David
Thu April 17, 2003 4:12pm
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Iraqi Hafid Katham waits
Sunday, April 6, 2003, Iraqi Hafid Katham waits to be treated for severe burns to his face and hands at an open-air military clinic set up by the U.S. 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the town of Nasiriya in central Iraq on Saturday. Katham, a civilian, 39, said he was burned in his home in U.S. airstrikes 13 days before that killed 11 of his relatives. He decided to show up at the clinic for treatment of his burns on Saturday.
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David
Fri April 25, 2003 1:00pm
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CGC DECISIVE, 5", New Cas
CGC DECISIVE, 5", New Castle, New Hampshire, before 1984
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David
Wed December 31, 2003 1:28am
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Decisions, decisions...
Decisions, decisions...
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:24pm
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Sierra I Class Nuclear At
Function: Nuclear powered attack submarine.
History: The Sierra I class nuclear attack submarine (SSN) was conceived in 1972 as Project 945 "Barrakuda," and was intended to serve as a replacement for the aging Pr. 671RTM boats, which had reached the limits of their developmental potential, as the primary attack submarine in the Soviet Navy. In addition to incorporating a number of technological enhancements which improved navigation, communications, propulsion, radiated noise, sensor quality and command and control, the Pr. 945 boats featured an active countermeasures suite which worked in a manner similar to those found on aircraft. This system would use acoustic sensors to detect, classify, and automatically prioritize these contacts and display this information to an operator who then could take more precise action. Furthermore, in the case of torpedoes, the system could automatically take action, launching decoys and initiating barrage and deception jamming of the threat sensors. Lastly, the Pr. 945 submarines were the first to utilize non acoustic sensors to detect submarines, using infrared sensors to detect the thermal gradients produced in submarine wakes. The design utilized many features found in the Pr. 685 boats, including the 48-T titanium alloy hull. The 945 hulls were armed with two internal 53cm torpedo tubes, two external 53cm torpedo tubes, and four internally mounted 65cm torpedo tubes. Unlike the Pr. 685 submarines, the Barrakuda had a large torpedo room with a capacity for 40 weapons, including 53 and 65cm wake following and wire guided torpedoes, BA-111 Shkval underwater rockets, P-100 anti-ship missiles, RPK-6 rocket delivered nuclear depth charges, and RPK-7 rocket delivered homing torpedoes.
Deployed roughly at the same time as the American Improved Los Angeles class fast attack submarines, the 945 boats were comparable with the early Los Angeles class in terms of performance except in the areas of non acoustic detection and integrated acoustic countermeasure systems, where the Soviet submarines are decidedly superior. Production was limited to two submarines before the class was redesigned and reclassified Project 945A and both were decommissioned in 1997 as a result of high operating costs.
General Characteristics, Karp Class
Builders:
Krasnoye Soromovo Zavod 112, Nizhniy Novgorod
Power Plant:
One OKB-650B-5 rated at 190 Megawatts, two steam turbines, one shaft with one VRSh-7 controllable pitch screw, 47,000 shaft horsepower
Length, Overall:
351 feet (107 meters)
Beam:
36.7 feet (11.2 meters)
Draft:
27.9 feet (8.5 meters)
Displacement:
6,800 tons submerged
Speed:
35 knots submerged
Crew:
31 Officers, 28 Enlisted
Maximum Safe Diving Depth:
2,300 feet
Armament:
Two internal 53cm torpedo tubes
Two external 53cm torpedo tubes
Four internal 65cm torpedo tubes
P-100 Oniks (NATO SS-N-22 SUNBURN) anti-ship missiles
Two RPK-6 Vodopod (NATO SS-N-16 STALLION) rocket delivered nuclear depth charges
RPK-7 Vodopei (NATO SS-N-16 STALLION) rocket delivered homing torpedoes
BA-111 Shkval underwater rockets
Type 65-76 torpedoes
SET-72 torpedoes
TEST-71M torpedoes
USET-80 torpedoes
Sensors:
Vspletsk combat direction system
Radar:
One Chiblis surface search radar
One Medvyedista-945 navigation radar
Sonar:
One MGK-503 Skat active/passive sonar suite
One Pelamida towed sonar array
Two Akula flank arrays
One MG-70 mine detection sonar
Countermeasures:
Bukhta ESM/ECM system
Two MG-74 Korund noise simulation decoys
One MT-70 sonar intercept reciever
Nikhrom-M IFF systemm
Ships:
K.239 Karp, Commissioned June 1987, decommissioned 1997.
K.276 Krab, Commissioned September 1984, decommissioned 1997.
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:24pm
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Victor III Class Nuclear
Function: Nuclear powered attack submarine.
History: The Project 671RTM class (NATO Victor III) nuclear attack submarine (SSN) was designed based off of information delivered to the Soviet Union via the Walker spy ring. The documents delivered by the Walker family compromised every aspect of the American navy's antisubmarine warfare program. What these documents revealed was just how badly outclassed the Soviets were in submarine warfare. The current Soviet production submarines, the Pr. 671RT, were shown to be so noisy that not only was the US Navy able to maintain a "real time" position fix on these submarines, but that their own noise levels defeated the effectiveness of their own offensive sensors. In effect, had war between the Soviet Union and the United States been initiated, the Soviet submarine fleet would have been decimated.
The information provided by the Walker spies changed all this. Following their disclosures, the Soviet navy initiated a crash program to quiet its current fleet of submarines as well as improve their offensive capabilities, which were still based on World War Two technology. Designated the Pr. 671RTM, this new series would incorporate rafted and insulated machinery, a brand new sonar suite which emphasized passive detection capabilities as well as new twin flank arrays and a new towed sonar array. Improvements would be made in the processing of this additional sonar information, culminating with the development of an integrated combat system for the Pr. 671RTMK series (this was made possible through the acquisition of a Norwegian navy software program and Toshiba computer components). Externally similar to the Pr. 671RTM, the 671RTMK incorporates, among other improvements, the non acoustic sensor complex built for the Pr. 971 boats. The 671RTM/RTMK hulls were armed with four bow mounted 53cm torpedo tubes and four bow mounted 65cm torpedo tubes. Unlike the Pr. 685 submarines, the Barrakuda had a large torpedo room with a capacity for 40 weapons, including 53 and 65cm wake following and wire guided torpedoes, BA-111 Shkval underwater rockets, P-100 anti-ship missiles, RPK-6 rocket delivered nuclear depth charges, and RPK-7 rocket delivered homing torpedoes.
Deployed roughly at the same time as the American Improved Los Angeles class fast attack submarines, the 671RTM boats were comparable with the much earlier Permit class American Submarines while the 671RTMK were the equivalent to the later Sturgeon class in terms of performance. Production was stopped at 26 submarines with 14 still in limited service. The remaining 671RTM series submarines will be withdrawn from service once their reactor life has been exhausted.
General Characteristics, K.138 (Victor III) Class
Builders:
Krasnoye Soromovo Zavod 112, Nizhniy Novgorod
Power Plant:
Two VM-4T rated at 72 Megawatts each, two steam turbines, one shaft with one VRSh-7 controllable pitch screw or two VRSh-4 screws on a single shaft, 31,000 shaft horsepower
Length, Overall:
351.6 feet (107.2 meters)
Beam:
35.4 feet (10.8 meters)
Draft:
24.2 feet (7.4 meters)
Displacement:
6,990 tons submerged
Speed:
30 knots submerged
Crew:
27 Officers; 73 Enlisted
Maximum Safe Diving Depth:
1,150 feet
Armament:
Four bow mounted 53cm torpedo tubes
Two bow mounted 65cm torpedo tubes
P-100 Oniks (NATO SS-N-22 SUNBURN) anti-ship missiles
Two RPK-2 Viyoga (NATO SS-N-16 STARFISH) rocket delivered nuclear depth charges or two S-10 Granet (NATO SS-N-21 SAMPSON) strategic cruise missiles
Six RPK-7 Vodopei (NATO SS-N-16 STALLION) rocket delivered homing torpedoes (ASW variant)
Six P-100 Oniks (NATO SS-N-22 SUNBURN) anti-ship missiles (ASuW variant)
BA-111 Shkval underwater rockets
Type 53-65K torpedoes
SET-65 torpedoes
TEST-68 wire guided torpedoes
Sensors:
Vodopod combat direction system (671RTM)
Viking combat direction system (671RTMK)
Radar:
One MRK-50 Topol surface search radar
One Medvyedista-671 navigation radar
Sonar:
One MGK-400 Rubikon active/passive sonar suite
Two Akula flank arrays One Pithon towed array
One MG-24 Luch mine detection sonar
Countermeasures:
Bulava ESM/ECM system
Two MG-74 Korund noise simulation decoys
One MT-70 sonar intercept receiver
Nikhrom-M IFF system
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 10:35pm
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T-AO - Henry J. Kaiser Cl
Function: Thirteen underway replenishment oilers are operated by Military Sealift Command and provide underway replenishment of fuel to U.S. Navy ships at sea and jet fuel for aircraft assigned to aircraft carriers. Three of the newest MSC underway replenishment oilers have double hulls.
History: Fitted with integrated electrical auxiliary propulsion, the delivery of USNS Patuxent (T-ATF 201), USNS Rappahannock (T-ATF 204) and USNS Laramie (T-ATF 203) was delayed by the decision to fit double hulls to meet the requirements of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. This modification increased construction time from 32 to 42 months and reduced cargo capacity by 17 percent, although this can be restored in an emergency. Hull separation is 1.83 m at the sides and 1.98 m on the bottom. USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187) has become part of the MSC Prepositioning Program at Diego Garcia, carrying aviation fuel.
Description: There are stations on both sides of each ship for underway replenishment of fuel and stores.
General Characteristics, Henry J. Kaiser Class
Builders:
Avondale Shipyards, Inc., New Orleans, LA
Power Plant:
Two Colt-Pielstick 10 PC4.2 V 570 diesels; 34,442 hp(m) (24.3MW) sustained; 2 shafts; cp props
Length, Overall:
677.5 feet (206.50 meters)
Beam:
97.5 feet (29.72 meters)
Displacement:
40,700 long tons (41,353.16 metric tons); 42,000 long tons (42,674.02 metric tons) [T-AO 201, 203-204] full load
Capacity:
180,000; 159,000 [T-AO 201, 203-204] barrels of fuel oil or aviation fuel
Speed:
20 knots (23 mph, 37.05 kph)
Crew:
82 civilian crew (18 officers); 21 Navy (1 officer) plus 21 spare
Aircraft:
Helicopter platform only
Ships:
USNS Henry J. Kaiser (TAO 187) ? Prepositioning Program
USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193) USNS Ericsson (T-AO 194)
USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO 195)
USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196)
USNS Pecos (T-AO 197)
USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198)
USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199)
USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200)
USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201)
USNS Yukon (T-AO 202)
USNS Laramie (T-AO 203)
USNS Rappahannock (T-AO 204)
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 11:51pm
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T-AGOS Stalwart Class Cou
Function: The USNS Stalwart (TAGOS 1), USNS Indomitable (TAGOS 7) and USNS Capable (TAGOS 16) are monohull ocean surveillance ships originally designed to gather underwater acoustical data.
History: Stalwart, along with two sister ships, was deactivated in the early 1990s when the end of the Cold War signaled a reduced submarine threat from the former Soviet Union, however, the Atlantic commander decided to convert the three ships for a new mission ? finding narcotics traffickers. They now support the Joint Interagency Task Force, East. The three Stalwart class ships have been modified for a drug interdiction mission. The underwater acoustic array was removed, and an air search radar, integrated display system, sophisticated communications suite and other special mission equipment were installed to detect and monitor suspected drug traffickers.
General Characteristics, Stalwart Class
Builders:
Tacoma Boatbuilding, Tacoma, WA
Power Plant:
Diesel-electric; four Caterpillar D 3988 diesel generators, 3,200 horsepower, two motors, 1,600 horsepower; two shafts; bow thruster; 550 horsepower
Length, Overall:
224 feet (68.28 meters)
Beam:
43 feet (13.11 meters)
Displacement:
2,262 long tons (2,298.3 metric tons) full load
Speed:
11 knots (12.66 mph, 20.37 kph)
Crew:
20 Navy personnel and 18 civilians
Ships:
USNS Stalwart (T-AGOS 1)
USNS Indomitable (T-AGOS 7)
USNS Capable (T-AGOS 16I)
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David
Sat January 3, 2004 11:51pm
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Ocean Surveillance Ship
Function: Ocean surveillance ships have a single mission to gather underwater acoustical data. The T-AGOS ships operate to support the anti-submarine warfare mission of the Commanders in chief of the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets.
History: A contract for the first SWATH ship, T-AGOS 19, was awarded in November 1986, and options for the next three were exercised in October 1988. These ships have the same WSC-6 communications, links and operating procedures as the Stalwart class. The keel for the first Impeccable class was laid down Feb. 2, 1993. The ship was more than 60 percent completed when the shipyard encountered difficulties. The contract was sublet to Halter Marine on April 20, 1995 to complete the ship. Planned christening date is early 1999.
Description: The ship is designed to tow an array of underwater listening devices to collect acoustical data. The ship also carries electronic equipment to process and transmit that data via satellite to shore stations for evaluation. The ship, the listening devices and electronic equipment are all part of a system called the Surveillance Towed Array System, or SURTASS. The Victorious class ocean surveillance ships are built on a Small Waterplane Twin Hull, or SWATH, design for greater stability at slow speeds in high latitudes under adverse weather conditions. The Impeccable class ships have a hull form based on that of the Victorious. Acoustic systems should include an active low frequency towed array, which has a series of modules each of which houses two high-powered active transducers. These can be used with either mono or bistatic receivers.
Background: Stalwart, along with two sister ships, was deactivated in the early 1990s when the end of the Cold War signaled a reduced submarine threat from the former Soviet Union, however, the Atlantic commander decided to convert the three ships for a new mission ? finding narcotics traffickers. They now support the Joint Interagency Task Force, East. The three Stalwart class ships have been modified for a drug interdiction mission. The underwater acoustic array was removed, and an air search radar, integrated display system, sophisticated communications suite and other special mission equipment were installed to detect and monitor suspected drug traffickers.
General Characteristics, Stalwart Class
Builders:
Tacoma Boatbuilding, Tacoma, WA
Power Plant:
Diesel-electric; four Caterpillar D 3988 diesel generators, 3,200 horsepower, two motors, 1,600 horsepower; two shafts; bow thruster; 550 horsepower
Length, Overall:
224 feet (68.28 meters)
Beam:
43 feet (13.11 meters)
Displacement:
2,262 long tons (2,298.3 metric tons) full load
Speed:
11 knots (12.66 mph, 20.37 kph), 3 knots when towing array
Crew:
18 mariners, five technicians and up to 15 Navy personnel
Ships:
USNS Prevail (T-AGOS 8)
USNS Assertive (T-AGOS 9)
USNS Bold (T-AGOS 12)
General Characteristics, Victorious Class
Builders:
McDermott Marine, Morgan City, LA
Power Plant:
Diesel-electric; four Caterpillar 3,512 diesel generators, two GE motors, twin screw 1,600 shaft hp; two bow thrusters; 2,400 horsepower
Length, Overall:
234.5 feet (71.48 meters)
Beam:
93.6 feet (28.53 meters)
Displacement:
3,396 long tons (3,450.5 metric tons) full load
Speed:
10 knots (11.51 mph, 18.52 kph), 3 knots when towing array
Crew:
19-22 mariners, 5 technicians and up to 15 Navy personnel
Ships:
USNS Victorious (T-AGOS 19)
USNS Able (T-AGOS 20)
USNS Effective (T-AGOS 21)
USNS Loyal (T-AGOS 22)
General Characteristics, Impeccable Class
Builders:
Tampa Shipyard/Halter Marine
Power Plant:
Diesel-electric; three diesel generators; two Westinghouse motors; 5,000 horsepower; twin screw shaft; two omni-thruster hydrojets; 1,800 horsepower
Length, Overall:
281.5 feet (85.80 meters)
Beam:
95.8 feet (29.2 meters)
Displacement:
5,370 long tons (5,456.18 metric tons) full load
Speed:
13 knots (14.96 mph, 24.08 kph), 3 knots when towing
Crew:
20 mariners, 5 technicians and up to 20 Navy personnel
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David
Sun January 4, 2004 12:31am
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SSN688(I) - San Juan Clas
Function: Nuclear powered Fast Attack submarine.
History: The Los Angeles class SSN design proved to be so effective that as time progressed and technological improvements were made to the submarine's systems, rather than build a completely new class of boat it was decided to reuse the Los Angeles design, but fitted with newer, more advanced systems. Based on research and development studies, performed in part by USS Memphis (SSN691) which had been specifically modified during refit to serve as a technology test bed, several major improvements were made to the basic Los Angeles design. In addition to internal upgrades to improve the submarine's sensors and to make it quieter, the hull was also modified to increase submerged speed. Furthermore, by strengthening the sail and moving the forward dive planes from the sail to the bow, the San Juan boats have a true "under ice" capability. The Improved Los Angeles (or San Juan class) submarines currently fill the role of America's front line fast attack submarine, surpassing the Los Angeles class in all respects, and will continue to serve until replaced by either the Seawolf class (SSN21) or the Virginia class (SSN774).
General Characteristics, San Juan Class
Cost:
About $900 million each
Builders:
General Dynamics Electric Boat Division
Power Plant:
One S6G nuclear reactor, one shaft, 35,000 shaft horse power
Length, Overall:
360 feet (109.73 meters)
Beam:
33 feet (10.06 meters)
Draft:
35 feet (10.67 meters)
Displacement:
6,927 tons (7,010.73 metric tons) submerged
Speed:
32 knots submerged
Crew:
13 Officers; 121 Enlisted
Armament:
Mk 48 ADCAP Torpedoes, launched from four 533mm torpedo tubes
Harpoon anti-ship missiles (tube launched)
Tomahawk anti-ship/ land attack missiles, launched from a 12 tube vertical launch system (VLS)
Sensors:
BSY-1 combat data system
Radar:
1 AN/BPS-5 surface search radar
1 AN/BPS-15 navigation and fire control radar
Sonar:
1 TB-16 passive towed sonar array
1 TB-23 passive "thin line" towed sonar array
1 AN/BQG-5 wide aperture flank array
1 AN/BQQ-5 low frequency spherical bow sonar array
1 AN/BQS-15 close range active sonar (ice detection)
Mine and Ice Detection and Avoidance System (MIDAS)
SADS-TG active detection sonar)
Optics:
1 Type 2 attack periscope
1 Type 18 search periscope
Countermeasures:
WLR-9 acoustic intercept receiver
WLQ-4 ESM
WLY-1 torpedo decoy
Ships:
USS San Juan (SSN 751), Groton, CT
USS Pasadena (SSN-752), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Albany (SSN-753), Norfolk, VA
USS Topeka (SSN-754), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Miami (SSN-755), Groton, CT
USS Scranton (SSN-756), Norfolk, VA
USS Alexandria (SSN-757), Groton, CT
USS Asheville (SSN-758), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Jefferson City (SSN-759), San Diego, CA
USS Annapolis (SSN-760), Groton, CT
USS Springfield (SSN-761), Groton, CT
USS Columbus (SSN-762), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Santa Fe (SSN-763), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Boise (SSN-764), Norfolk, VA
USS Montpelier (SSN-765), Norfolk, VA
USS Charlotte (SSN-766), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Hampton (SSN-767), Norfolk, VA
USS Hartford (SSN-768), Groton, CT
USS Toledo (SSN-769), Groton, CT
USS Tucson (SSN-770), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Columbia (SSN-771), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Greeneville (SSN-772), Pearl Harbor, HI
USS Cheyenne (SSN-773), Pearl Harbor, HI
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David
Sun January 4, 2004 12:31am
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LSV-2: Large Scale Vehicl
Function: The world's largest unmanned autonomous submarine. LSV 2 Cutthroat will offer the capability to conduct a wide variety of studies dramatically improving the acoustic and operational performance of future submarines.
Entered Navy: 2001.
Description: LSV 2 Cutthroat will provide submarine design engineers a platform to test advanced submarine technologies.
Cutthroat, a 205-ton, large scale submarine test vehicle, will be used to affordably explore and test emerging technologies and to conduct physics-based experiments. Specific emphasis will be on stealth, hydrodynamics, hydroacoustics and propulsion designs to permit technology insertion into current and future submarines.
The LSV 2 will provide the capability to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of new technologies that will result in major improvements in performance for the U.S. Navy's new attack submarine, USS Virginia (SSN 774). The LSV 2 is being designed and built by an industry team from Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics/Electric Boat Company under contract from Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).
After delivery in 2001, LSV 2 will operate on Lake Pend Oreille at the Acoustic Research Detachment in Bayview, Idaho, the Navy's laboratory for demonstrating submarine stealth technology. The facility is operated by the Naval Surface Warfare Center's Carderock Division.
Cutthroat, named after a native Idaho trout, was named in 1997 after a selection process by nearby Athol Elementary School. The Navy asked the school to decide on a name from a list of indigenous Idaho fish. Many of these students attended the keel-laying in October 1997 and signed their names on the hull during the November 2000 ceremony.
Cutthroat is similar to Kokanee (LSV-1), but more advanced. Enhancements include a larger overall scale ? 29 percent, vice 25 percent for Kokanee ? which will improve the fidelity of test data to full-scale results. Cutthroat is designed to be more modular than Kokanee, so that major modifications, including radical hull changes, can be made with less impact to other systems onboard the vessel. Another advantage is an increase in ODAS capability. The Cutthroat ODAS will have twice as many data channels recorded as Kokanee at delivery ? 512, vice 256 ? and this is upgradable to 1,536 recorded channels. The Cutthroat ODAS converts the data from analog to digital form and processes the data digitally. In Cutthroat, data recording can be configured electronically under computer control, whereas Kokanee uses a patch panel. Cutthroat is equipped with a 3,000 horsepower permanent-magnet, radial-gap electric propulsion motor, provided to the Navy under a unique partnership agreement with General Dynamics Electric Boat, the owner of the technology. This motor is easily upgradable to 6,000 horsepower. Other order-of-magnitude improvements were engineered into the guidance, navigation, control, and propulsion systems, including the addition of torque sensors and other sensors of mechanical data for better reconstruction of the scenario.
General Characteristics, LSV-2: Large Scale Vehicle 2
Contractor:
Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat
Length:
111 feet (33.83 meters)
Diameter:
10 feet (3.05 meters)
Weight:
205 tons (205,000 metric tons)
Ships:
Cutthroat (LSV 2), christened on November 15, 2000
Propulsion:
Electric drive (3,000 shaft horsepower (shp) plant coupled with electric motor controller, expandable to 6,000 shp with additional motor controlled modules).
Armament:
None
Crew:
None
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David
Thu April 15, 2004 2:05pm
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Saratoga, 7 October 1777
In June 1777 General John Burgoyne set forth on an expedition from Canada with the aim of cutting the rebellious colonies in twain by seizing the Hudson River line. With his main force he advanced toward Albany via Ticonderoga while a smaller force under Colonel Barry St. Leger moved down Lake Ontario and through the Mohawk Valley. Burgoyne's plans were not coordinated with those of Sir William Howe, the British Commander in New York, who decided to move against Philadelphia instead of attacking north along the Hudson.
Initially successful, Burgoyne suffered a crippling blow when General John Stark destroyed a detachment from his force at Bennington. Meanwhile St. Leger was forced to abandon the siege of Fort Stanwix, guarding the Mohawk Valley, and retreated to Canada. Then on 19 September Burgoyne himself suffered a repulse with heavy losses when he attempted to advance on the positions manned by the main American Army under General Horatio Gates.
Three weeks later, on 7 October 1777, Burgoyne sent out an advance force and Gates moved up Colonel Daniel Morgan's riflemen and other units to meet it. In the ensuing battle (usually known as Bemis Heights) Morgan's men, well adapted to the wooded terrain, took a fearful toll of British lives with their Kentucky rifles. One of the casualties was the fearless British General Simon Fraser. According to tradition Morgan, spotting the general, ordered one of his men, Tim Murphy, up a tree, saying that although he admired the Englishman, "it is necessary he should die, do your duty." Murphy's third shot inflicted a mortal wound.
Soon after Fraser's fall, Burgoyne withdrew and several days later, on 17 October, surrendered his army near Saratoga. The capitulation was a turning point of the war for it induced the French to sign a military alliance with the infant American Republic in February 1778.
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David
Mon September 13, 2004 6:50am
Rating: 10
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XM8
The XM8 Future Combat Rifle is intended to replace existing M4 Carbines and select 5.56mm x45 weapons in the US Army arsenal beginning as early as the fourth quarter of FY05.
In October 2002 ATK (Alliant Techsystems) was awarded a $5 million contract modification from the U.S. Army Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center (ARDEC), Picatinny, N.J., to develop the new XM8 Lightweight Assault Rifle. ATK Integrated Defense, Plymouth, Minn., and teammate Heckler and Koch, Oberndorf, Germany, will support the rapid development program, which will investigate the potential of the XM8 as the lightweight assault rifle for the Army's Objective Force.
The XM8 will be based on the kinetic energy weapon that is part of the XM29 next-generation infantry weapon system (formerly the Objective Individual Combat Weapon) currently under development by ATK Integrated Defense. The kinetic energy weapon, which fires 5.56mm ammunition, will provide maximum commonality in components and logistics with the XM29 system.
The XM8 will provide lethality performance comparable to the currently fielded M4 carbine rifle, while weighing 20 percent less than the M4 because of advanced technologies developed for the XM29 program.
The XM8 Lightweight Assault Rifle will reduce the 21st century soldier's load and increase his mobility - two very important aims of the Army's Objective Force Warrior and Land Warrior initiatives. The progress made to reduce weight and improve performance on the XM29 program is key to the decision on accelerating the development of the XM8, which is integrated with the Army's efforts to transform to a more lethal and rapidly deployed fighting force as part of its Objective Force.
ATK Integrated Defense is the system integrator on the XM29 program. Teammates on the program are Heckler and Koch, weapon development; ATK Ammunition Systems, Arden Hills, Minn., ammunition development; Brashear LP, Pittsburgh, Pa., integrated full solution fire control; and Omega, Columbus, Ga., training systems.
The XM8 is a true family of weapons with different barrel lengths designed to address all the needs of an infantry squad. The standard model is expected to be lighter than the M4 carbine and no larger in size. There?s also a sharpshooter version for increased range; a compact version for cramped quarters; and an auto-rifle version for a squad-automatic weapon. The XM8 family has a 9-inch compact, 12.5-inch carbine and a 20-inch sharpshooter and automatic rifle. The 12.5-inch carbine is 6.4 pounds with an objective of 5.7 pounds and is 33 inches with its adjustable stock extended. The M-16 A2 is 39.63 inches long and 8.79 pounds with a 30-round magazine.
Internally, the XM8 uses a rotary locking bolt system that functions and fieldstrips like those used in the M-16 rifle and M-4 carbine, according to the XM8 manufacturer?s ? Heckler & Koch ? Website. The bolt is powered by a unique gas operating system with a user-removable gas piston and pusher rod to operate the mechanism. Unlike the current M-4 and M-16 direct gas system with gas tube, the XM8 gas system does not introduce propellant gases and carbon back into the weapon?s receiver during firing.
While the XM8 was not exposed to battlefield conditions, it?s still a feat the current service rifle hasn?t come close to rivaling, said Rich Audette, deputy project manager for PM Soldier Weapons. During their Oct. 20-23 2003 trip to Germany, the weapons experts said they were impressed after watching Heckler & Koch engineers fire four high-capacity magazines, with 100 rounds a piece, in less than five minutes.
This improved reliability can be credited to differences in the XM8?s operating system from the one in the M16. For instance, a thin gas tube runs almost the entire length of the barrel in all of the M16 variants. When the weapon is fired, the gases travel back down the tube into the chamber and push the bolt back to eject the shell casing and chamber a new round. The XM8?s gas system instead is connected to a mechanical operating rod, which pushes back the bolt to eject the casing and chamber the new round each time the weapon is fired. So there?s no carbon residue constantly being blown back into the chamber, reducing the need to clean the weapon as often. You don?t get gases blowing back into the chamber that have contaminates in them. The XM8 also has a much tighter seal between the bolt and the ejection port, which should cut down on the amount of debris that can blow into the weapon when the ejection port?s dust cover is open.
The XM8 is part of the Army?s effort to perfect an over-and-under style weapon, known as the XM29, developed by Alliant Techsystems and H&K. It fires special air-bursting projectiles and standard 5.56mm ammunition. But the XM29 still is too heavy and unwieldy for Army requirements. Instead of scrapping the XM29, the Army decided to perfect each of XM29?s components separately, so soldiers can take advantage of new technology sooner. The parts would be brought back together when lighter materials become available. The XM8 is one of those components.
From December 2003 through late May 2004, soldiers got a chance to fire the prototypes in desert, tropical and arctic environments. A limited-user test then was conducted, possibly at Fort Campbell, Ky., where soldiers test the prototypes for about three weeks while training in offensive and defensive scenarios. Improvements will be made based on soldier and test feedback before the final three-months of operational tests, which are scheduled to begin in fall 2004. The final decision will be up to the Army?s senior leadership, but weapons officials said they were confident the XM8 weapon system will be adopted. If all goes well, the XM8 could be ready for fielding by late summer 2005.
Beginning life as the 5.56mm KE (kinetic energy) component of the 20mm air-bursting XM29 Objective Individual Combat Weapon (OICW), the XM8 Lightweight Modular Carbine System represents the state-of-the-art in 5.56x45mm NATO assault rifles. Developed by the US Army?s office of Project Manager for Soldier Weapons located at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey in close conjunction with the US Army Infantry Center, the XM8 Future Combat Rifle is intended to replace existing M4 Carbines and select 5.56mm x45 weapons in the US Army arsenal beginning as early as the fourth quarter of FY05. Once adopted, the M8 Carbine will replace the aging M16/M4 family of weapons, which have been in service for nearly four decades, longer than any previous US service rifle. The M8 Carbine will be up to 20% lighter than a comparably equipped M4 Carbine MWS and yet offer additional features and performance unavailable currently in any assault rifle in the world.
As a direct development of the separable OICW (XM29) KE or Kinetic Energy module, the M8 Carbine will share a high degree of common parts and training and maintenance procedures to lessen the required support for the ?family? of XM8 weapons. Being developed are four XM8 variants, which include a baseline carbine, a sharpshooter variant, an automatic rifle variant, and the ultra-compact carbine variant. A unique feature of the XM8 modular weapon system is the ability to easily and quickly reconfigure the weapon from one variant to the other to meet changing mission requirements, to include caliber conversion.
This modularity includes the exchange of interchangeable assembly groups such as the barrel, handguard, lower receiver, buttstock modules and sighting system with removable carrying handle. In addition and in parallel, the new XM320 quick detachable single-shot 40mm grenade launcher with side-opening breech and LSS lightweight 12 gauge shotgun module can be easily added to the XM8 by the user in the field without tools. The unique buttstock system allows the operator exchange buttstocks without tools from the standard collapsible multi-position version, to an optional buttcap for maximum portability or an optional folding or sniper buttstock with adjustable cheekpiece for special applications. Internally the XM8 employs a combat-proven robust rotary locking bolt system that functions and fieldstrips like that used in the current M16 rifle and M4 carbine. However this bolt is powered by a unique gas operating system that employs a user removable gas piston and pusher rod to operate the mechanism. Unlike the current M4/M16 direct gas system with gas tube, the XM8 gas system does not introduce propellant gases and the associated carbon fouling back into the weapon?s receiver during firing. This greatly increases the reliability of the XM8 while at same time reducing operator cleaning time by as much as 70%. This system also allows the weapon to fire more than 15,000 rounds without lubrication or cleaning in even the worst operational environments. A cold hammer forged barrel will guarantee a minimum of 20,000 rounds service life and ultimate operator safety in the event of an obstructed bore occurrence.
The XM8 has fully ambidextrous operating controls to include a centrally located charging handle that doubles as an ambidextrous forward assist when required, ambidextrous magazine release, bolt catch, safety/selector lever with semi and full automatic modes of fire and release lever for the multiple position collapsible buttstock. The operating controls allow the operator to keep the firing hand on the pistol grip and the weapon in the firing position at all times while the non-firing hand actuates the charging handle and magazine during loading and clearing. Major components of the weapon are produced from high-strength fiber reinforced polymer materials that can be molded in almost any color to include OD green, desert tan, arctic white, urban blue, brown and basic black. Surfaces on the XM8 that interface with the operator are fitted with non-slip materials to increase comfort and operator retention. The XM8 uses 10 or 30-round semi-transparent box magazines and high-reliability 100-round drum magazines for sustained fire applications.
Special integral flush mounted attachment points are located on the handguard and receiver to allow the quick attachment of targeting devices. Unlike MIL-STD-1913 rails, the XM8 attachment points do not add additional weight, bulk and cost to the host weapon, and will accept MIL-STD-1913 adapters to allow for the use of current in-service accessories. The attachment points for the standard multi-function integrated red-dot sight allow multiple mounting positions and insure 100% zero retention even after the sight is removed and remounted. The battery powered XM8 sight includes the latest technology in a red dot close combat optic, IR laser aimer and laser illuminator with back-up etched reticle with capability exceeding that of the current M68-CCO, AN/PEQ-2 and AN/PAQ-4. This sight will be factory zeroed on the weapon when it is delivered and does not require constant rezeroing in the field like current rail-mounted targeting devices. The XM8 will be fully compatible with future Land Warrior technology and components.
The US XM8 Carbine is being designed at the HK Defense design center in Sterling, Virginia and will be produced and assembled in the United States at the new Heckler & Koch manufacturing plant located in Columbus, Georgia, adjacent to Fort Benning. The unit cost of the XM8 will be less than that of the current M4 Carbine and will guarantee the American war fighter uncompromising performance far exceeding that of current in-service M4 Carbines.
XM-8 Prototype Specifications
Caliber:
5.56 x 45mm NATO
Builder:
Heckler & Koch
Weight:
6.4 lbs (prototype),
5.7 lbs objective
Overall Length:
33.3 inches (carbine stock extended)
Barrel Length:
Assault: 12.5"
Sharpshooter: 20.0"
Compact: 9.0"
Automatic Rifle: 20.0"
Rate of Fire:
Cyclic - 750 rpm
Sustained - 85 rpm up to 210 rounds
Rate of Twist:
1 in 7 inches
Barrel Life:
20,000 rounds mininum
Muzzle Velocity:
3005 feet/second (M855 Ball) with 20" barrel
2675 feet/second with 12.5" barrel
2365 feet/second with 9.0" barrel
Magazine Capacity:
10 or 30 rounds (magazines can be nested together); 100 round drum available
Stock:
5 position adjustable for length
Bayonet Lug:
Yes (12.5 & 20" barrels)
Bipod Interface:
Yes (20" only)
Sighting System:
Fully integrated red dot with laser illuminator and pointer
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David
Wed October 6, 2004 11:44pm
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Resistance Cross
Resistance Cross
When the Netherlands was liberated in May 1945, the Dutch government in London had succeeded in developing a good and balanced system of both military and civilian decorations. Apart from the already existing Military Order of William, new decorations aroused like the Bronze Lion, the Bronze Cross, the Cross of Merit and the Flyers Cross. Deeds of courage could be awarded in a very efficient way. However there was not a good decoration to award people of the resistance organisations. In surrounding countries the government had already succeeded in filling this gap. The Dutch government also tried to achieve this goal. Because of the fact that there could not be found an agreement whether deeds of resistance could be awarded with an existing Military Decoration or there was to be developed a special decoration, time passed on.
Especially within the Dutch Resistance there was a forceful movement against the decoration of resistance deeds. During war, every deed of resistance was thought to be equal to any other. However, other countries did decorate Dutch resistance people. A significant number of Dutch people were awarded decorations like the British King?s Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom and the American Medal of Freedom for their resistance work. Strengthened by this the Dutch government pushed on. Apart from that it was a personal wish of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands that resistance work should be decorated.
A special commission was formed to seek the possibilities. This Raad voor Onderscheiding en Eerbetoon ( Council for Decoration and Honour), with Prof. Ir. W. Schemerhorn, dr. L.J.M. Beel, J.M. de Booy, mr. E.N. van Kleffens, Prof. Dr. P. Lieftinck, mr. J. Meynen and General-major mr. H.J. Kruls, first asked the Grote Adviescommissie der Illegaliteit ( Great Committee of the Resistance, GAC) for advise on the matter. It should not be any surprise that this committee advised negative. On the other hand, another organisation of the former resistance, the former members of the Binnenlandse Strijdkrachten (Inland Forces B.S) that was formed at the end of the war by combining the forces of the many weaponed resistance groups in the Netherlands, did announce they were positive about decorating deeds of resistance. Finally the Dutch government took its own decision and on November 28th 1945, the order was given to the Rijksmunt to develop a new medal. Finally the choice was made for the Resistance Cross which was developed by L.O. Wenckenbach.
By Royal Decree of May 3rd 1946 the Resistance Cross was finally instituted. The formal disruption was: ?The Bronze decoration of the Resistance Cross resembled a four armed cross, imbedded on a star of flames and covered with the Royal Crown. On the front one can find St. Joris fighting the dragon. On the arms of the cross are engraved the words ?Trouw tot in den dood?. On the obverse one can find a flaming sword wit two broken chains?, all according to article 4 of the Royal Decree. The ribbon is coloured in Crimson Red with two golden orange lines.
Although presenting the decoration to a living person, a compromise was found with the opposing people of the former Dutch Resistance and the decoration was only given to people that already died. Only once this promise was broken, when on July 19th 1946 a Resistance Cross was awarded by Queen Wilhelmina to Gerard Tieman, living in the Blindeninstituut in Bussum (Home for the Blind).
The first Resistance Crosses were awarded by Royal Decree of May 7th 1946 and were given to the relatives on May 9th of the same year. The group of people that was awarded was very carefully chosen from all the different groups of the Dutch Resistance movement. Very high rules were used to make the decoration one of the highest in ranking in the Dutch system, coming only second after the highest, the Military Order of William. The Resistance Cross was also awarded to foreign people for their part in the Dutch Resistance network. On October 24h 1946 the first ?foreign? decorations were awarded to Belgian Resistance Fighters.
One remarkable Resistance Cross must not be forgotten. To commemorate the millions of Jews that were killed during the Second World War, there was to be build a monument in New York. Mr. E.N. Kleffens, then Dutch Ambassador in the United States was asked to be a member of the Commission of Recommendation for the monument to be called the ?American Memorial to six million martyred Jews and the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto Battle?. Kleffens was asked to present a decoration as forms of publicity for the monument. By his doing a Royal Decree no.4 was announced on October 17th 1947, giving a Resistance Cross to the ?Unknown Jewish Soldier of the Warsaw Ghetto who died for the Freedom of all People?. Although the monument never was finished, on the place of the monument in the Riverside Park a memorial stone was erected with the lines: ?This is the site for the American Memorial to the heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto Battle April-May 1943 and to the six million Jews of Europe martyred in the cause of human liberty?.
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David
Thu October 7, 2004 12:54pm
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The Commemorative Medal o
The Commemorative Medal of the War of Liberation. Awarded to all who had participated in the war to secure Finland's independance. Instituted on 10 September 1918 by the Finnish Senate in Helsinki, this blackened iron medal was originally decreed to hang from a dark blue ribbon. In order to avoid confusion with the Order of the White Rose's ribbon, General Mannerheim decided on 3 July 1919 to have this medal's ribbon altered and black side stripes were adopted. On the same day a silver heraldic rose was instituted for wearing on the ribbon in case of an award for bravery.
The obverse shows the Finnish arms, a crowned rampant lion standing on a curved sword and holding a broken sword in its raised paw. The reverse shows the Cross of Liberty with in each of the upper angles an armoured arm holding a sword (as in the Cross's Military Division suspension). In the lower angles is the year "19 / 18".
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David
Sat February 26, 2005 9:57am
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The Battle of Gaugamela,
The Battle of Gaugamela, Alexander's Decisive Movement, 326 B.C.
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