USS Barry – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Barry_(DDG-52)
Her homeport is Naval Station Everett, Washington. Several improvements over Arleigh Burke exist on this ship and all following Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, such as the ability to refuel a helicopter.
Barry’s keel was laid down on 26 February 1990, at the Ingalls Shipbuilding shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She was launched on 10 May 1991, and christened on 8 June 1991, by her sponsor Rose Cochran, wife of United States Senator Thad Cochran. Barry was commissioned into the U.S. Atlantic Fleet on 12 December 1992, and was placed under the command of Commander Gary Roughead. The commissioning ceremony took place at Naval Station Pascagoula in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Following ship’s commissioning, Barry underwent Post Delivery Test and Trials (PDT&T). During this period, Barry tested every major system on board. An Operational Propulsion Plant Examination (OPPE) was conducted, with Barry receiving an overall grade of Excellent. Combat Systems Ship Qualifications Trials (CSSQT) were also conducted that included 13 missile firings.
Barry has received many awards, including the Battenberg Cup for the years 1994, 1996, and 1998—making Barry one of only three ships (as of 2008) to have won the prestigious award three times. She has also been awarded the Battle E award eight times, and received the Golden Anchor and Silver Anchor Awards for retention. More recently, in 2004 Barry received the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy for being the most improved ship in the Atlantic Fleet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Barry_(DDG-52)
The Fujan sets off on her maiden voyage to undergo sea trials (Picture: CCTV)
1st May 2024 at 11:15am
China’s newest aircraft carrier, which features a next-generation electromagnetic catapult, has set sail for her maiden sea trials.
The Fujan, China’s third aircraft carrier, left Shanghai’s Jiangnan Shipyard at around 8am local time.
The sea trials will test the carrier’s propulsion and electrical systems, as well as assess the living conditions for the crew, according to an expert quoted in Chinese media.
Once commissioned by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, the Fujian is expected to play a crucial role in the future development of China’s naval capabilities, according to Song Xiaojun, a Chinese expert on military affairs.
The Fujian is the only vessel other than the US Navy’s Gerald R Ford-class carriers to feature a next-generation electromagnetic catapult.
A catapult can launch an aircraft much faster than a ramp, allowing for a quicker launch.
An electromagnetic catapult is less demanding on power and water than its steam catapult predecessor.
However, according to Trevor Hollingsbee, a defence and security analyst, there are reliability issues when it comes to electromagnetic catapults.
China’s newest aircraft carrier was treated to a special welcoming ceremony when she was first unveiled (Picture: Reuters)
The Fujan was launched in June 2022 and has since completed her mooring trials.
She is much larger and technologically more advanced than the Shandong, which was commissioned in 2019.
China’s first aircraft carrier was the Soviet-built Liaoning, which China bought second-hand from Ukraine in 1998 and refitted domestically
APRIL 30, 2024 8:05 PM – UPDATED: APRIL 30, 2024 8:40 PM
Divers will attempt to repair the big deck amphibious warship USS Boxer (LHD-4) in the water while the ship is pierside at Naval Station San Diego, Calif., USNI News has learned.
The effort will focus on repairs to the starboard rudder and the bearing that failed following Boxer’s departure for deployment on April 1, Navy officials told USNI News.
“The issue is the ship’s starboard rudder and roller bearing system. A series of inspections and assessments determined a waterborne repair is the most efficient way to execute maintenance and repairs,” reads a statement from Naval Surface Force provided to USNI News. “USS Boxer will execute repairs to its starboard rudder at Naval Station San Diego. The waterborne repairs will be conducted at the pier and will likely not require a dry dock. Boxer may resume its deployment as soon as this summer.”
U.S. Pacific Fleet commander Adm. Stephen Koehler made the determination for Boxer to get fixed under water on Monday afternoon after reviewing recommendations from U.S, 3rd Fleet commander Vice Adm. Michael Boyle and Naval Surface Force commander Vice Adm. Brendan McLane, defense officials confirmed to USNI News.
A defense official told USNI News the repairs could take one to two months to complete. In parallel, the Navy is investigating the root cause of the rudder failure to see if “materials, parts or a faulty installation” are to blame for the failure of the starboard rudder, reads the statement from the service.
Boxer has been dogged with engineering issues since it completed an extensive modernization period in 2022. Navy officials have blamed contractor performance and quality assurance for a delay in a deployment that was supposed to start in January.
Sailors assigned to Boxer’s engineering department were found to be negligent in two command investigations. For example, in 2023 during sea trails, Boxer’s main reduction gear, the complex gearing mechanism that links the output of the steam plant to the props, ran without lube oil for two hours. It’s unclear whether the previous issues are related to the current rudder issue.
A workman is dwarfed by the stern of the Amphibious Assault Ship USS WASP (LHD-1) as he puts the final touches on the recently completed vessel in dry dock. US Navy Photo
Before Monday’s decision, the Navy considered dry docking Boxer to repair the rudder, but the two dry docks in San Diego that are large enough to accommodate the 41,000-ton big deck amphib are occupied. The dry dock at BAE Systems’ San Diego repair yard is occupied by Littoral Combat Ship USS Oakland (LCS-24). General Dynamics NASSCO is hosting USS Chung Hoon (DDG-93), which is undergoing an availability to install the AN/SLQ-32(V)7 Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program Block 3 as part of the DDG Mod 2.0 program.
The Navy also considered moving the ship north to Vigor’s ship repair yard in Portland, Ore., but the idea lacked appeal because the top ten feet of the ship’s mast would have to be removed to fit under a bridge over the Willamette River, sources familiar with the idea told USNI News.
Now with a path forward, the Navy and Marine Corps intend to deploy Boxer following the repairs.
Boxer is the flagship of the Amphibious Ready Group that includes USS Somerset (LPD-25) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49). Somerset and Harpers Ferry, with elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked, are currently operating in the South China Sea. The two ships are part of the Balikatan 2024 exercise taking place with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Boxer was slated to be a key platform for the exercise during the at sea period. How the deployment will proceed is still an open question. Somerset deployed in January for a series of exercises and Harpers Ferry departed in early April.
The emergent Boxer repair highlights troubles the Navy has had with maintaining the big deck fleet – the majority of which are powered by older steam boilers rather than modern diesel or maritime gas turbines.
“We found our amphib ships – the big decks in particular with steam plants – are having larger growth work than most of our ships and its it’s a challenge because of availability of parts, artisans, etc., “ Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jim Kilby told the House Armed Services readiness subcommittee on Tuesday.
