Hadn't posted to Atheisms in a while, but this seemed like a good time to get something fresh up there. It seems like every time you turn around this week, some religious something-or-other is demanding the death of some non-religious someone-or-other. So many news stories this week, I decided to share with everyone what it looks like to be an atheist in the world this month.
This is more a reference for me more than anything else - I realized that I was checking enough references to perhaps build an awesome display of the 21st century Navy in 1/700 scale by the end of 2008.
As a quick snap shot, here is what we could expect from the US Navy in the next 25 years - assuming that funding works out the way they would like. For brown water operations, you can rely on the Littoral Combat Ship, which currently has two different configurations. The Zumwalt class destroyers and the Virginia class submarines sit slightly further offshore. The San Antonio class amphibious ships will bridge the gap from sand to blue water, where you can find the CV(X) giving air cover and even possibly the CG(X) providing air defense.
Just for fun, though, take a look at what else is going on in the world. Many AEGIS and stealth frigates and destroyers are joining navies worldwide, but the British Navy is doing much to revamp itself. From the Astute class submarines to the just announced Future Carrier (to be developed jointly with the French), to the Type 45 stealth destroyer, Britannia is tired of lagging behind. BAE Systems has also developed a model of the UXF, which will be a drone control ship. To be more correct, the UXF is considered a mothership for unmanned vehicles both airborne and seaborne. I saw a photo of the model that was shown at DSEi, which shows a ship based on the Type 45 destroyer, fitted with an amphibious loading dock and two flight decks, including an adjustable ski jump that the British are so fond of.
Here is a link showing a sketch of the UXF. Also indexed to this link is an article describing the rail gun that BAE built for the Navy - if the DD(X) program is completed, the last ships of the class will be fitted with something twice as powerful as this. *drool*
USS Orleck has been repaired from the damage sustained during Hurricane Rita, and a while back I reported that the museum was able to obtain some materials from USS Des Moines before she was scrapped. I contacted Steve Phillips, President of the USS Orleck DD-886 Naval Museum, and he was kind of enough to reply to let me know that they obtained smaller items such as lights, battle helmets, and mess trays. Thank you Mr. Phillips!
Hey there everyone - a few notes. One, I have quite a bit of military and museum news to post about. As of right now, I have over a week's worth of blogs already to go, and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. For those who are only interested in what is going on in my life, I apologize for the amount of military stuff you are going to have to put up with.
This second part is for everyone out there who in all honestly probably have never even heard of this blog. Seriously people, just because it is the holiday season doesn't mean that we need to go around acting like complete idiots AND douche bags. The world has enough douche bags in it already. I know this time of year is stressful, but your needs are not so important as to start yelling and swearing at people for no reason whatsoever. Life isn't fair? Get over it.
Grumble.
I should have posted about this a long time ago. This one kind of hits close to home, considering the archives I care for sits underwater.
Earlier this year, the Soviet guided missile boat K-77 sunk after receiving damage from a Nor easter (someone was running a marathon through this I believe...) The Navy has agreed to step in to help raise the boat, but until the sub is off the bottom, no one can say what her future will be. Hopefully the boat can be salvaged as a museum and won't be sent to be scrapped. Ideally, the ship could be hauled on shore and displayed in a dry berth to prevent her from sinking again - after all, she is a Soviet built boat.
After initially grounding the fleet of early model F-15s (C-D models), the Air Force has grounded the F-15E Strike Eagle, grounding all models of the F-15 in US service after a mid-air breakup of an Eagle in Missouri on November 2. The cause of the accident was a structural failure, and is currently being investigated by the Air Force and Boeing, who bought McDonnell Douglas, who in turn developed and built the jet. The F-15E Eagles in forward deployed combat zone can be used in emergencies if are needed.
If the cause of the accident turns out to be a design problem experienced fleet wide, it may force a change in procurement of replacements, including the F-22A Raptor and the still-not-ready F-35 Lightning II.
The Eagle is currently undefeated in USAF service, with no units being lost to enemy fire.
When Arleigh Burke was commissioned, the ship's namesake spoke to the plankowners of the vessel: "This ship is built to fight; you had better know how." While this may be true, it has become apparent that the Burke class ships were not built to last.
An article from Jane's claims that there are serious structural defects in the class, which are the only operational destroyers in US inventory currently. In October the Navy stated that quite a few of the class of 51 ships of the class had hull buckling from loads that are higher than were designed for. The problem seems to be limited to the forward section of the ship, as rough seas slamming on the ship have warped the main transverse bulkhead beams and some of the cribbing. Repairs and strengthening are ongoing, as the Navy has approved a $62 million "bow-strengthening backfit" for "local buckling of deck transverse beams".
I picked this bit up from an article Jane's posted at the beginning of the month.
The third LCS was cance
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