C-130 MPA

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Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has begun briefing the U.K. and other governments over the possible formation of an international consortium to develop and integrate systems on a maritime patrol version of the C-130 Hercules.Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has begun briefing the U.K. and other governments over the possible formation of an international consortium to develop and integrate systems on a maritime patrol version of the C-130 Hercules.   (Lockheed Martin UK)

Defense News is reporting that Lockheed is seeking to establish an international consortium to develop an Maritime Patrol Aircraft version of the C-130 and they are touting the Coast Guard’s C-130J as the baseline configuration.
They expect two upgrades, an anti-surface version and an anti-submarine version that will be marketed as replacement for P-3s at a lower cost than the new P-8. They also expect that services that already operate C-130s in other roles will see logistical advantages in adding more C-130s rather than unique MPA air frames.

Robert Yered Commmissioned

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The forth Webber Class Fast Response Cutter Robert Yered (WPC-1104) has been commissioned. This Miami Herald report includes some good video, including structural test firing of the ships weapons, mooring using a wired remote controller they call a pendant, and interior shots from the ship.

The bridge is certainly large; so large it was apparently used for the pre-fire brief. The watch will need to be careful not to be distracted, if meetings on the bridge becomes common.

This report mentions that the cutter is capable of 32 knots, which is substantially more than the usually reported 28 knots.

This report from NavalToday, includes a video with a more personal look at the heritage the ship represents.

Japanese Whalers and Sea Shepherds Come to Blows.

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gCaptain is reporting, the Japanese have decided to play hard ball, or at least bumper cars, with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society’s vessels when they attempted to prevent an underway replenishment of a Japanese factory ship.

Reportedly two Sea Shepherd ships were rammed repeatedly. I would call what they did “shouldering” rather than ramming, because, to me at least, the video clearly shows they were attempting to push the protest vessels out of the way, rather than sink them.

The Japanese Coast Guard is also accused of throwing concussion grenades at Sea Shepherd vessels.

Canada’s New Patrol Boats

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File:CCGS Private Robertson V.C.jpg

Photo: CCGS Private Robertson V.C. on Trials, Halifax Harbour, July 3/2012, Ziobrop, halifaxshippingnews.ca

ShipbuildingTribune.com (as well as other sources) are reporting the acceptance of the third of nine planned “Hero Class” cutters, CCGS Corporal Teather C.V, by the Canadian Coast Guard.

If you see a family resemblance to the Webber Class Fast Response Cutters, it is not your imagination. These are based on the Damen 4207 patrol boat design (42 meters long, 7 meter beam) while the FRCs are based on the closely related Damen 4708 (47 meters long, 8 meter beam). Boats from this family of designs are used by 13 countries.  It appears the USCG will have the largest fleet with 58 of the vessels currently planned, but in addition to Canada’s nine, Mexico already has at least two and reportedly may build up to 28. Only South Africa and the US use the larger 47 meter version.

The contract for the nine vessels reportedly was for $194M (presumably Canadian $). With first steel cut in 2010 and the last of the nine scheduled for delivery in 2013, they seem to be moving the project along smartly.

“Five of the vessels will be used primarily to support Fisheries and Oceans Canada conservation and protection programs in the Maritimes, Quebec and Pacific Regions. The other four vessels will be used in a joint program with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to enhance the maritime security along the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway system.”

The Canadian Coast Guard is not a military service and their vessels are not armed. But there has been talk about arming these and other Canadian Coast Guard vessels.

Like the USCG vessels. these little ships are named after heroes. Unlike the American vessels, the heroes include representatives from other services, including a fisheries officer, Mounties, and the Canadian Army in addition to the Canadian Coast Guard.

One thing I found interesting is that while the Webber class have a nominal endurance of five days, the Canadian vessels are claimed to have an endurance of two weeks. I’ve always suspected the Webbers were capable of more.

Things Get Testy Between UK and Spain Over Gibraltar

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Mail Online is reporting relations between supposed friends, Spain and the UK, went south when a Spanish OPV, the Tornado, (something very similar to the projected Offshore Patrol Cutter, the article has a photo) decided to poke around in the Gibraltar’s territorial sea.

The Spanish have been attempting to peacefully recover the strategic stronghold, ceded to Britain in 1713.

Britain’s naval presence there is normally limited to only two small patrol boats. The British are speculating that the Spanish are using the issue to divert attention from Spain’s domestic problems.

File:HMS Sabre - P285.jpg

HMS Sabre, one of two 24 ton, 16 meter patrol boats based at Gibraltar