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segunda-feira, 30 de junho de 2008

NOVA EDIÇÃO DE BASE MILITAR WEB MAGAZINE

veja em www.basemilitar.com.br


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> Nesta edição destacamos:
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> *Veja como foi esta Edição da UNITAS no Brasil
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> Um dia à bordo do USS George Washington
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> Conheça o USS Farragut por dentro
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> USCG Northland: Um "Cutter" no Brasil
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> Voe com a Alide no P3 da US Navy
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> 15 novos Videos Exclusivos *

quarta-feira, 25 de junho de 2008

O PAÍS ESTÁ VULNERAVEL

Quarta-Feira, 25 de Junho de 2008


''O País está vulnerável''

Julio de Moura Neto: comandante da Marinha; almirante diz que Força não pode estar presente onde precisa e que, para isso, espera liberação de verba contingenciada

Tânia Monteiro, BRASÍLIA


No momento em que os preços do petróleo disparam no mundo, o Brasil descobre novas e valiosas reservas em sua costa e a Nigéria se vê obrigada a fechar seu principal campo petrolífero após ataques de grupos rebeldes, o comandante da Marinha, almirante Julio de Moura Neto, adverte que o Brasil precisa aumentar a segurança em suas bacias. "Estamos vulneráveis", diz. "É impossível, com os meios que temos hoje, estarmos presentes onde precisamos.''

O almirante defendeu a duplicação da frota de navios-patrulha, passando dos atuais 27 para 54. Segundo ele, a Marinha também está empenhada na construção de submarinos e no prosseguimento de seu programa nuclear, outras de suas prioridades. "Pode dizer que o País está vulnerável, porque não tem a quantidade de meios suficientes para se fazer presente em toda a área de responsabilidade, principalmente nas proximidades de todos os campos de petróleo", afirmou ele ao Estado, depois de tentar minimizar a preocupação com a reativação da quarta frota norte-americana, para patrulhar as águas do Atlântico. Mas avisou que o Brasil não aceitará, "em hipótese alguma", interferência em assuntos internos.

Houve mudança no plano de reequipamento da Marinha para poder proteger os novos campos de petróleo?

Tenho defendido a importância de a Marinha ter seus navios e estar equipada para tomar conta das nossas águas jurisdicionais que têm petróleo, gás, muita pesca, uma quantidade enorme de interesses, além do tráfico marítimo. Essas descobertas na camada pré-sal só reforçam a necessidade de a Marinha ter navios em número suficiente para se fazer presente.

Quais as prioridades?

A prioridade nº 1 são os submarinos; a segunda, a construção de navios-patrulha para podermos estar junto às plataformas de petróleo, cumprindo a missão constitucional da Marinha. Precisamos continuar a construção dos submarinos convencionais e chegar à do submarino de propulsão nuclear. São armas de grande persuasão e o poder naval necessita delas. A Marinha considera de fundamental importância continuar construindo submarinos convencionais para não perder toda a qualificação que nós obtivemos na construção dos submarinos convencionais no Brasil.

Os recursos prometidos estão assegurados?

Os R$ 130milhões (para o programa nuclear) que o presidente prometeu estão inseridos no orçamento da Marinha, que é de R$ 1,976 bilhão, este ano. Houve um contingenciamento de R$ 400 milhões e temos muitas esperanças de que tudo será liberado a curto prazo. Mas estamos querendo ainda uma verba extra-orçamentária de R$ 330 milhões para outras necessidades da Força. Queremos ter de volta o que estava previsto na lei orçamentária, R$ 2,177 bilhões, e foi retirado por causa da perda da CPMF. Com esse total esperamos cumprir exatamente o que planejamos.

E o dinheiro dos royalties?

Temos R$ 3,2 bilhões (atrasados a receber). São recursos que têm sido contingenciados. Este ano, a previsão de arrecadação é de R$ 1,7 bilhão e, desse total, cerca de R$ 1 bilhão já está no Orçamento. Se uma parte desse dinheiro fosse liberada, dava para construir todos os navios que nós precisamos. Queremos 27 navios-patrulha. E queremos mais R$ 100 milhões para iniciar o programa e, durante os anos seguintes, precisamos continuar recebendo o mesmo valor. Cada navio custa R$ 80 milhões. Eles vão atender não só às bacias do Rio de Janeiro, mas de Vitória, Campos, Santos, Sergipe, entre outras. Mas estamos certos de que, a exemplo do que houve no ano passado, teremos todo o dinheiro contingenciado liberado.

Quando esses navios podem ser adquiridos?

Em julho vamos abrir um processo licitatório para a construção de quatro navios-patrulha de 500 toneladas. Já é o primeiro passo para chegar ao número que necessitamos. Precisamos desses navios para estarmos permanentemente junto às plataformas de petróleo, que estão cada vez mais distantes. Todos serão construídos aqui e a média de tempo para um navio-patrulha ficar pronto é de dois anos e meio.

Com o poder naval de que dispõe, o Brasil tem condições de proteger seus campos de petróleo?

Mesmo para o caso da Bacia de Campos, que é mais próxima do litoral, nossos navios-patrulha não são suficientes. À medida que formos para bacias cada vez mais distantes, precisaremos de ter mais navios. É impossível com os meios que temos hoje estarmos presentes onde precisamos.

E o pessoal da Marinha está treinado para proteger as plataformas de petróleo?

Temos feito os treinamentos, inclusive de proteção às plataformas, de comum acordo com a Petrobrás. São exercícios de várias formas, de retomada e resgate de plataforma, usando tropas de fuzileiros navais ou mergulhadores de combate.

Os Estados Unidos, justamente agora que o Brasil está descobrindo seguidas reservas de petróleo, anunciaram o retorno da quarta frota. Há temor de reativação dessa quarta frota?

A quarta frota está sendo reativada para cumprir uma missão que eles já fazem, por meio da segunda frota, que consideravam que estava sobrecarregada. Os dois países têm um relacionamento absolutamente correto no plano diplomático. As Marinhas se respeitam. Portanto, não há preocupação maior.

Mas vamos admitir que eles dêem palpite aqui, que andem por aqui.

Na política externa, o Brasil defende a autodeterminação dos povos, não-intervenção em assuntos internos e a busca pacífica da solução de controvérsias. Assim como defendemos isso, queremos ser tratados dessa forma. Que os outros países do mundo respeitem exatamente esses mesmos princípios. Os Estados Unidos têm dado todas as garantias de que respeitarão todas as figuras jurídicas, criadas na Lei do Mar, por meio da Convenção das Nações Unidas para o Direito do Mar. E isso envolve as zonas econômicas exclusivas, onde os Estados costeiros têm direito exclusivo de explorar os recursos vivos e não-vivos do mar, do solo e do subsolo. E os EUA têm manifestado, permanentemente, o respeito a essa convenção.

Mas o País aceitará interferência?

Em hipótese alguma. Assim como propalamos a não-intervenção nos assuntos internos, a autodeterminação dos povos e a busca da solução pacífica de controvérsias, exigimos ser tratados assim

sexta-feira, 20 de junho de 2008

UK The Demise of our Merchant Navy

The Demise of our Merchant Navy - A naval officer speaks out


BRITAIN’S Merchant Navy has a proud history from the days of armed merchantmen to the invaluable support they provided in the wars of the last century.

Britain used to have one of the greatest merchant fleets in the world, with vessels plying their trade all over the globe. Sadly this is no longer the case because new international laws have changed the Merchant Navy beyond recognition.

Successive British governments have accepted these laws with no regard for the consequences to British jobs in the industry and the reduced merchant tonnage now operating with British crews.
It is the International Maritime Organisation which is behind the changes, introducing new legislation which favours Third World tonnage and seafarers.

Initially, training and certification was governed by the Standards of Training and Certification of Watch Keepers which came into force in 1978. This laid down the minimum qualifications required for the certification of marine professionals. These rules served our fleet well and allowed the certification of officers and men in accordance with our trade requirements.

The British fleet had three areas of operation, namely Home Trade (coastal areas including the Irish Sea, North Sea and local trading areas), Middle Trade which covered to the Mediterranean and Black Sea and Foreign Going.

Under the regulations it was possible for people to train and obtain qualifications which would allow them to sail in their relevant level in whichever area of operation they chose. But then the International Maritime Organisation decreed that revisions were needed to harmonise the certificate structures worldwide.

The tonnage limit of coastal vessels was reduced from the original 5000 and 1500 limits to a paltry 500, which has no practical use at all. The limited European Trading Area was revised to Near Coastal which limits people qualified in this area to 150 nautical miles off the UK coast and 30 nautical miles off Eire, where previously it allowed people to navigate vessels across the whole North Sea.

The changes have led to a shortage of qualified personnel and this gap is now being filled by mariners from Third World countries. They benefit from lower costs, reduced college fees and adaptations to the current legislation which favour their naval organisations. These people often have limited English which presents a danger in itself.

Our Merchant fleet is coming to the end of its days because the Government is not standing up and defending the industry.

In the not too distant future, all seafarer, shore-based ship pilot and associated jobs will be filled by foreigners, and one of Britain’s great institutions and the skills that go with it will have been lost forever.

This report appears in the June issue of the British National Party’s monthly newspaper, Freedom

L'image : L'étrave de la frégate Chevalier Paul lancée à pleine puissance

L'image : L'étrave de la frégate Chevalier Paul lancée à pleine puissance


crédits : © PHILIP PLISSON


20/06/2008

Une frégate de 7000 tonnes lancée à pleine puissance et atteignant 31 noeuds dans des creux de 2 mètres, le tout dans une superbe lumière de fin de journée... Derrière son objectif, le photographe Philip Plisson a immortalisé cette scène somptueuse au cours des essais en mer du Chevalier Paul, réalisé en avril entre l'île de Groix et les Glénan. La frégate, fraîchement sortie des chantiers DCNS de Lorient, testait alors la Puissance Maximale de Propulsion dans une mer légèrement agitée. Les images, superbes, prises par Philip Plisson, sont à découvrir au sein du reportage mis en ligne sur le site du célèbre photographe, qui fait également partie du corps des Peintres de la Marine.
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- VOIR LE REPORTAGE SUR LE SITE PLISSON.COM


Philip Plisson photographiant le Chavalier Paul (© : PLISSON.COM)

Une femme prend le commandement de l'aviso Commandant Bouan

Une femme prend le commandement de l'aviso Commandant Bouan

L'aviso Commandant Bouan
crédits : MARINE NATIONALE


20/06/2008

C'est le premier commandement féminin pour un navire de combat à Toulon. Le 27 juin, le capitaine de corvette Christine Alain prendra la tête de l'équipage du Commandant Bouan. L'aviso, le plus récent du type A69 (1984), est armé par 89 marins. Long de 80.5 mètres pour un déplacement de 1400 tonnes en charge, il dispose d'un armement relativement conséquent pour une unité de cette taille. Il peut en effet embarquer 4 missiles Exocet MM40, un système Simbad (missiles à courte portée Mistral), venant s'ajouter à une tourelle de 100 mm, deux canons de 20 mm, quatre mitrailleuses de 12.7 mm et quatre tubes lance-torpilles.
Le Cdt Bouan a fait beaucoup parler de lui en avril lors de la prise d'otage du Ponant, en océan Indien. Le navire avait été le premier à rejoindre le voilier de luxe, détourné par des pirates somaliens.
On notera qu'à Brest, un aviso de la même classe, le Commandant L'Herminier, a lui aussi une femme pour « Pacha ». Il s'agit du capitaine de corvette Claire Potier.

quarta-feira, 18 de junho de 2008

Navio-Escola Brasil realiza a XXII Viagem de Instrução de Guardas-Marinha O Navio-Escola “Brasil” realiza, a partir deste sábado, 21 de jun

Navio-Escola Brasil realiza a

XXII Viagem de Instrução de Guardas-Marinha

O Navio-Escola “Brasil” realiza, a partir deste sábado, 21 de junho, a XXII Viagem de Instrução de Guardas-Marinha. A cerimônia de despedida do navio será realizada no dia 20 de junho, sexta-feira, na Base Almirante Castro e Silva, a partir das 11h, e contará com a presença de diversas autoridades civis e militares, entre elas o Vice-Presidente da República, José Alencar, o Ministro da Defesa, Nelson Jobim, e o Comandante da Marinha, Almirante-de-Esquadra Julio Soares de Moura Neto.

A Viagem de Instrução é realizada anualmente, a fim de complementar, de forma prática, os conhecimentos teóricos adquiridos na Escola Naval, onde os Guardas-Marinha (GM) habilitaram-se nos Corpos da Armada, Fuzileiros Navais e Intendência, e melhorar suas formações culturais. Durante a viagem – considerada o último ciclo na formação do futuro oficial de Marinha – são ministradas aulas práticas de Navegação, Meteorologia, Marinharia, Operações Navais, Controle de Avarias, Administração Naval e Liderança, bem como possibilita a participação ativa dos GM na vida de bordo do navio.

Este ano, a Viagem de Instrução de Guardas-Marinha observará o seguinte roteiro: Fortaleza, Lisboa (Portugal), Londres (Inglaterra), Barcelona (Espanha), Marselha (França), Civitavecchia (Itália), Tunis (Tunísia), Pireu (Grécia), Alexandria (Egito), Bombaim (Índia), Cingapura (Cingapura), Inchon (Coréia), Shangai (China), Tóquio (Japão), Honolulu (EUA), Long Beach (EUA), Acapulco (México), Cartagena (Colômbia) e Salvador; chegando, no dia 21 de dezembro, ao Rio de Janeiro.

Ao visitar os portos no exterior, além de mostrar a Bandeira, o navio contribui para o estreitamento dos laços de amizade com as nações amigas. Neste sentido, são programados eventos culturais, como exposições e a apresentação da Música Popular Brasileira pelos músicos militares componentes da tripulação.

O Comandante do Navio-Escola “BRASIL” é o Capitão-de-Mar-e-Guerra CID AUGUSTO CLARO JUNIOR, que assumiu o cargo em 18 de janeiro de 2008. A tripulação é composta por 30 Oficiais, 218 Praças e 158 Guardas-Marinha. Participam, ainda, como convidados, um Oficial do Exército Brasileiro, um Oficial da Força Aérea Brasileira, dois integrantes da Marinha Mercante Nacional e, até o presente momento, foram confirmados os Oficiais convidados das Marinhas dos Estados Unidos, Argentina, Chile, Peru, México, Venezuela, África do Sul, Índia, China, Japão, Portugal, França, Espanha, Holanda e Reino Unido.

O Navio-Escola “Brasil” foi construído a partir de projeto desenvolvido pela Diretoria de Engenharia Naval da Marinha do Brasil. Sua construção foi iniciada em setembro de 1981, com o batimento da quilha no Arsenal de Marinha do Rio de Janeiro. O Navio foi lançado ao mar em setembro de 1983 e incorporado à Marinha em 21 de agosto de 1986, ocasião em que foi transferido à Esquadra. O índice médio de nacionalização, atingido ao final da construção, foi de 60%.

Et ce qui pourrait remplacer les avisos

Et ce qui pourrait remplacer les avisos

La frégate de surveillance Prairial
crédits : ©Marine Nationale


18/06/2008

La flotte de surface française sera donc limitée, en ce qui concerne les frégates, à 18 navires de premier rang, y compris les frégates légères furtives du type La Fayette. La série des Frégates Européennes Multi-Missions (FREMM) sera réduite à 11 exemplaires au maximum, dont deux à vocation antiaérienne. Initialement, la marine souhaitait profiter de ce programme pour remplacer l'ensemble de ses 18 frégates et avisos par une nouvelle série homogène de bâtiments. La flotte aurait vu son tonnage augmenté mais l'effet de série et un rythme de production rapide devaient réduire considérablement le coût d'acquisition. Avec l'abandon d'un gros tiers du programme et un probable étalement dans le temps de la cadence de livraison des bateaux commandés, il reste maintenant à voir qui, des économies ou des surcoûts, sera finalement au rendez-vous.
La réduction du nombre de FREMM pose, désormais, le problème du remplacement des 9 avisos actuels, types de bâtiments qu'on appellerait corvettes ou même frégates dans d'autres marines. Longs de 80 mètres pour un déplacement de 1400 tonnes en charge (contre 142 mètres et 6000 tonnes pour FREMM), ces navires commencent à vieillir sérieusement. Les plus anciens affichent un âge de 28 ans et les plus récents de 24 ans. S'il n'est pas possible d'inscrire leurs remplaçants dans la loi de programmation militaire qui sera votée à l'automne, il faudra impérativement le faire sur la prochaine LPM, c'est-à-dire en 2014.
Pour succéder aux « A69 », la piste des corvettes Gowind de DCNS serait d'ores et déjà exclue, ces navires étant considérés comme trop onéreux. On imagine qu'il en sera de même pour la nouvelle frégate de l'industriel, la FM400, bâtiment de 4000 tonnes destiné à renouveler la famille La Fayette.
Les marins seraient donc à la recherche d'un bâtiment « hauturier, robuste, rustique et pas cher ». La possibilité présentée par certains constructeurs d'adapter une coque dérivée des navires offshores ne suscite guère d'enthousiasme. « Ce qu'il faut c'est un navire de guerre, avec des capacités modestes certes, mais un navire de guerre quand même », explique un officier. Sans que le concept soit encore très poussé, les esprits s'orienteraient plutôt vers ce qu'on commence à appeler la « super Floréal », en référence aux six frégates de surveillance construites aux Chantiers de l'Atlantique entre 1992 et 1994. Longs de 93.5 mètres pour un déplacement de 3000 tonnes, ces bâtiments construits suivant les normes civiles présentent une grande autonomie à la mer. Ils disposent d'un armement léger mais suffisant (missiles Exocet, système surface-air Simbad, canons de 100 mm et 20 mm) et peuvent embarquer un hélicoptère.
Le remplacement des avisos n'en est, toutefois, qu'au stade de la réflexion. Avec la réforme du ministère de la Défense et la nouvelle stratégie détaillée dans le Livre Blanc, la marine a déjà, comme les autres armées, du pain sur la planche.
Ce qu'on entend par 18 frégates de premier rang

L'Aconit, une frégate du type La Fayette
crédits : MARINE NATIONALE


18/06/2008

Comme nous l'avons déjà évoqué, suivant le Livre Blanc sur la Défense, le format de la flotte de surface comprendra, à l'horizon 2020, 18 frégates de premier rang. Mais, si le chiffre était connu depuis plusieurs semaines, il subsistait des doutes quant à sa composition exacte. Première confirmation, les cinq frégates légères furtives (FLF) de la classe La Fayette, jusqu'ici considérées comme des unités de second rang, repassent bel et bien dans la catégorie des bâtiments de premier rang. Mis en service entre 1996 et 2001, ces navires de 125 mètres de long et 3200 tonnes en charge n'embarquent pourtant qu'un équipement relativement léger. En dehors de 8 missiles antinavire Exocet MM40, le reste de leur armement n'est constitué que de moyens d'autodéfense : un système surface-air à courte portée Crotale CN2, une pièce de 100 mm et quatre mitrailleuses de 12.7 mm. Elles sont par ailleurs dépourvues de tout système de lutte anti-sous-marine, qu'il s'agisse de sonar ou de torpilles.
Nous n'évoquerons pas le cas des plus récentes frégates du type F70, telles les La Motte-Picquet et Latouche-Tréville, qui seront désarmées au début des années 2020, pour nous attacher uniquement sur les nouvelles unités.
Aux deux frégates de Défense aérienne du type Horizon (153 mètres, 7000 tonnes), il faudra ajouter les nouvelles frégates multi-missions (142 mètres, 6000 tonnes). Huit ont pour le moment été commandées, dont six à vocation anti-sous-marine (ASM) et deux à vocation action vers la terre (AVT). L'histoire de FREMM ne s'achèvera donc pas avec l'Alsace et la Lorraine puisque, suivant le nouveau format, trois autres bâtiments devraient logiquement être construits pour atteindre le nombre de 18 frégates. Deux d'entre-eux seront une version antiaérienne de la FREMM et remplaceront les Cassard et Jean Bart. La troisième et dernière frégate sera soit une AVT, soit une ASM.

Livre Blanc : Le format de la marine à l'Horizon 2020

Livre Blanc : Le format de la marine à l'Horizon 2020


crédits : MARINE NATIONALE - Patrick FROMENTIN


17/06/2008

A l'occasion de la présentation du Livre Blanc sur la défense par Nicolas Sarkozy, on devrait connaître, aujourd'hui, le futur format retenu pour la flotte française. Les effectifs devraient être ramenés à 44.100 militaires et civils, contre 53.500 personnels actuellement (*). La Marine nationale compte, à ce jour, 5300 officiers, 30.000 officiers mariniers, 10.000 quartier-maîtres et matelots, ainsi que 10.000 civils. L'institution perdrait donc plus de 8000 hommes, ce qui semble très important compte tenu de la réorganisation déjà opérée dans les années 90.
Côté matériels, en ligne avec les différentes informations ayant « fuité » ces dernières semaines, la flotte devrait aligner, à l'horizon 2020, les unités suivantes :
La Force Océanique Stratégique (FOST) conserverait ses moyens, avec quatre sous-marins nucléaires lanceurs d'engins (SNLE) et six sous-marins nucléaires d'attaque (SNA).
Le porte-avions et son groupe aérien embarqué seraient maintenu. La décision de construire ou non un second bâtiment de ce type serait en revanche, et comme pressenti, reportée à 2011 ou 2012. La question du mode de propulsion (classique ou nucléaire), devrait par ailleurs être remise au goût du jour (**).
En matière de frégates, la marine nationale disposerait de 18 navires « de premier rang ». Le programme FREMM semblant devoir être réduit à 10 ou 11 unités, y compris deux bâtiments antiaériens, il restera à trancher la question du remplacement des avisos. Les 19 FREMM et FREDA devaient, en effet, succéder aux 9 frégates anti-sous-marines, 2 frégates antiaériennes et 9 avisos actuellement en service. Afin de compenser le départ des avisos, une nouvelle classe de navires plus petits que les FREMM verra sans doute le jour. Le Livre Blanc prévoirait un « renouvellement complet des frégates et SNA à l'horizon 2025 ». Les objectifs fixés pour 2020 comprendraient donc des unités d'ancienne génération, comme les La Motte-Picquet et Latouche-Tréville.
En matière de projection de forces, outre le groupe aéronaval, la marine devrait compter, en 2020, quatre grands navires type Bâtiments de projection et de commandement (BPC). On peut supposer qu'à cette date, les transports de chalands de débarquement (TCD) Foudre et Sirocco, qui auront alors entre 22 et 30 ans, seront remplacés par deux nouvelles unités.

Les missions

Les missions dévolues à la marine ne devraient pas considérablement évoluer par rapport à celles qu'elle assure déjà. Assurer la permanence à la mer de la FOST resterait sa priorité majeure. Elle devra en outre assurer la surveillance et le contrôle des approches maritimes, conduire l'action de l'Etat en mer. Capable de se déployer outre-mer dans les zones où la France compte des intérêts stratégiques, comme l'Afrique de l'ouest, l'océan Indien et le golfe Persique, elle devra sécuriser les voies de navigation (et donc d'approvisionnement) ou encore mener des opérations de contre terrorisme. Elle devrait, à cet effet, pouvoir mettre en oeuvre une force de réaction autonome à même d'assurer une projection de force, des évacuations de ressortissants ou des opérations humanitaires.
le renouvellement des moyens navals français s'intégrera dans les grandes priorités fixées par l'Etat, en fonction des ressources financières du pays et des priorités. Deux grandes phases seraient prévues. La première, s'étalant de 2009 à 2015, mettrait l'accent sur la connaissance et l'anticipation (renseignement, moyens satellitaires...), la modernisation des forces aéroterrestres, la modernisation progressive des moyens aériens puis des composantes navales en matière de frégates anti-sous-marines et de SNA. L'avion de transport (A400 M) et l'aéromobilité (hélicoptères) feraient également partie de cette première phase. A partir de 2015 et jusqu'en 2025, il serait ensuite prévu d'accélérer le renouvellement de la flotte de surface, de poursuivre la modernisation de l'outil aérien (avions, drones) et de renforcer la capacité de frappe de précision en profondeur (missile de croisière).
Les grandes lignes du Livre Blanc, qui seront présentées aujourd'hui par le chef de l'Etat, seront détaillées, en pratique, dans les prochaines semaines. Hervé Morin, ministre de la Défense, devrait être plus précis, en juillet, sur la réorganisation des armées et l'évolution des moyens. Il conviendra également d'attendre l'élaboration de la nouvelle loi de programmation militaire, prévue à l'automne, et son respect, évidemment, dans les années qui viennent.
Dans les 12 prochaines années, l'effort budgétaire alloué à la Défense devrait être maintenu à son niveau actuel pour atteindre un total de 377 milliards d'euros. Il s'agit donc d'un effort important, équivalent, à titre de comparaison, au coût de construction de 150 porte-avions (hors TVA).
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(*) Le format général des armées passerait à 224.000 postes, contre 271.000 actuellement. Les effectifs de l'armée de Terre tomberaient à 131.000 hommes (contre 144.000) et ceux de l'armée de l'Air à 50.000 hommes (contre 64.000). Plus de 7000 postes budgétaires seraient en outre supprimés à la délégation générale pour l'armement (DGA) et dans les administrations. D'ici 2015, les effectifs du ministère de la Défense devraient donc avoir fondu de 54.000 postes budgétaires (sur un total de 320.000 aujourd'hui).

(**) Voir notre article sur le PA2

UMA REPORTAGEM PortoGente embarca na Escola de Aprendizes-Marinheiros

PortoGente embarca na Escola de Aprendizes-Marinheiros
Texto publicado em 17 de Junho de 2008 - 01h38
Andréa Margon
reportagem

A Marinha do Brasil é a mais antiga das Forças Armadas do País. E a Escola de Aprendizes-Marinheiros (Eames) uma das mais tradicionais. A primeira, no Espírito Santo, surgiu e 1862. Para saber um pouco mais deste universo, PortoGente visitou a unidade, localizada na Enseada de Inhoã, no município de Vila Velha.

Já “embarcado”, PortoGente se deparou com uma estrutura organizada e repleta de alunos e professores. O corre-corre é comum. A pressa na realização das tarefas dá um ar de eterno movimento a escola.

Mas, a Eames nem sempre foi nesse local. A primeira escola foi instalada nas dependências do antigo Forte de São Francisco Xavier de Piratininga, sob a administração do capitão-tenente José Lopes de Sá. Hoje, o forte abriga o 38º Batalhão de Infantaria.

Mas, qual a missão de uma Escola de Aprendizes-Marinheiros? Ela destina-se a formação de marinheiros para o Corpo de Praças da Armada. Depois de formados, eles passam a fazer parte da Marinha do Brasil.

Em entrevista ao PortoGente, o atual administrador da Eames, comandante Marcelo Pamplona, fala que o País conta com quatro unidades: Escola de Aprendizes-Marinheiros do Ceará, em Fortaleza (Eamce); Escola de Aprendizes-Marinheiros de Pernambuco, em Recife (Eampe); Escola de Aprendizes-Marinheiros de Santa Catarina, em Florianópolis (Eamsc); e Escola de Aprendizes-Marinheiros do Espírito Santo, em Vitória (Eames). Mas, já forram em maior número.

O Curso de Formação de Marinheiros se destina à preparação

para o Corpo de Praças da Armada e tem duração de um ano

Segundo ele, a Marinha é diferente do exército e da aeronáutica. A formação do seu pessoal é feita pela própria instituição. Prova disso é que somente a Marinha tem escola, as outras duas Forças Armadas, não. “A carreira é planejada. Pode chegar a oficial”.

Anualmente, é realizada seleção pública de âmbito nacional, onde os concorrentes devem ter entre 18 e 21 anos. Antes da criação do Estatuto da Criança e adolescente a idade era inferior, entretanto, a Escola conta com diversas disciplinas, dentre elas, o manuseio de armas, o que é proibido pela Lei. Além da limitação da faixa etária, para ingressar nas Escolas de Aprendizes-Marinheiros é necessário que o candidato tenha o ensino fundamental completo, dentre outros pontos.

A oferta de vagas anualmente acontece após análise de cada unidade de ensino da Marinha. Dependendo da necessidade, os números são distribuídos e os aprovados alocados. A Eames, este ano, ofereceu 425 vagas. A escola tem capacidade para alojar 600 estudantes e suas salas de aula abrigam, em média, 45 alunos, a maioria do Rio de Janeiro. “A procura por parte dos capixabas é pequena”.

O comandante Pamplona diz que a evasão fica em 10% a cada ano e que, por muitas vezes, deve-se a baixa aptidão acadêmica. “A maioria conclui o ensino fundamental através de cursos supletivos. Aqui, além das disciplinas navais, oferecemos reforço escolar. Damos, inclusive, oportunidade para que o aluno faça o ensino médio, necessário para aqueles que querem concorrer (no futuro), internamente, ao cargo de sargento”.

Curso

O Curso de Formação de Marinheiros (C-FMN) se destina à preparação para o Corpo de Praças da Armada (CPA) e tem duração de um ano, sob o regime de internato. Durante este período, além das aulas previstas no currículo, são realizadas palestras e projeções de vídeo sobre o Poder Naval e diversas atividades necessárias à adaptação do aluno à vida militar.

O currículo do C-FMN é constituído pelas disciplinas do Ensino Profissional Básico (EPB) e do Ensino Militar-Naval (EMN). O C-FMN é ministrado em dois períodos, estando o aluno nas seguintes condições: 1º período - Aprendiz-Marinheiro (AM) e 2º período - Grumete (GR). Desde o início do curso são ensinados e cobrados dos alunos os princípios básicos da carreira militar, que são hierarquia e disciplina. As duas primeiras semanas são chamadas de adaptação e os alunos ficam em regime de internato.

Depois de 12 meses, o aluno será designado para servir a bordo de navio ou organização militar da Marinha do Brasil, em qualquer parte do território nacional, onde cumprirá um Estágio Inicial (EI), destinado à avaliação do desempenho.

A Eames tem muitas outras atividades, incluindo uma clínica médica. De acordo com o comandante Pamplona, cerca de cinco mil pessoas, em todo o estado do Espírito Santo, são atendidas – militares da Capitania dos Portos e seus familiares, e os inativos e pensionistas também.

domingo, 15 de junho de 2008

COLLINS CLASS(AUSTRALIA) FACES FINAL TEST

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Collins Class Faces Final Test

We have heard stories in the past where the Collins class has been successful in exercises against US aircraft carriers. Exercises often carry conditions that allow for successful maneuvers against US forces, but they also allow for realistic conditions to prove various elements of a ships technology. RIMPAC 2008 looks like it will be utilized to prove the combat systems of the Collins class submarine. From The Australian:

The navy is nervously awaiting the performance of HMAS Waller under fire, hoping the submarine's new combat system will hold up and end one of thedarkest chapters in Australian defence.

HMAS Waller will participate in the world's largest maritime exercise, RIMPAC 08, as part of war games involving 10 nations over five weeks from June 27.

HMAS Waller is the first of the navy's six submarines to befitted with the so-called Replacement Combat System, ending a six-year, billion-dollar fiasco caused by the failure of theinitial submarine combat systems.

The flawed combat system was the most serious defect of the Collins-class submarine project and has prevented the fleet from achieving maximum performance during its first 15 years of operation.

The new combat system by Raytheon is modelled on that developed for US navy nuclear submarines with slight modifications for Australian conditions.

It aims to combine the submarine's various arrays of sonars, periscopes, radars and other sensors into a single plotting solution for the commander, making the submarine a far more deadly opponent.
Unlike other conventionally powered submarines, the Collins is a true fleet submarine. The class was designed for long deployments, and while the Collins class has been plagued by numerous problems, the combat system is the last piece to be corrected among the many issues the submarines have had.

If the combat system is successful, this should put the Collins class in the same category as the Oyashio class, which is considered by most experts to be the best conventionally powered submarine in the world.

France eyes defence EU transport, naval moves

France eyes defence EU transport, naval moves

Sun 15 Jun 2008, 13:42 GMT
[-] Text [+]

By Yves Clarisse

PARIS, June 15 (Reuters) - France will propose launching a European Union aircraft carrier group and a joint fleet of military transporters as part of efforts later this year to boost the EU military, French defence officials said.

The fate of other French proposals for closer defence cooperation was unclear after Ireland's rejection last week of a key EU reform treaty intended to facilitate better coordination of policy among European nations.

France takes on the presidency of the EU in two weeks and President Nicolas Sarkozy has flagged that he sees bolstering Europe's defence capacity as a precondition for a return to NATO's military structures after a four-decade absence.

Aides close to Defence Minister Herve Morin said negotiations with Britain were well-advanced on creating a European naval group based around either a French or British aircraft carrier permanently on the sea.

Other nations could then contribute frigates, submarines or refuelling vessels as required, the aides said.

Separately, Paris wants to fill longstanding gaps in air transport that have dogged European military operations by creating a fleet of the A400M heavy airlifter which defence group EADS will roll out later this month.

The project would operate on a timeshare basis allowing states to buy operational hours as required, a Morin aide said.

In Berlin, a government spokesman said Germany was prepared to consider proposals it expects French President Nicolas Sarkozy to unveil to create a European Union naval fleet. There was already a joint Franco-British initiative for a fleet, and Germany could play a part in this, pending an assessment of the plans, he said. How large the fleet could be, or when it might be created, was impossible to say, he added.

"We'll have to wait and see what sort of proposals the French presidency unveils," a Defence Ministry spokesman said.

MILITARY CULTURE

France and Britain announced earlier this year a plan to upgrade Europe's fleet of helicopters to allow them to operate in harsh conditions such as in Afghanistan and Chad, where Western security missions have suffered shortages of air assets.

The French defence officials said they were also confident of launching a European satellite observation system that will subsequently be extended to space observation.

Other initiatives are likely to include military training exchanges that would allow, for example, Polish officers to complement their training in France and so help create a common European military culture.

Less certain is a French plan to create a common defence equipment market among a limited group of EU countries, building on existing EU efforts to prise open the bloc's jealously guarded national markets.

That plan was based on the assumption that the so-called Lisbon Treaty of EU reforms will come into force next year, something which is no longer sure after Irish voters rejected the project last Thursday.

Also unclear is whether Britain will back a French push for permanent facilities to plan EU defence operations, which at present are run out of temporary headquarters hastily assembled in whichever state is leading a given mission.

One French source said Paris no longer wanted to create a full-blown EU military headquarters but proposed simply a 50-head team that could be increased to 150 planners for the duration of a given operation. (Additional reporting by Dave Graham in Berlin; Writing by Mark John)

sábado, 14 de junho de 2008

CHILE ASMAR BUILT OPV "PILOTO PARDO"


The first Maritime Zone Patrol Vessel Piloto Pardo, built in ASMAR Talcahuano Shipyard, ended up her first test navigation on April 3, after verifying the performance of equipment and systems on board. On January 2008, dock trials were carried out and today the ships continues the finishing stage to be delivered on June 13 this year. During the trials, the ship sailed 81 hours and 20 hours were used for mooring trials. The ship sailed 555 nautical miles reaching the maximum speed during 47 hours. During the trials, the crew also proved the ship maneuverability, endurance, resistance and operational systems of the ship. The results that fulfilled the expectations of the owner and the performance defined in the contract.

Esquenta disputa pelos US$ 10 bi anuais do pré-sal

Taxas do petróleo que será retirado do fundo do mar já provoca briga entre ministérios, governos e municípios

Kelly Lima e Nicola Pamplona

O petróleo da chamada “camada pré-sal” ainda nem começou a ser extraído e a cada dia esquenta a disputa pela bilionária arrecadação de taxas governamentais que a nova província petrolífera vai representar.

Já existem projetos de criação de, pelo menos, cinco fundos para serem alimentados com recursos desses campos. As apostas são de uma gorda arrecadação, que pode superar os US$ 10 bilhões anuais, calculados a partir das projeções mais otimistas para o campo de Tupi, com produção de 1 milhão de barris por dia.

Somente na primeira fase do projeto, que prevê a produção de 500 mil barris de petróleo por dia entre 2015 e 2020, a arrecadação poderia chegar a US$ 5 bilhões por ano, mantidas as regras atuais, diz o consultor Rafael Schetchman, ex-superintendente da Agência Nacional do Petróleo (ANP). A conta foi feita com a cotação do petróleo a US$ 100 o barril e não considera o aumento na alíquota da participação especial sobre campos de alta rentabilidade, em estudo pela ANP.

No âmbito do governo federal, disputam a partilha de royalties e participações especiais o Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES), a Marinha, e os Ministérios da Fazenda, da Ciência e Tecnologia e de Minas e Energia. Esses ministérios já são contemplados hoje com recursos, mas têm propostas de elevar a participação, sob os mais diversos argumentos.

O ministro da Defesa, Nelson Jobim, por exemplo, quer um fundo para a Marinha garantir segurança às plataformas de produção instaladas na região do pré-sal, a mais de 300 quilômetros da costa. Há ainda uma proposta deixada em aberto pela ex-ministra do Meio Ambiente, Marina da Silva, para criação de um fundo de combate ao aquecimento mundial com recursos do petróleo.

“Dado o tamanho potencial dessa reserva de petróleo na camada sedimentar do pré-sal, devemos refletir sobre como usar esses recursos e não olhar apenas para a geração presente”, afirmou recentemente o presidente do BNDES, Luciano Coutinho, defendendo a criação de um fundo nos moldes dos chamados fundos soberanos, criados por países que têm no petróleo uma grande fonte de riqueza, como algumas nações árabes e a Noruega.

Esses fundos aplicam recursos em projetos internacionais e conseguem, assim, manter a riqueza gerada pela exploração do petróleo. Segundo o SWF Institute (especializado em fundos soberanos), cerca de dois terços dos ativos desses fundos estão relacionados com petróleo e gás natural: são US$ 2,142 trilhões, ou 63% a mais que o Produto Interno Bruto (PIB) brasileiro do ano passado.

Para o especialista em royalties Rodrigo Serra, da Universidade Cândido Mendes, a criação de fundos com os ganhos extras dos royalties é justa, uma vez que o petróleo, segundo a Constituição, pertence à União. Para ele, com a disparada do preço do petróleo, as cidades beneficiadas têm hoje receitas extraordinárias, que poderiam ser divididas entre os demais brasileiros.

O município de Campos (RJ), por exemplo, recebeu sozinho, em 2007, R$ 778 milhões. Ele lembra ainda que o aumento na participação especial vai ampliar a concentração de renda. Serra defende a criação de um teto de arrecadação por município, com redistribuição do excedente.

No âmbito estadual, a briga pela redistribuição tem envolvido troca de farpas entre os governos do Rio e de São Paulo. Capitaneado pelo senador Aloizio Mercadante (PT), está sendo elaborado um projeto para alterar as regras da arrecadação, beneficiando o Estado de São Paulo.

“Sugiro a esses (políticos) abraçarem bandeiras mais fortes, que toquem no coração do povo de seus estados”, rebateu esta semana o governador do Rio, Sérgio Cabral.

A legislação hoje divide os royalties entre Estados, municípios afetados e Ministério de Ciência e Tecnologia. Já a participação especial é repassada aos Ministérios do Meio Ambiente e de Minas e Energia, Estados e municípios. Segundo especialistas, o principal obstáculo à redistribuição está no fato de que qualquer mudança terá de ser feita pelo Congresso, abrindo espaço para que um sem número de emendas possa atravancar as discussões.

sexta-feira, 13 de junho de 2008

A bord du porte-avions USS Harry S. Truman

VEJA NO SITE www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=107692 uma completa reportagem sobre as operações do NAe Americano.Para os que gostam de fotografias,um prato feito.



A bord du porte-avions USS Harry S. Truman

Le porte-avions USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)
crédits : US NAVY


26/05/2008

Nous vous proposons aujourd'hui un reportage exclusif, réalisé la semaine dernière, en Méditerranée, à bord de l'USS Harry S. Truman (reportage photo en fin d'article). Après les sous-marins nucléaires lanceurs d'engins, ce bâtiment et ses sisterships sont ce que l'on peut considérer comme les plus puissantes machines de guerre imaginées par l'homme. Avec ses 332.84 mètres de long et ses 104.000 tonnes de déplacement, le CVN 75 a de quoi impressionner. Capable d'embarquer 70 avions et hélicoptères, le navire rejoindra début juin sa base de Norfolk, sur la côte Est des Etats-Unis. Il en était parti le 5 novembre pour une longue mission de 7 mois dans le golfe Persique, opération au cours de laquelle son groupe aérien embarqué a appuyé les troupes terrestres déployées en Irak. « Les missions duraient de 5 à 6 heures », explique le lieutenant Pete Langley, pilote de Super Hornet, qui a réalisé 31 missions au dessus de l'Irak. Si l'aéronavale américaine semble avoir tiré moins de bombes durant cette campagne que par le passé, les F/A-18 ont maintenu une présence dissuasive. « Nous passions au dessus des zones en faisant du bruit, de manière à ce qu'en bas, on sache que des avions étaient en l'air, prêts à intervenir en cas de besoin ».

Le porte-avions : une culture historique chez les Américains

Aux Etats-Unis, la population reste très sensible à l'image que représentent ces redoutables navires de combat. « Pour les gens, savoir que nous avons des porte-avions dans le monde donne un sentiment de sécurité ». La culture américaine du porte-avions remonte aux années 30. Protégés par deux océans, les USA semblent alors intouchables mais, dans le même temps, doivent pallier au problème de la mise en oeuvre de l'avion, dont on perçoit déjà le potentiel militaire, dans ces immenses espaces maritimes. Plusieurs bâtiments spécialisés dans l'emport d'appareils sont alors mis en chantier. L'intérêt de ces navires sera démontré de manière éclatante en décembre 1941, lorsque l'attaque de Pearl Harbor met hors de combat la flotte du Pacifique. Grâce à leurs porte-avions, les Japonais sont parvenus à déployer une force considérable à des milliers de kilomètres et à attaquer par surprise et en plein coeur leurs adversaires. La Navy retiendra la leçon. Par chance, les trois porte-avions américains alors en service échappent au raid nippon et c'est justement sur eux que la marine va s'appuyer pour débuter la reconquête du Pacifique. A la fin de la seconde guerre mondiale, les Américains aligneront une centaine de porte-avions lourds et de porte-avions d'escorte. Grâce à l'indispensable maîtrise des mers, ils assureront leurs approvisionnements, tout en privant leurs ennemis du leur, et seront à même de reprendre les territoires occupés par les Japonais.


L'USS Harry S. Truman et son groupe aéronaval (© : US NAVY)

Une arme toujours considérée comme indispensable

Soixante ans plus tard, la problématique ne semble pas avoir beaucoup évolué dans la stratégie américaine. Les Etats-Unis sont toujours bordés par deux océans et les zones d'opérations sont toujours aussi éloignées des bases nationales. Le centre de gravité géostratégique s'est déplacé vers l'océan Indien, le golfe et l'Asie, là où transitent l'essentiel des approvisionnements mondiaux en matières premières. Station service et première autoroute commerciale de la planète, la région est également très sensible, qu'il s'agisse de conflits latents entre pays riverains, de terrorisme ou de piraterie. Dans ce contexte, l'emploi des porte-avions reste, aux yeux des Américains, totalement indispensable. « Dès qu'il y a une crise, la première question est de savoir où est notre porte-avions le plus proche. Le porte-avions donne une énorme flexibilité. Nous pouvons opérer en toute liberté dans les eaux internationales, aller près du problème si nous voulons intervenir ou faire savoir que nous sommes là, ou bien, au contraire, aller plus loin et être moins visibles », explique le contre-amiral Mark Fox. Pour le commandant du « Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group », le porte-avions représente : « une importante capacité militaire et diplomatique, un outil majeur de la sécurité nationale et une grande flexibilité d'emploi ». Aux USA, on a coutume de dire qu'un bâtiment comme le CVN 75, c'est « 100.000 tonnes de diplomatie ». Secrétaire d'État sous Richard Nixon puis Gerald Ford, Henry Kissinger expliquait, quant à lui, que de « toutes les crises qu' (il avait) eu à gérer, l'emploi du porte-avions s'(était) révélé presqu'invariablement déterminant ». Offrant des capacités militaires très importantes, avec l'emport d'armements conventionnels et nucléaires sur ses chasseurs-bombardiers, le porte-avions permet souvent, par sa seule présence, d'apaiser les tensions. Le concept est simple : Tout agresseur potentiel doit y réfléchir à deux fois avant de s'en prendre aux intérêts vitaux du pays, comme les flux énergétiques. C'est le cas notamment pour Ormuz, goulot d'étranglement reliant le Golfe à l'océan Indien. La libre circulation des pétroliers dans ce détroit est cruciale pour l'économie occidentale et, à plusieurs reprises, l'Iran a menacé d'en barrer le passage. C'est pourquoi, au printemps 2006, les Etats-Unis et la France ont ordonné à leurs groupes aéronavals de se rapprocher des côtes iraniennes, démonstration de force qui fut suffisante pour calmer les velléités iraniennes et ramener Téhéran à la table des négociations.


F/A-18 survolant l'USS Harry S. Truman (© : US NAVY)

Une réponse au manque de bases terrestres et à l'Air Force qui reste parfois clouée au sol

Outil diplomatique de premier rang, le porte-avions est aussi, pour les Etats-Unis, une réponse à la problématique croissante du manque de bases utilisables par l'US Air Force. « Certaines nations refusent que nous basions des avions chez elles pour opérer. Or, avec le porte-avions, nous n'avons pas le désavantage de devoir utiliser des bases aériennes dans des nations hôtes. Cela nous donne la liberté d'opérer et de prendre des décisions sans contrainte et sans imposer à un pays de recevoir nos avions », souligne l'amiral Fox. Les opérations menées cet hiver en Irak par le Truman ont, par ailleurs, mis en évidence une certaine souplesse d'emploi de l'aviation embarquée par rapport aux escadrons basés à terre. « Les jours où la météo était trop mauvaise, l'Air Force ne sortait pas. De notre côté, nous n'avons besoin que d'une quinzaine de secondes, en sortant des nuages, pour voir où est le bateau et nous poser. Or, même s'il fait mauvais, le bateau sait par exemple qu'à une dizaine de nautiques, le temps est meilleur. Il peut donc naviguer pour trouver une trouée et récupérer les avions », explique Pete Langley. Aérodromes flottants parfaitement autonomes, ces navires sont capables de parcourir, en toute liberté, près de 1000 kilomètres par jour. « On peut très rapidement changer de région. Au cours de notre déploiement en Irak, on savait qu'on avait la possibilité d'aller tout de suite vers l'Afghanistan s'il y avait besoin », précise le pilote de Super Hornet. Les Américains jouent donc beaucoup, comme le souligne l'amiral Fox, sur la liberté de mouvement des porte-avions. Et la fin de la guerre froide comme la montée en puissance de nouveaux armements, notamment les missiles de croisière, ne changent rien, aux yeux de l'US Navy, à l'utilité de ces bâtiments. « La nature des opérations a évolué. Nous ne nous concentrons plus sur la marine soviétique mais nous avons aujourd'hui besoin d'être flexibles et de pouvoir opérer près des côtes. Les missiles de croisières sont très utiles mais ils n'offrent pas la flexibilité d'un porte-avions ».


La plage avant du CVN 75 (© : MER ET MARINE - VINCENT GROIZELEAU)

Sécuriser les approvisionnements

Les crises récentes, de l'ex-Yougoslavie à l'Irak en passant par l'Afghanistan, n'ont fait que renforcer l'importance de cette « flexibilité » dans des régions où il s'est révélé diplomatiquement très délicat de baser à terre des escadrons de chasse. Or, dans certaines situations, comme par exemple une rupture des flux maritimes commerciaux, les pays occidentaux ne peuvent pas se permettre de négocier durant des mois l'autorisation d'utiliser des infrastructures terrestres. En effet, que l'on soit Américain ou Européen, la problématique majeure de ce début de XXIème siècle reste la sécurisation des approvisionnements. Pétrole, gaz, conteneurs, acier, denrées alimentaires... 90% du commerce mondial transite aujourd'hui par la mer. La dépendance des pays occidentaux à la bonne marche du flux commercial maritime est donc totale. « La mondialisation fait que l'économie fonctionne à flux tendus, sans stock. La conséquence est une vulnérabilité de plus en plus grande à une éventuelle rupture dans le flux. Pour l'Europe, par exemple, la fermeture du canal de Suez serait un problème majeur car les bateaux devraient faire le tour de l'Afrique, ce qui leur prendrait 3 à 5 semaines de plus. Avec la politique de flux tendus, l'économie serait mise à mal car l'absence de matières premières gripperait l'activité industrielle. Et, par voie de conséquence, la rupture des approvisionnements pourrait entrainer le vide dans les magasins », affirme un amiral français.

CVN 75 : Un géant de 100.000 tonnes

Après avoir évoqué la stratégie américaine en matière de porte-avions, revenons plus spécifiquement à l'USS Truman. Le CVN 75 fait partie de la classe des six Theodore Roosevelt, une évolution des trois Nimitz entrés en service entre 1975 et 1982. Mis sur cale aux chantiers Northrop Grumman de Newport News en novembre 1993, le Harry S. Truman, d'abord appelé United States, a été lancé en septembre 1996 et admis au service actif en juillet 1998. D'un déplacement de plus de 100.000 tonnes, il peut atteindre la vitesse de 32 noeuds. Sa propulsion, nucléaire, est articulée autour de deux réacteurs à eau pressurisée et quatre groupes turbopropulseurs entrainant quatre lignes d'arbres.
Les dimensions du navire sont particulièrement impressionnantes, avec une longueur de près de 333 mètres et une largeur de 78.3 mètres au niveau du pont d'envol. Ce dernier, d'une surface de plus de 22.000 m², est presque deux fois plus vaste que celui du Charles de Gaulle. Il dispose de quatre catapultes à vapeur de 94.5 mètres propulsant les avions de 0 à 300 km/h en moins de 3 secondes. La piste oblique, d'une longueur de 275 mètres (contre 203 sur le CDG), est dotée de quatre brins d'arrêt et d'une barrière d'urgence, à même de recueillir les appareils en difficulté. En tout, une grosse quarantaine d'avions et d'hélicoptères peuvent être parqués sur le pont d'envol. Le reste du groupe aérien est abrité dans un vaste hangar long de 275 mètres, large de 45 mètres et haut de 7.6 mètres. Celui-ci est relié au pont d'envol par quatre ascenseurs d'une capacité unitaire de 47 tonnes. Disposés latéralement à raison de trois à tribord (dont deux devant l'îlot) et un sur bâbord arrière, ces ascenseurs présentent une largeur de 26 mètres, ce qui leur permet d'accueillir simultanément deux avions.


(© : MER ET MARINE - VINCENT GROIZELEAU)

6000 hommes à bord

Avec les porte-avions de la classe Theodore Roosevelt, l'expression « ville flottante » prend tout son sens. Le bord compte 157 officiers et 3050 hommes, auxquels il faut ajouter les effectifs du groupe aérien, soit 365 officiers et 2500 hommes. Le tableau de service peut donc compter 6072 personnes mais les porte-avions de ce type vont bénéficier du programme « Smart Ship ». Il doit permettre de réduire l'équipage à 5500 marins grâce à une automatisation plus poussée. Plus d'un tiers des personnels est affecté à la mise en oeuvre et au soutien de l'aviation embarquée. Du moteur d'avion au simple boulon, des dizaines de milliers de pièces détachées sont entreposées dans les magasins du bâtiment. Ces rechanges permettent d'assurer la maintenance et les réparations des aéronefs pendant la mission. La nuit, notamment, le hangar ressemble à une véritable fourmilière où une armada de techniciens s'affaire à l'entretien des avions qui partiront le lendemain en opération. Ce travail se poursuit bien évidemment en journée, tout comme les appareils peuvent être catapultés et récupérés de nuit. Sur le pont d'envol règne également une intense activité. Autour des appareils, de nombreux personnels s'activent. Mise en place de missiles ou de bombes, vérifications techniques, pleins de carburant, manoeuvres des appareils au moyen de petits tracteurs, positionnement sur les catapultes... C'est un véritable cérémonial, minutieusement organisé, qui voit entrer en scène, à tour de rôle, des hommes aux tuniques colorées. « En jaune, ce sont ceux qui commandent les mouvements sur le pont. En rouge, ce sont les équipes de sécurité. En bleu, ce sont les équipes de manutention. Sur le pont, chaque personne a une couleur qui lui est propre en fonction de son travail », explique l'amiral Mark Fox.


eE CONTINUA COM MUITO MAIS TEXTO E FOTOGRAFIAS .CONSULTE O SITE DO MERETMARINE

'Unacceptable' errors led to deaths in fire aboard sub

'Unacceptable' errors led to deaths in fire aboard sub on Arctic patrol


British submarine HMS Tirelesss

HMS Tireless in polar conditions: the fire aboard the nuclear-powered submarine was caused when a unit providing extra oxygen exploded. Photograph: AFP

A fire that killed two sailors aboard a nuclear-powered submarine as it patrolled beneath the Arctic ice was caused by a catalogue of errors that could have been avoided, the Ministry of Defence admitted yesterday.

Paul McCann, 32, and Anthony Huntrod, 20, died when a unit used to provide extra oxygen exploded aboard HMS Tireless in March last year.

Yesterday, a board of inquiry report detailed failures in the "acquisition, manufacture, transport, storage, stowage and logistics management" of the units. The armed forces minister, Bob Ainsworth, apologised "unreservedly" to the men's families.

"These events are unacceptable and it is clear from the board of inquiry and other work to date that the MoD must accept responsibility for what happened," he told the Commons.

"It is right for me to apologise unreservedly on behalf of the department for the actions or omissions which contributed to this tragic incident. I am extremely sorry, particularly to the families of those who lost their lives or were injured."

The fire started when a Scog - self-contained oxygen generator - used to supply extra oxygen when a submarine is under thick ice exploded in Tireless's forward escape compartment. Leading Operator Mechanic McCann and Operator Mechanic Huntrod were killed in the blast, which also injured a third sailor. There had been many previous incidents of faults with the oxygen generators, the MoD report said.

Yesterday's report listed "systematic failings" that it said could have contributed to the accident.

These included:

· The MoD's failure to understand the potential dangers associated with the equipment despite previous problems;

· Almost 1,000 oxygen units that had been condemned as "hazardous waste" were upgraded to be safe to be used. It is not known whether the unit which exploded was one of these;

· Some of the units, which needed to be kept in secure dry storage, were left on a jetty for two weeks;

· There were "quality control" shortcomings at MPL, the manufacturers of the units.

A separate MoD investigation is trying to find out why these failings were allowed to continue and why the accident happened.

Last night Huntrod's parents accused the MoD of gross negligence.

"It is beyond belief that in this day and age our armed forces could be managed in a way that has such incredibly scant regard for the safety of those who enlist to serve their Queen and country," said Alan Huntrod and Brenda Gooch in a statement.

"We feel that if this was in any other walk of life, there would have been a prosecution for corporate manslaughter ... It is clear that there were no systems in place for the safe management of the devices. This would not be acceptable on an oil platform, a chemical plant or any other workplace and it should not be acceptable aboard a submarine.

"In our view the report sets out in clear detail overwhelming evidence of gross negligence making the Ministry of Defence culpable for the death of our son Anthony and Paul, his colleague."

Yesterday's report also criticised the way the next of kin were informed. It said the "defence community" and parts of the media heard about the deaths before the sailors' families, adding that some records held by the Navy were incorrect.

The board of inquiry investigation found the explosion was probably caused by oil that had seeped into the oxygen generator.

It stated: "Despite the presence of warnings about the explosive risk presented by contamination with organic materials, there was no real experience or understanding within the MoD of just how violently a contaminated sodium chlorate candle [oxygen generator] could react."

At the time of the accident HMS Tireless had been taking part in an Anglo-American operation beneath the Arctic ice. After the fire the submarine was forced to surface through an area of thin ice. The injured sailor was airlifted by the Alaska National Guard to an airforce base in Anchorage.

When the submarine returned to its home port of Devonport in Plymouth, Cmdr Iain Breckenridge praised his crews and singled out the injured man.

"If it had not been for [his] outstanding efforts ... the consequences of this incident may have been much worse," the report said. "The small fires caused by the explosion could easily have taken hold and a major conflagration ensued, with very serious consequences, if [name withheld] had not had the stamina and presence of mind to use all available means to extinguish them."

The MoD said that since the accident measures had been put in place to improve safety, and it was launching its own inquiry to discover what had caused the explosion.

"We are already rolling out new oxygen generators, with improved packaging and instructions," said a spokesman. "These changes will be reinforced in the near future with improved training in use of oxygen generators and understanding of potential dangers."

quinta-feira, 12 de junho de 2008

USN LSD Modernization News

Thursday, June 12, 2008

LSD Modernization News

Inside the Navy is reporting the LSDs will soon be modernized.

All 12 ships in both the Whidbey Island (LSD-41) and Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) classes will undergo a major gutting of their obsolete steam boiler and electrical systems, as well as other upgrades and capability additions to meet mission requirements through 2038, according to Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). One ship will undergo modernization this year beginning in July, two ships will follow each year in fiscal year 2009 through FY-13, and the last ship will be finished in the first quarter of FY-14.
Some of the improvements are described in the article.
The ships will also get an overhaul to their electrical systems, with a new generator and digital-control system.

New capabilities for the ship will include DEXTER, a technology from Military Sealift Command that provides sophisticated and predictive monitoring of the diesel engine, and Marine Corps Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle integration. Requirements for the latter are still being determined, Walker said.

The more-than-$660 million program will alternate ship overhauls between Norfolk, VA, and San Diego, CA.
A couple of things caught our attention in the article. First on the modernization itself, this is much needed. The lack of bandwidth on the LSDs is a big problem and a complaint we have heard more than a few times. The condition of the LSDs has been described as poor, and the use of these platforms has increased under the Bush administration from the heavy use during the Clinton administration. Many experts believe these platforms will require more than one major overhaul to actually serve until 2038 as described.

We love the LSD-41s, and believe they would make a great platform for large motherships. In noting the Marine Corp requirements, we believe the best way to meet the 11 / 11 / 11 requirement of the Marines is to build 9 more LPD-17s instead of 5 more DDG-1000s, which would ultimately create a force of 8 LHDs, 3 LHA(R)s, 18 LPD-17s, and 4 LSD-41s for the Marines, and shift all 8 LSD-41s for mothership operations.

This could be done in a straight swap based on CBO funding estimates, 1 in FY09, 2 in FY10, 2 in FY11, 2 in FY12, and 2 in FY13 using the money currently allocated to the DDG-1000. According to the Navy budget, this could not be done in a straight trade in terms of spending, but we think the Navy cost estimate for the DDG-1000 is broken.

In retaining their amphibious operational capability, the 8 LSD-41s become reserve forces for any future Marine amphibious requirement, enabling a potential amphibious force of 41 amphibious ships instead of 33. Daily operation would have the LSD-41 utilized for Navy roles including Global Fleet Stations, Afloat Forward Operating Bases, and motherships, or said another way, the same way the Navy uses the LSD-41s today.

terça-feira, 10 de junho de 2008

ROYAL NAVY St Albans set for sea trials after refit

    St Albans set for sea trials after refit

10 June 2008

Following a year long refit, HMS St Albans is ready to take to the water again for sea trials which will put the multi million pound raft of upgrades through their paces.

This work included some significant firsts for a Type 23 at Rosyth; challenges which saw industry and MOD teams come together to answer promptly and successfully.

The MOD contract, worth around £10 million, engaged Babcock Marine in Rosyth on the ship's year long docking period which included:

  • installing the Sonar 2087 - enabling the ships to detect the much quieter modern submarines that operate in inshore waters;
  • mounting a new Defence Information Infrastructure communications system;
  • updates to the ship's globalisation vent systems;
  • fitting radial filters;
  • the addition of a new 30mm automatic small calibre gun; and
  • converting the ship's aviation facilities to facilitate Merlin helicopters.


An extension to the scope of the original contract was negotiated to add yet further to the Type 23 frigate's capabilities as a first class warship, which was turned around in rapid time.

Defence Equipment and Support's Surface Combatants Director Commodore Graham Peach said, "This was a significant work package which puts HMS St Albans, the newest of the Type 23s, at the forefront of the fleet of frigates."

The refit contract was awarded to Babcock as part of the Surface Ship Support (SSS) project under which the MOD works with industry to allocate work packages to achieve affordable, sustainable support for the fleet.

Ready for Sea Date inspections were successfully completed on 30 May 08 and HMS St Albans will now embark upon six weeks of sea trials.

The Type 23 is the largest class of frigate constructed for the Royal Navy since the Leander class and provides the backbone of the Royal Navy's anti-submarine frigate force.

Designed to carry out anti-submarine operations in the North Atlantic using towed array sonar to locate targets, they were the first 'stealthy' ships to enter service in the RN - equipped with electric motors they are able to cruise slowly and extremely quietly while hunting submarines and have a hull and superstructure angled off the vertical to reduce radar reflectivity.

segunda-feira, 9 de junho de 2008

Europeans Struggling With Navy Force Costs

Monday, June 9, 2008

Europeans Struggling WIth Navy Force Costs

High oil prices have hit the French Navy in the wallet, and as a result the French are canceling a few exercises. IHT has the story.

The French Navy has canceled three summer missions, including an exercise with the United States, because of soaring fuel prices, a Navy official said Monday.

"All of our missions are important, but we had to cut those that were least crucial," said Navy spokesperson Pascal Subtil.

The most significant of the canceled missions involves a training mission in the United States. French ship De Grasse had been slated to sail alongside American ships in an exercise off the east coast and take part in a drug-trafficking prevention mission.
The De Grasse exercise profile included participation in JTFX08, which will also involve French Naval aviation. The naval aviation aspect of the exercise will continue as planned. However, the part of the article that really got our attention came several paragraphs later.
NATO spokesman James Appathurai said he was unaware of any discussions on the impact of rising fuel costs on missions of the military alliance.

"I don't think there is a general concern in NATO about this," he said.
Say what? There should be general concern in NATO, high energy prices are a serious problem and can have rippling economic effects globally. The world has spent the last decade discussing the possibility of global war due to resource shortages and competition, and NATO isn't much concerned?

This has us wondering what short of global nuclear war would raise NATOs concern in the post cold war environment, because we sure as hell know a massive attack on a member doesn't count for much, 9/11 and Afghanistan tell that unfortunate story all too well.

The Royal Navy is also suffering from cost problems, and to compensate for the problems, the Navy will operate some Type 42s without primary defense systems while they wait for the Type 45s. Only in the 21st century Royal Navy would you see this...
Two Royal Navy warships have been left all at sea - after their missiles were removed to save cash.

The destroyers HMS Exeter and HMS Southampton have been working without their Sea Dart guided-missiles since Christmas.

Hms Exeter has since sailed to the Mediterranean twice and joined a NATO-led operation. The situation has provoked anger from defence sources who claim the Navy is suffering from short-term cost-cutting.

Rear Admiral David Bawtree, former Commander of Portsmouth Naval Base, said: "It seems to be a sign of the times that there is a lack of willingness to spend money."

Local MP Mike Hancock said: "You cannot have ships deploying without important equipment."
Actually it appears you can Mike. This reminds us a bit too much of how the Clinton administration took the one armed bandit off the Perry's. Understandable? Yes. Wise? Not even.

It wasn't smart when the US did it in the 90s, and it is even less so when the Royal Navy does it. At least when the US did it in the 90s, the US had 50 other surface combatants armed to the teeth with the most modern naval kits in the world. In the case of the Royal Navy, these are Type 42 destroyers, the most important air defense warships in the fleet, on deployment, without missiles. This would be like taking the cannons off HMS Victory, unless of coarse you can point to another surface combatant in the Royal Navy operating today bigger than HMS Exeter (D89) and HMS Southampton (D90).

Does anyone else see a future Royal Navy with 2 aircraft carriers that can't put to sea because money isn't allocated to deploy them? Every sign we have seen this year suggests that the CVF will be too expensive to operate without a serious change in the politics of Great Britain.

George Washington Fire Update and Pictures

George Washington Fire Update and Pictures

This is the statement released by the Navy on Friday.

Navy officials have nearly completed a comprehensive damage assessment following the shipboard fire aboard George Washington that occurred on May 22 while at sea. The source of the fire has not yet been determined, but the fire was located in a ventilation intake/exhaust trunk that led from the lower decks of the ship to a ventilation port on the ship's outer hull several decks above. In addition to providing a ventilation path for non-critical machinery components that are located below the ship's waterline, the trunk has numerous piping and cabling runs located within it.

Damage to USS George Washington is primarily electrical in nature with some associated structural and mechanical repairs required. Fire and heat affected electrical cabling and components running through approximately 80 spaces of the more than 3800 total spaces on the carrier. The heat generated by the fire damaged a small portion of interior structural plating which will require either repair or replacement. Piping and related valves that were exposed to heat from the fire have been inspected and will require a minimal amount of repairs. Electrical cables in the vicinity of the intake/exhaust trunk were damaged and will require repair and in some cases, replacement.
Additionally the following photo's were released. Click each for details courtesy of the Navy.

From the limited picture angles, the repairs are going to be time consuming. The wiring and piping in particular is not going to be easy or fast to replace. The rest of what we are seeing here can be repaired much faster

AGRADECIMENTO FAMILIAR

Superb survival a testament to yard's skills

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HMS SUPERB: Involved in an accident early last week

OUR son is a member of the crew of HMS Superb and was serving on board the submarine when she was involved in an incident in the Red Sea earlier this week.

We would like to place on record our gratitude to the excellent family outreach undertaken by the Royal Navy and the MOD following the incident. We received immediate calm and reassuring advice from expert personnel who ensured that all of our questions that could be answered were.

We would especially like to offer our heartfelt thanks to the men and women who built HMS Superb and those who continue to work on submarines in the yard.

We dare not imagine the consequences had the submarine’s hull failed on the impact, and it is a testament to the skill, expertise, dedication and craftsmanship of those workers that it did not, and that the crew will come home.

Whatever the cause of the incident, the crew are determined to bring the “old girl” home.

After all, she looked after them when they most needed it and she was able to because she was built so well; and to those who did that, we will always be grateful.

domingo, 8 de junho de 2008

Anti-Air Missile System successfully test fired for first time

Royal Navy’s Principal Anti-Air Missile System successfully test fired for first time

Written on June 8, 2008 – 8:51 pm | by FIDSNS |

The Royal Navy’s new advanced naval air defence system, PAAMS (Principal Anti-Air Missile System), was successfully test fired for the first time on 4th June from the trials barge Longbow at the French DGA’s CELM (Centre d’Essais de Lancement des Missiles ) test range near the Ile du Levant off the French coast.

The successful firing marks a key step in the demonstration of the maturity of the PAAMS(S) system in the lead up to the missile system entering service onboard the Royal Navy’s new Type 45 destroyers.
The trial comprised the firing of a single Aster 30 missile launched against a Mirach target simulating an aircraft, flying at 10km altitude. All aspects of the system behaved as expected with the Aster missile achieving a direct hit on the target at 35km range.

PAAMS is the self, local and fleet area defence system family that will equip the Royal Navy’s new Daring class of Type 45 destroyers as well as the Horizon and Orizzonte frigates of the French and Italian Navies respectively. The Royal Navy’s PAAMS (S) system differs from the PAAMS (E) selected by France and Italy with respect to the Multi Function Radar (MFR). Whereas France and Italy opted for the EMPAR MFR, the very specific requirements of the Royal Navy have resulted in the development of the SAMPSON MFR by BAE Systems INSYTE.

All the PAAMS (S) system elements have been set to work on the first of class Type 45, HMS Daring and system integration is now in progress. Deliveries of PAAMS equipment to the second Type 45, HMS Dauntless, are complete. The next PAAMS(S) firing trial is planned in the second half of the year with the final system firing trial to take place in 2009.

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