Photo: Rajshree class IPV (Wiki Info) Click on the photo for larger size
Indian Coast Guard is on a roll. NetIndian is reporting they have just commissioned their eighth new Inshore Patrol Vessel, CGS Rajdhwaj, essentially a fast response cutter, except that theirs is a bit larger, faster, and more heavily armed. Doesn’t have quite the range though. The ship is the last in the series of eight.
The first of these Rajshree-class Inshore Patrol Vessels was commissioned only in Feb. 2012.
Business Insider reports another successful test of a laser weapon. This time by the Army from a truck mounted system. Nothing here about how the system recognized the incoming threat but apparently good enough for taking out inbound mortar rounds and UAVs,
Why do we care–
Contrary to the report I don’t see the project’s seventh year, 2013 fiscal year $12.4 million budget as staggering. Don’t think this author has not covered a lot of DOD projects.
Alenia Aermacchi impression of a C-27J Spartan in U.S. Coast Guard livery. (Photo: Alenia Aermacchi)
I did note this in a comment on the previous post about this, but its probably too important to not to have its own post. Apparently we have confirmation that the Coast Guard will be getting the Air Force’s excess C-27Js.
Question is, if we were going to buy 36 HC-144s and we have bought 18, doesn’t getting 14 C–27s still leave us 4 planes short? and if we are giving some older C-130s to the Forrest Service perhaps a few more?
Does it mean the Coast Guard will be getting more C-130Js?
gCaptain is reporting that Canada is laying claim to the North Pole as part of their Continental shelf. But so are Denmark and Russia.
The US can’t make claims to an extended continental shelf beyond their EEZ because they have not yet ratified the UN Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Good news is looks like all parties are willing to take it to court rather than fight over it.
It looks like a small attack aircraft, but it is being marketed as a an ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) asset–kind of a manned drone.
“Weaver also indicated that the suitability for maritime surveillance could lead to sales with the Coast Guard.” (emphasis applied)
Probably ravings of a delusional company executive, but it is a bold move on the part of Textron, maker of Cessna aircraft.
Here is the Company’s web page. Five of the six missions they suggest are Dept. of Homeland Security Missions–Border Security, Maritime Security, Counter-Narcotics, Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response, Aerospace Control Alert (the CG sort of does this around DC). Somehow I think it is doubtful the DHS will start getting their own “fighters.” That will almost certainly be how they would be seen–they have six underwing hardpoints.
It is a straight winged twin engine jet and probably has much in common with the Cessna Citation family of business jets. Reportedly it will fly 400+ knots, go out 150 miles, loiter for 5 hours, and return while carrying 3,000 pounds of ISR equipment, at a cost of “only” $3000/hour (how does that compare with the HC-144?) Didn’t we just give up our jets? And I think they had a toilet for those longer missions.
I don’t normally make note of this sort of thing, because it should be routine, but it hasn’t happened since 2006. Dec. 3 Polar Star got underway enroute McMurdo.
There has been a report that Yemen’s navy destroyed a boat attempting to attack Yemen’s LNG export terminal.
Yemen’s coast guard is largely equipped with equipment from the USCG’s Foreign Military Sales program, including two 87ft Marine Protector WPBs and twelve 25 ft Defender class patrol boats. Would not be surprised if they were involved.
Nov. 22 the DOD released its Arctic strategy. The news release is here. but I have quoted it in full below:
“Department of Defense Announces Arctic Strategy
“Today the Department of Defense released its Arctic Strategy during a speech by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel at the Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia, Canada. The strategy document may be viewed at http://www.defense.gov/pubs/2013_Arctic_Strategy.pdf.
“Secretary Hagel’s speech can be read here.”
The strategy itself is actually pretty short, only 16 glossy pages. The readers digest version breaks down to, the DOD will work with allies and partners both internationally and domestically to assure the Arctic remains,
“…a secure and stable region where U.S. national interests are safeguarded, the U.S. homeland is protected, and nations work cooperatively to address challenges.”
The Coast Guard released its own, much more detailed strategy earlier, reported here.
Worth noting, DOD Strategy’s definition of the Arctic, like that of the National and Coast Guard strategies, extends well south of the Arctic Circle:
“The DoD strategy uses a broad definition of the Arctic, codified in 15 U.S.C. 4111, that includes all U.S. and foreign territory north of the Arctic Circle and all U.S. territory north and west of the boundary formed by the Porcupine, Yukon, and Kuskokwim Rivers; all contiguous seas, including the Arctic Ocean and the Beaufort, Bering, and Chukchi Seas, and the Aleutian islands chain.”
This might be of particular interest to the Coast Guard:
“Department will work through the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to maintain air tracking capabilities in the Arctic. As the maritime domain becomes increasingly accessible, the Department will seek to improve its maritime detection and tracking in coordination with DHS and other departments and agencies as well as through public/private partnerships. The Department of the Navy, in its role as DoD Executive Agent for Maritime Domain Awareness, will lead DoD coordination on maritime detection and tracking. Where possible, DoD will also collaborate with international partners to employ, acquire, share, or develop the means required to improve sensing, data collection and fusion, analysis, and information-sharing to enhance domain awareness appropriately in the Arctic. Monitoring regional activity and analyzing emerging trends are key to informing future investments in Arctic capabilities and ensuring they keep pace with increasing human activity in the region over time.”
There is a footnote on page ten of the document (page 12 of the pdf) that might provide a justification for DOD funding of icebreakers for the Coast Guard:
“11As expressed by Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM), Commander, U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), and Commander, USNORTHCOM, in a May 2008 memorandum, the United States needs assured access to support U.S. national interests in the Arctic. Although this imperative could be met by regular U.S. Government ships in open water up to the marginal ice zone, only ice-capable ships provide assured sovereign presence throughout the region and throughout the year. Assured access in areas of pack ice could also be met by other means, including submarines and aircraft.”
FierceHomelandSecurity is reporting the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection are admitting that Pangas smuggling north from Mexico are going around existing patrols. Shouldn’t surprise anyone, there is a lot of money in it. In addition to drugs they could be smuggling terrorist just as easily.
Perhaps we need a few of those Webber Class WPCs in the Pacific. Reportedly the administration is taking another look at border security. Its time to make our case that the water side is way too porous.
Press release announcing the planned commissioning of the seventh Fast Response Cutter, Charles W. David, Jr. (WPC-1107) (The press release says, this is “…the eighth Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutter (FRC) to arrive to Coast Guard Seventh District” but by my count this is the seventh to be commissioned. Suppose it may be possible both statement are true. Last one commissioned was Paul Clark, on 24 August.) They are coming out at approx. three month intervals.
This will be the first FRC homeported in Key West.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 