Aircraft Carriers III

TerraN_EmpirE said:

Some systems will and likely have already been removed, one thing to remember is that Russia is likely to want to keep its own specialized navigation and communication technologies to its self just as Egypt is likely to want to install it's own chosen GPS navigation system and Secure communications.
That's just standard practice. The Russians may leave the major weapons but they will remove any electronics that are Russian specific.

Also do we have confirmation on sale of Russia Ka52K to Egypt? If not we shouldn't assume just yet. And even if they did that only covers attack. For a amphibious assault ship you need troop transport choppers and Organic ASW and naval support. That means potential for Airbus Helicopter with Tiger, Puma and Panther/ Dolphin.

And that only covers the flight deck there is still the well deck to fill. Way I figure it there is at least another billion dollars per ship in outfitting. Basically Egypt is starting a Marine Corps from scratch and the French can get in on the ground floor.

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Jeff Head said:

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This cat system is all new. It is cutting edge.
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San Diego-based General Atomics was awarded a USD 29,6 million deal for the material and labor necessary to manufacture, assemble, inspect, integrate, test and checkout the on-board repair parts in support of the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) and advanced arresting gear on the PCU Gerald R. Ford, CVN 78.

The majority of work will be performed in San Diego, California and in Tupelo, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed in February 2018.

Fiscal 2013, 2014, 2015 ship conversion (Navy); and fiscal 2015 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $29,620,480 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

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Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) conducted an air defense exercise (ADEX) Sept. 23 – 24, in the training ranges in the Guam operating area.

The objective of ADEX was to protect the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) from any simulated airborne threats that the ship may encounter out at sea. This evolution is the first time that the strike group has gotten to work together in this type of environment.

Participants of the two-day ADEX comprised of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88), Ronald Reagan along with their embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 and other squadron entities.

During the exercise more than 30 aircraft, ranging from F/A-18 Super Hornets, E2-C Hawkeyes, E/A-18G Growlers and B-52 Stratofortresses, were utilized by dividing them into red air, hostile threats and blue air, the strike group’s air defense force.

Chancellorsville also received assistance from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) during the exercise.

The exercise played out in Chancellorsville’s combat information center (CIC) where Sailors experienced and worked through each scenario fulfilling their objective, to protect Ronald Reagan.

Chancellorsville is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

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The world’s oldest aircraft carrier in service, INS Viraat (R 22), will make one last visit to the Cochin Shipyard, which has carried out some 12 cycles of routine refit of the vessel, by the middle of next year for its decommissioning refit.

Also flying into sunset will be its integral, now depleted, fleet of Sea Harrier jump jets.

“They — the Harriers and the carrier — have a symbiotic relationship and it’s in the fitness of things to phase out both together,” Captain Rajesh Pendharkar, commanding officer of Viraat , told the media on board the vessel, which is slated to set course for Mumbai in a day or two after a short refit that lasted two months at the Cochin Shipyard.

The serviceability of the Harriers has been a tall order, with its British makers stopping production sometime ago. While the LUSH (Limited Upgrade Sea Harriers) programme enhanced their combat capabilities, the airframe is old. As for the carrier decommissioning, a final call on this will be taken at the highest (Ministry of Defence) level. It’s possible that it happens around this time next year, Captain Pendharkar said in response to queries.

(As first reported by The Hindu early this year, the decision to retire Viraat was catalysed, in part, by the increasing non-availability of the Harriers)

The short refit of Viraat at the shipyard was conducted to ensure upkeep of its underwater package, hull and underwater equipment, in line with its maintenance schedule. “I think Viraat might make one more visit to the yard for its decommissioning refit after the International Fleet Review (IFR) at Visakhapatnam in February next year.” Once the decision to retire the vessel will be finalised, the carrier will have a minimised crew with the routines reduced to safety checks, while the decommissioning refit will ensure the safety of the platform after live and reusable equipment are dismounted.

To a question, he said it’s possible that Viraat will be converted into a museum post its service life. However, the ship is in excellent condition at the moment; only last year it won the ‘Best Ship’ award. Thanks are due to the Cochin Shipyard for the level of maintenance it has done on the vessel, he said.

Meanwhile, outfitting is in progress on the first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant berthed just about 100-metres away.

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IWO TO, Japan (Sept. 29, 2015) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) pauses to honor fallen service members from the Battle of Iwo Jima while underway off the island of Iwo To, formerly known as Iwo Jima. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Ronald Reagan's presence highlights how the relationship has grown between both countries who are committed to the peace, security and stability of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Paolo Bayas/Released)

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Carrier USS Ronald Reagan Arrives in Japan

The Navy’s new forward deployed aircraft carrier arrived in Japan on Thursday, according to the service.
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) pulled into Naval Station Yokosuka, Japan after leaving San Diego in late August, the service announced via Twitter.
Now the Nimitz-class nuclear carrier will assume the role of the U.S. forward deployed carrier in 7th Fleet, replacing the USS George Washington (CVN-73) which is currently operating in the Western Pacific in U.S. Southern Command in route to Newport News Shipbuilding for a multi-billion mid-life refueling and complex overhaul which will last about four years.
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, who was on hand for Reagan’s arrival said the carrier and the government of Japan’s welcome are “”visible symbols of our shared commitment to one another and regional stability,”

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“Together we provide the most critical pillar of international security, one that only maritime services can deliver,” he said.
While the welcome was largely warm there was a small group on hand who protested the deployment and Japan’s move to cooperate more militarily with the U.S., according to the AP.
Similar protests occurred when Washington — the first nuclear carrier to be based in Japan — arrived in 2008.
Regan will be replaced in San Diego with USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) — currently in U.S. Central Command operating against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISL) as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.
The service elected to complete the three carrier swap moving a minimal amount of crew requiring several sailors to be assigned to new ships.
“Approximately two-thirds of each crew will remain in their original homeport while one-third will remain with their ship, including reactor department personnel and aircraft carrier commanding officers, executive officers and command master chiefs,” read a Navy statement.
According to estimates from the Navy, the swap will save the service about $41 million in moving expenses for the crews.

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