicopter launches and recoveries. The MH-60R helicopters flew about 350 sorties, completing more than 1,140 flight hours.

“It was a great experience to serve aboard Cape,” said Lieutenant Brock Magnino, one of the pilots assigned to HSM-77. “Capt. Gabrielson and the rest of the crew were very supportive, and it felt good to help them out as much as we could. We definitely felt like a part of the family.”

The crew made port visits to Pattaya, Thailand; Manama, Bahrain; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Valletta, Malta and Key West, Fla. Cape participated in community service projects in each port, repairing orphanages and homes for victims of domestic violence. En route, Cape passed through both the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal, sailing around the world to return home to San Diego.

“It was a long, but memorable deployment,” said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Harvey Xavier. “Our ship has come a long way and made many accomplishments since 2008. It feels good to serve on a ship that’s been around the world. Not many people are able to say they’ve been where we’ve been or did what we’ve done.”

Photo: USS Nimitz and lots of friends in formation for RIMPAC 2012

July 30, 2012 by John M. Guilfoil

Ships and submarines participating in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise 2012 are in formation in the waters around the Hawaiian islands. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Keith Devinney) — Ships and submarines participating in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise 2012 are in formation in the waters around the Hawaiian islands. Twenty-two nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise from June 29 to Aug. 3, in and around the Hawaiian Islands. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2012 is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Keith Devinney)

How’d you like to see these guys coming at you in war?

The world’s largest international maritime exercise, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2012, taking place now through Aug. 3, is the 23rd exercise in the series that began in 1971.

The photo above shows the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz with many other ships and subs taking part in this year’s exercise.

RIMPAC 2012 includes 22 nations, more than 40 vessels, 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel.

Click here for more RIMPAC 2012 photos.

Pax River hosts its first X-47B flight

July 29, 2012 by John M. Guilfoil

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (July 29, 2012) - The X-47B launches safely from Pax River for a 35-minute flight over the Chesapeake Bay, July 29. (U.S. Navy photo) — NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (July 29, 2012) – The X-47B launches safely from Pax River for a 35-minute flight over the Chesapeake Bay, July 29. (U.S. Navy photo)

Before you line up for the forthcoming “Top Gun” sequel, read this.

Naval Air Station Patuxent River conducted the navy’s first flight of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator on Sunday, making history and sounding the horns for a coming era of pilotless combat aircraft.

The flight was set for 35 minutes. the Aircraft took off at 11 a.m. and flew at 7,500 feet and 180 knots over the Chesapeake Bay before landing back at the station.

“This milestone event is the first of many flights at Pax River to demonstrate X-47B’s compatibility with aircraft carrier flight procedures and launch/recovery equipment,” said Matt Funk, UCAS lead test engineer. “The unique airspace and ship equipment at Pax River allow us to conduct the testing here before we land aboard the aircraft carrier next year.”

The X-47B had been undergoing tests at Edwards Air Force Base before arriving in Maryland in June for the next phase of testing. The Navy will assess the unmanned vehicle’s ability to perform aboard aircraft carriers. One of the testing facilities at Pax River is a simulated aircraft carrier environment, which will allow team members to ensure the aircraft is ready to operate in testing at sea. Land-based testing will establish X-47B has the ability to conduct precision approaches and to perform arrested landings and catapult launches prior to actual aircraft carrier operations, according to the Navy.

“The X-47B’s flight today is another important step closer to the Navy’s vision of operating tailless, autonomous, unmanned systems from aircraft carriers,” said Capt. Jaime Engdahl, Navy UCAS program manager.

The X-47 was created and funded by Northrop Grumman.

MH-60 “Seahawk/Knighthawk”

July 6, 2012 by John M. Guilfoil

Frontal view of an MH-60S "Knighthawk" aboard the USS Wasp during Boston Fleet Week 2012 (Air Cache Photo/John M. Guilfoil) — Frontal view of an MH-60S “Knighthawk” aboard the USS Wasp during Boston Fleet Week 2012 (Air Cache Photo/John M. Guilfoil)

When the United States Navy decided to replace its aging tandem rotor CH-46 Sea Knight transport helicopter in 1997, it already had the wildly successful Sikorsky S-70 airframe to go by.

Already the framework for the Army’s “Blackhawk” and the Navy’s “Seahawk,” a new variant of the S-70 helicopter became an obvious choice for a new multi-mission navy helicopter that could perform troop insertion/extraction, search and rescue, cargo drop, and minesweeping.

Instead of building the new MH-60 off of the SH-60 “Seahawk” platform, the designers went off the Blackhawk’s wider cabin, large sliding doors on both sides of the helicopter, and a far-aft-mounted tail wheel. The engines, drivetrain, and rotors, however, are exactly the same as the SH-60.

The MH-60 went into production in 2002, with more than 154 MH-60S helicopters in service as of January 2011.

There are also 52 MH-60R variants in service. The R “Romeo” variant looks more like the SH-60, with the rear wheel mounted more forward like the original “Seahawk.” It is outfitted for sea strike and anti-submarine warfare.

The last CH-46 Navy Sea Knights retired in September 2004.

Crews unofficially and affectionately call the MH-60 “Knighthawk” as a tribute to the Sea Knight, but the official Navy designation “Seahawk” remains for this aircraft as well as the SH-60. A MH-60 pilot speaking on the USS Wasp during Independence Day 2012 festivities in Boston, casually referred to the helicopter as a “Knighthawk,” and pointed out the differences between the MH-60 and SH-60.

The MH-60 is the first US Navy helicopter to feature a “glass” cockpit, complete with four 8″X10″ active matrix liquid crystal displays and two programmable keysets.

The helicopter has a good safety record, but there have been incidents. On Sept. 24, 2007, an MH-60 crashed during training over Guam, killing one and injuring three. Another crashed into the side of a snow-covered West Virginia mountain in Feb. 2010. All 17 aboard at the time were rescued.

During Boston Fleet Week 2012 and Independence Day celebrations, an MH-60 and her crew landed on the USS Wasp, which was docked and open for public tours throughout the week. Visitors were allowed to get up close and personal with the “Knighthawk,” including sitting in the cockpit and chatting with the crew. That visit is where most of our photos come from.

Specifications

General

Crew: 3–4
Capacity: 20 armed troops/Slung load of 9,000 lb
Length: 64 ft 8 in
Rotor diameter: 53 ft 8 in
Height: 17 ft 2 in
Empty weight: 15,200 lb
Engine: Two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft, 1,890 shp each

Performance

Never exceed: 207 mph
Recommended maximum speed: 168 mph
Range: 518 mi
Ceiling: 12,000 ft

Armament

Guns: M60D, M240 or GAU-17/A machine guns
Armed Helicopter Kit: Hellfire missiles, rockets, large caliber guns and cannons.
Other: FLIR pod and ALQ-144 infrared jammer