UAV info (from the manufacturer)

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We have all heard that the Coast Guard is evaluating “unoccupied aerial vehicles,” UAVs, UASs, or whatever we are calling them lately. Ran across this recently and thought some of you might be interesting. Particularly liked the fact that the videos included a launch, and in the case of the Scan Eagle video, a recovery on a very small vessel.

“Scan Eagle”
“Integrator”

At any rate it offers a sample of what might be in the works. 24 hour endurance, synthetic aperture radar, electro-optic/IR turret, in systems that can weigh less than 50 pounds, and we can take it off and recover from something as small as Fast Response Cutter.

NSC namesakes– Frank H. Newcomb?

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If you are not familiar with the Story of the Cutter Hudson’s heroism during the Spanish American War, you might want to take a look at this piece by one of our regular participants, William R. Wells, II (Wells2).

As the author points out, the crew never seemed to get the recognition they deserved. I would love to see the Hudson’s captain, First Lieutenant, Frank H. Newcomb, USRCS, receive the Medal of Honor as Wells2 suggest, but perhaps the Coast Guard should honor him by naming one of the new NSCs in his honor.

While we are at it any other candidates for this honor?

“Top 10 Recent Failures of the Coast Guard”

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When people voluntarily give you a critique, you probably ought to at least listen. Below are links to a critique offered by a mariner, apparently one of considerable experience. I personally don’t feel qualified to comment on most of it, because it relates to mission areas where I have had little or no experience, but perhaps some of you will get something from it.
Part 1: http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/places-uscg-dropping-ball-part/
Part 2: http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/top-10-recent-failures-of-the-uscg-part-2/#more-13783

Arctic Patrol Vessel

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With all the talk of the Arctic opening up, I’d like to pick you brains about the sort of ships we need. How will we balance of numbers and capability?

Do we need a new design? An ice strengthened OPC? Can 225s do the job? A salt water Mackinaw? (Anybody know if the new Mackinaw is restricted to fresh water?)

Do we perhaps need a new type of vessel–maybe an icebreaking helo carrier with hanger space that can alternately be used for containers of different types from scientific or personnel support to mine warfare modules?

Should we reactivate the Glacier as an interim measure?

There is some background here.

What do you think?

MSSTs and Irregular Naval Warfare

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We have all probably read that five Maritime Safety and Security Teams (MSST) are to be dissolved.  There is good background in a recent article in The Navy League’s magazine, “Sea Power”.

For those that would like a little more background on the potential threats, here are some links to historical employment of irregular naval warfare:

There were many more attacks in Vietnam. So called “sapper” attacks were fairly common.

GPS and development of technology for underwater work and recreation have made these capabilities much easier to achieve.

I’ve heard statements to the effect that others can do the mission better, but I don’t see anyone else stepping up to do the job, at least not in US ports other than Navy bases.

I have very mixed feelings about the underwater port security mission. It is really almost an impossible job to do with a high probability of success. There are too many potential targets, not unlike trying to protect subways or buses from suicide bombers. It’s a job the needs to be done, but it is most likely to be recognized only when there is a failure.

Cruise missiles from Container Ships

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Interesting article here: The Problem with Proliferation: Cruise Missile Edition, highlights an emerging capability to arm container ships with cruise missiles.

For more information about the launch system including  a short animated film with US equipment in the hands of the bad guys, lookhttps://www.youtube.com/embed/mbUU_9bOcnM“> here.

Guns for the Offshore Patrol Cutters

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In the interest of saving a big chunk of money, I think the Coast Guard and Navy should reconsider the proposed fitting of the 57 mm gun to the new Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), and perhaps recycle existing Oto Melara 76mm Mk 75s instead.

If the Navy is going the stop supporting the Mk 75, we probably have no choice, but the 76mm is one of the most widely used weapons in the world. New developments including guided munitions and high velocity discarding sabot rounds are keeping it competitive.

STRALES system Oto Melara Munition Gives Naval Guns Low-Tech, ‘Nonlethal’ Precision

The two systems are very similar in weight and range, with the 76mm having a slight edge in range. The 57mm has a higher rate of fire, but this is balanced by the greater weight of the 76mm projectile.

It may not save the CG a lot in acquisition because, if it is like past programs, the Navy is buying the gun, but the Country has to pay for it, and the CG might benefit in having to retrain fewer people to maintain the weapons.

I think the choice of which is best boils down to what you think the critical threat we need to address is. If it is airplanes and cruise missiles or huge swarms of Iranian speedboats, the 57 mm might be better, but if you think you might have to sink a ship or hit targets ashore, then the 76 is probably better. Frankly I think the latter is more likely. For that reason I would actually prefer we mounted a 5″ Mk 45, but I don’t think that is going to happen.