Category Archives: Communications

Office of Naval Research, “Naval Future Force Science and Technology Expo”

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Don’t often mention “trade shows.” I don’t think I ever have, but this is one that the CG might want to attend.

What: Naval Future Force Science and Technology EXPO
When: Feb. 4-5, 2015
Where: Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

Among the things the Coast Guard might benefit from are developments in Maritime Domain Awareness, ship design and survivability, and developments in unmanned systems.

Perhaps not immediately applicable to the Coast Guard, but looks like they will also have a good discussion on development of electromagnetic railguns. These might have the advantage for the Coast Guard of being effective ship stoppers, while having the advantage of requiring no explosives be carried on the ship–a good reason for the new ships to have robust generator capacity.

Commandant Remarks and Q&A–USNI/CSIS on CSPAN

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Earlier we talked briefly about the Commandant’s address to the USNI and CSIS Maritime Security Dialog. This is the entire address.

It is about 53 minutes, of which the first half is prepared remarks and the second half Q&A.

I think you will find it worth the time.

Thanks again to James WF for pointing me to this.

Lobbying Congress and the Administration

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Would like to call attention to something retired Navy and Marine Corp flag officers are doing to lobby for better funding for the Navy. It is a letter signed by 95 retired flag officers. Perhaps it would not be unreasonable to expect the Coast Guard’s retired flag officers to do something similar.

While the Navy may be in trouble, the Coast Guard is in a far worse situation. While some of these officers may have be to an extent muzzled by the Department, there is nothing to stop their speaking out now, and if anything the situation has gotten progressively worse since they left the service.

Frankly I find it hard to understand why there is not more outcry about the Coast Guard’s budget. All I seem to see is happy talk about the wonderful new assets, while the Fleet continues to age. We really need a sense of urgency.

Video Screens as Communications Devices

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CIMSEC has an interesting post that talks about using video devices for a number of unconventional purposes in the naval environment, “Camouflage: You Ain’t Screen Nothin’ Yet.”

The post includes several innovative ideas that might stimulates thinking, but one relatively simple idea caught my eye, that of using video displays (think jumbo-tron) to communicate with another vessel possibly using multiple languages or graphics. Might be useful in boarding situations involving non-English speakers to supplement the methods currently used.