Straits Times – SAF joins anti-piracy patrol
The Republic of Singapore Navy will join international efforts to tackle piracy and protect ships that sail through the Gulf of Aden.
Monthly Archives: February 2009
Russian Navy – Russia sending more ships, scientists to Arctic
Associated Press – Russia sending more ships, scientists to Arctic
Russia will modernize its icebreaker fleet and station more researchers in the Arctic as part of its push to stake its claim to the vast resources of the disputed polar region, a presidential envoy said Thursday.
Military Space – Satellites Destroyed in Orbital Collision
Wall Street Journal – Satellites Destroyed in Orbital Collision
A commercial satellite owned by a U.S. company was destroyed in a collision with a defunct Russian spy satellite in what NASA said was the first in-orbit spacecraft collision, raising new concerns about the dangers of space debris.
US Navy – Norfolk-based cruiser captures seven suspected pirates
Virginian Pilot – Norfolk-based cruiser captures seven suspected pirates
The Norfolk-based cruiser USS Vella Gulf apprehended seven men suspected of staging a pirate attack on a merchant ship on Wednesday in the Gulf of Aden, marking the Navy’s first successful interdiction since the establishment of a new anti-piracy force last month.
Piracy – Taking on Somalia's pirates
BBC – Taking on Somalia’s pirates
Somali pirates are poised for renewed attacks on shipping off the coast of Somalia, according to the Royal Navy’s Cdr Gerry Northwood, the head of operations for the EU’s anti-piracy taskforce, codenamed Operation Atalanta.
Military Space – Ike’s gambit: The development and operations of the KH-7 and KH-8 spy satellites
The Space Review – Ike’s gambit: The development and operations of the KH-7 and KH-8 spy satellites
The Space Review – Ike’s gambit: The KH-8 reconnaissance satellite
While there are considerable details now available about one of the earliest US spy satellite programs, CORONA, far less is known about another early program, GAMBIT.
Iraq – A Military Tactician's Political Strategy
Washington Post – A Military Tactician’s Political Strategy
The second excerpt from Tom Ricks’ new book on the surge entitled “The Gamble:”
In defending the troop increase, General Petraeus paved the way for a “long war.”
Russian Navy – Russian frigate returns home after anti-piracy duty off Somalia
RIA Novosti – Russian frigate returns home after anti-piracy duty off Somalia
The Russian missile frigate Neustrashimy, which took part in the anti-pirate operations in the Gulf of Aden, returned to its home port of Baltiysk.
Iraq – The Dissenter Who Changed the War
Washington Post – The Dissenter Who Changed the War
The first excerpt from Tom Ricks’ new book on the surge in Iraq, entitled “The Gamble:”
As the No. 2 commander in Iraq, Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno challenged the military establishment, pressing for the case for a “surge” of U.S. troops and a long-term strategy to guide them.
Geopolitics / Finance – The Great Crash, 2008: A Geopolitical Setback for the West
Foreign Affairs – The Great Crash, 2008: A Geopolitical Setback for the West
The financial crisis has called into serious question the credibility of western governments and may precipitate an eastward shift of power.
Royal Navy – Harrier dispute between Navy and RAF chiefs sees Army 'marriage counsellor' called in
Daily Telegraph – Harrier dispute between Navy and RAF chiefs sees Army ‘marriage counsellor’ called in
The Defence Secretary John Hutton has been forced to call in an Army general to act as a “marriage counsellor” to resolve a bitter dispute between the heads of the Royal Navy and RAF over the future of the Harrier jump jet.
Piracy – US Navy watches as Somali pirates nab $3.2 million
Associated Press – US Navy watches as Somali pirates nab $3.2 million
As U.S. Navy ships looked on, Somali pirates sped away Thursday with $3.2 million in ransom after releasing an arms-laden Ukrainian freighter — ending a four-month standoff that focused world attention on piracy off Somalia’s lawless coast.
Military Space – Ups and Downs of Space Radars
Air Force – Ups and Downs of Space Radars
Jeffrey T. Richelson writes that the Air Force and NRO have been hacking at this project for nearly 50 years now.
French Navy – Asbestos-laden warship to set sail for Britain
Daily Telegraph – Asbestos-laden warship to set sail for Britain
A French warship deemed too toxic to be broken up in India is to set sail for Britain to be dismantled.
Miscellaneous – Google Earth Fills Its Watery Gaps
New York Times – Google Earth Fills Its Watery Gaps
Google Earth adds the world’s oceans to its database.
US Navy – JHSV Multi-Mission Ship: the Real Threat to LCS
Defense Technology International – JHSV Multi-Mission Ship: the Real Threat to LCS
Is the Joint High Speed Vessel a competitor to the Littoral Combat Ship?
French Navy – France's Newest Ballistic Missile-Carrying Sub Starts Sea-Trials
Defense Technology International – France’s Newest Ballistic Missile-Carrying Sub Starts Sea-Trials
The French Navy announced today that its new Triomphant class ballistic missile-carrying submarine, Le Terrible, had its first sea outing on Monday (Jan.26) off the coast of Cherbourg in northern France.
US Navy – Top admiral ready for fight over carrier site
Virginian Pilot – Top admiral ready for fight over carrier site
The Navy’s top admiral signaled Friday that he’s prepared for a fight over plans to relocate a Norfolk-based aircraft carrier to Florida and insisted that the shift is “in the best interest of the nation.”
Royal Navy – Losing their way?
Economist – Losing their way?
A realistic analysis of the current state of affairs of the British military: The British army suffers from lack of soldiers, lack of money and lack of conviction
Economist – Overstretched, overwhelmed and over there
Seven years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan have exposed Britain’s military failings. It can and must do better.
Piracy – Hijacked on the High Seas
Wall Street Journal – Hijacked on the High Seas
When Somali pirates attacked, they kicked off 56 days of drama over the fate of a ship and 28 crewmen. A fascinating piracy case study…
Iranian Navy – Hyperbolic Arsenal
Defense Technology International – Hyperbolic Arsenal
Does the Iranian Navy have access to the Russian Shkval supercavitating torpedo?
NOSI - Naval Open Source Intelligence™ 