Military Bulletin 3 – USN surface firepower upgrade

by harveyblackauthor on 24/05/201524/05/2015

Military Bulletin 3 – USN surface firepower upgrade

Since the end of the Cold War and the subsequent reduction in the Soviet Union’s own fleet, the United States Navy is without doubt the world’s largest maritime superpower. But a consequence of this, having no credible sea-denial threat, the USN has focussed on power projection from the sea rather than a more broader strategy that includes control of the sea. Vice Admiral Thomas Rowden, commander of US Naval Surface Forces, told a recent symposium, ‘It was a navy that was equally adept at sea control as it was at strike.’ This now needs to be addressed.

One way way of addressing this shortfall, at an acceptable cost, would be a further introduction of Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The creation of small, fast, manoeuvrable, relatively inexpensive DD class type of ship, with variable roles, supported by changeable mission packages, would go some way to meet this shortfall.

Independence_(LCS_2)_in_drydock

In 2014, Independence switched from a mine to surface warfare mode in 96 hours on short notice.

“Independence (LCS 2) in drydock” by U.S. Navy Photo/Released – http://www.navy.mil/view_single.asp?id=67110. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons –

One key requirement for the LCS concept, is the need for an ‘over-the-horizon’ surface-to-surface missile.

Harpoon_missile_launch_aboard_USS_Shiloh

The current Harpoon Block 1C missile will therefore need to be replaced, with a target date of mid-2020s. A new offensive anti-surface weapon will be required if a satisfactory strike range is to be achieved.

“Harpoon missile launch aboard USS Shiloh” by U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin V. Cunningham/Released) 140915-N-UF697-087 –

2014_demonstration_USN

A live fire test of the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) from the USS Coronado in 12014. This provided a demonstration of the potential ‘over-the-horizon’ anti ship capability that could be used by both the LCS and the evolved frigate variant.

New-NSM-background

The missile is completely passive and has proven to have excellent sea skimming capabilities. With its advance terminal manoeuvres, it is expected to survive current enemy air defence. The Autonomous Target Recognition (ATR) of the seeker will ensure that the correct target is detected, recognised and hit.

Harvey Black

Military Bulletin 2 – USN OHIO SSBN replacement

by harveyblackauthor on 19/05/201519/05/2015

Military Bulletin 2 – USN OHIO SSBN replacement

The United States Navy is getting ready for the replacement of its current 14 Ohio class SSBN nuclear fleet. The plan is for 12 new boats, each one carrying 16 D5 Trident II nuclear missiles. Two successful D-5 missile tests were announced in February, confirming the extended life of the Trident missile. This will no doubt be as equally important to the UK’s future new generation of SSBN submarines for the Trident missile.

The estimated cost will be in the region of $100 Billion, with the lead boat being delivered in 2028.

Harvey Black

OHIO_Replacement_Concept_NAVSEA

US OHIO replacement concept

“OHIO Replacement Concept NAVSEA” by NAVSEA – NAVSEA. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons –

The chosen propulsion system will be an Electric drive, reducing the need for reduction gearing. The nuclear and steam turbines will still be at the heart of the ship’s propulsion system.

SSBN-X

It is proposed that each SSBN would have 16 launch tubes for the Trident II nuclear missile.

The USN also plans to share a common missile compartment design with the Royal navy’s proposed replacement for the Vanguard-class SSBNs

Ohio_Replacement_Submarine_cutaway_2014_Sea,_Air,_and_Space_Symposium

Cutaway image of the Ohio replacement SSBN

“Ohio Replacement Submarine cutaway 2014 Sea, Air, and Space Symposium” by CAPT William J. Brougham, USN – PMS397 Program Manager – NAVSEA – “Document: Ohio Class Replacement 2014 Briefing Slides” – United States Naval Institute News – Published: April 9, 2014 1:31 PM. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons –

Military Bulletin 01/2015 – Minuteman

by harveyblackauthor on 17/05/201517/06/2015

The US Air Force carried out two test launches of unarmed Minutemen III, LGM-30G, intercontinental ballistic missiles over a three day period during March 2015. Both were launched, as part of a systems operational test, from Vandenberg AFB.

These launches are used to verify the performance of the nuclear missile. It is also a reminder of the US’s capability in respect to being able to respond to nuclear threats. A message to Putin as well, perhaps….

Harvey Black

Minuteman III, Intercontinental ballistic missile. can carry 12 nuclear warheads 13, 000 kilometres.

“Minuteman3launch”. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons –

The Blue Effect. The latest Review.

by harveyblackauthor on 26/04/201415/07/2018

The Blue Effect. The latest Review.

Your Weekend Read: The Blue Effect
Written by Mad Duo on 25 April, 2014.

Reforger – tanks

.
If you are one of those who’ve read the first and second installments of Harvey Blacks’s Cold War Series, be advised: the wait is over. The third and final installment is out. The Blue Effect is now available on Kindle and having started reading it I can say it was worth the wait. In this final installment we will find out if NATO’s plan to trade space for time to execute Reforger (allowing reinforcement of the Europe) will work.
Warning: spoilers
We find NATO forces struggling to consolidate their defenses after Soviet chemical weapon strikes. To compound this, the Soviets have executed a large scale airborne operation in the NATO rear area. The Warsaw Pact is now attempting an encirclement of British Army of the Rhine (BOAR) forces. As the novel begins, the Soviet 3rd Shock Army is pushing beyond the River Leine. This is forcing decimated British battle groups back into the Soviet Airborne task force attacking their flanks and rear.

.
Harvey Black – the Blue Effect

This passage gives you an idea about NATO’s precarious situation:
“With the River Leine breached, the Soviet air-to-ground strikes increased in intensity, and armour and infantry flooded across. Elements of the battered 10th Guards Tank Division had created a bridgehead before releasing elements to strike south increasing the pressure on the British 22nd Armoured Brigade who were desperately attempting to hold back the deluge that was building up to their front. In the meantime, the three battalions of the 108th Air Assault Regiment continued to expand their own bridgehead, creating space and passage through which 12th Guards Tank Division of 3 Shock Army could transit, quickly overpowering the NATO defence, getting behind them, and cutting them off from their higher command. Once complete, they would push west, at speed, giving the British 1st Armoured Division little time to reform their defence lines. The intermediate objective of the 12th was to link up with 247th Caucasian Cossacks Air Assault Regiment near the Mittellandkanal. The 247th was commanded by Colonel Vydina who had conducted a descent, a parachute assault, further west, securing the western end of the gap. Together, the 12th and the 247th would ensure a crossing of the River Weser before 1st British Corps could complete their Defensive preparations.

.
2000 8 JULY 1984. COMBAT TEAM DELTA. ROYAL HUSSARS.
DITTERKE, WEST GERMANY.
THE BLUE EFFECT -3 DAYS
Corporal Mason helped drag Trooper Mann from the damaged Challenger Tank. The crewman had a minor wound to his head from a ricochet, and a more serious wound; a smashed shoulder. The other two men were safe, ensconced with an infantry section. A mere 500 metres away, the BMD, responsible for the tank’s demise after hitting it with a Sagger missile, was still smoldering, an airborne soldier broken and battered lay close to the rear hatch, the rest of the soldiers blackened and unrecognizable in the troop compartment to the rear. After a HESH round had demolished the airborne infantry vehicle and crew, those who had been able to escape the inferno inside, had been immediately cut down by a pintle-mounted Gympy on top of a British 432. The infantry were from 3rd Battalion, the Queen’s Regiment, having got separated from their parent unit, and seeking support and protection from their much larger cousins. A second BMD was burning furiously a further 100 metres east. Clouds of thick, black, oily smoke funneled upwards, an advert to anyone watching that there had been a clash between opposing forces.”

YWR | The Blue Effect

.
If you enjoyed the first two novels this one is a must buy. It launches the reader back into the melee of a Cold War gone hot. I have found my productivity has dropped to zero since purchasing this novel [Note: much to the Mad Duo’s annoyance.] as I’ve again been sucked into Black’s bleak alternate history universe. For those of you as depressed as I was by this story arch coming to a finale, do not fret. Harvey is beginning work on a new even more apocalyptic series.

.
Read my review of the first two books in the series here: http://www.breachbangclear.com/your-weekend-read-harvey-black/

Have a good weekend and enjoy Your Weekend Read.
Groz
images_mad_duo_Over_Duo

Now available on Kindle.

More about the Avro Vulcan in future Posts and of the great work being done to keep this particular aircraft flying.

And a big thank you XH558 team for allowing me to use the above photograph

Cover image (C) of Andrew Brown and the Vulcan to the Sky Trust – image of XH558

Now available. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support in reading the first two novels in the series, it is really appreciated. HB

‘The Black Effect’ – Available on Kindle.

The Black Effect

An economy on the verge of collapse, demands from their allies for funding to continue the expansion of communism, and a conventional Army, Navy and Air Force costing the country 20% of its GDP… The Soviet Union is in trouble. Where should they turn for a solution?

Their answer: the capitalist West. On the 4th July 1984, the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact launched a massive preemptive conventional strike against the West, sending the NATO forces reeling.

Follow Jacko and Bradley and their allies as they fight off the Soviet Union. Can the NATO forces recover and hold their ground? Will the Soviet Union succeed? Or will it end in an outright defeat? Follow the series of gripping events in The Black Effect, the second installment in Harvey Black’s Cold War trilogy.

The first novel in my ‘Cold War’ trilogy, The Red Effect, published by SilverWood Books, is now available. Thoroughly enjoyed writing it, as i do with all my novels. There will be three books in total, covering the hypothetical invasion of West Germany, the Federal Republic of Germany, by the Warsaw Pact in the mid 1980’s. Book 1, ‘The Red Effect’, encompasses part of the intelligence build up leading to the initial Warsaw Pact strike against the NATO forces lined up against them. The purpose of the next few posts is to give the reader some additional background information to enhance their reading experience.