There once was a small country surrounded by large powerful nations that had large powerful navies. This country had limited funds and could not afford to build nearly as many ships as it would need to effectively defend itself. So, rather than hope that one of these large powerful countries […]
ship design
12 posts
Michael Byers and Stewart Webb have authored an interesting report published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and the Rideau Institute entitled “Titanic Blunder: Arctic/Offshore Patrol Ships on Course for Disaster.” Byers and Webb claim that the government is heading for disaster with the AOPS project: the ships are […]
If you haven’t yet had a chance to read the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s report “Feasibility of Budget for Acquisition of Two Joint Support Ships” I think it is worth a look. Here are a few of my observations on what is already a very talked about report. The process was […]
Tim Dunne’s article on the Victoria-class submarines entitled "Journalists sub-par on sub debate" challenged journalists to get the facts straight on the Canada’s submarines. It is worthwhile advice for anyone thinking of engaging in this discussion. The current debate identifies the submarines as ‘used’, but little information was offered about […]
*Moderator’s Note: This article was originally published in the Halifax Chronicle-Herald on 03 March 2012. This version contains two corrections of errors that appeared in the original version, which was posted on 19 March. This article, like the first, is reprinted here with the permission of the author. When New […]
I would like to take up Stan Weeks’ challenge in his article on “Density as a Ship Design Factor.” Stan references a U.S. Government Accountability Office report. Those interested can find it on line here. Concerns expressed with the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG-51) Flight III design option not only relate to […]
The problem with the ships Senator Kenny wants 'axed' is that they are not just ice-capable ships: they are a hybrid design for both arctic and offshore patrol work. Arctic operations require high endurance: lots of capacity for supplies plus hauling all waste by-products out again. Fuel is an especially […]
A report on 24 January 2012 from the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense on the US Navy’s future surface combatant plans raises the issue of ship density; the extent to which ships have equipment, piping, and other hardware tightly packed within the ship […]
During my 50+ years in ship design and construction in both Canada and the United States, it was the policy of a new ship design team, when given the operational requirements for a new ship, to review the archives for an existing ship which most closely met the desired operating […]
Recent concerns over escalating costs with the LCS project were addressed by the U.S. Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Donald C. Winter. Recent press reports (See: Geoff Fein, "First Four LCS Could Be Facing 72 Percent Cost Increase," Defense Daily, 17 March 2007) indicate the USN will seek $519M US […]