SIG MMG 338 Program Series

Archive for the ‘Maritime’ Category

SCUBAPRO Sunday – US Riverine Forces

Sunday, March 22nd, 2020

The U.S. Navy Riverine Force go back to the beginning of the U.S. Navy. The hay day for Riverine force was during the Vietnam War. The Brown Water Navy had the highest volunteer and retention rate of any unit in the U.S. military. They are also one of the highest decorated units during that time frame. The Riverine Force concept in Vietnam was based on tactics first used in the Revolutionary and Civil War. But they were quickly adapted for the Mekong delta.

During the Indochina War, the French Navy successfully utilized riverine assault craft against Viet Minh forces between 1946 and 1954. In 1955 with the departure of the French, the U.S. Navy sent in a hand full of advisers to help the South patrol the inland waterway. When the U.S. Mobile Riverine Force arrived in 1967, many of the older French craft were still being used by the South Vietnamese Naval Forces. By 1965 the Brown Water Navy was patrolling the over 26,000 square miles of the Mekong delta. The Navy was not the only service working on the waters of Vietnam, the Army, Coast Guard, Air Force, and USMC all worked together.  Below is a link to help you better understand the scope of the River force in Vietnam, and you can also read the book “Brown Water, Black Beret.” It’s a great book to read during quarantine.

www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/r/riverine-warfare-us-navys-operations-inland-waters

www.amazon.com/Brown-Water-Black-Berets-Bluejacket-ebook

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Quick Release Adapter for the Frameless Mask

Sunday, March 15th, 2020

SCUBAPRO’s FRAMELESS mask is diving’s original frameless mask. The Frameless was the first mask to use the lens as its structural support, which significantly increased the field of vision for divers. Twenty-one years later, it is still the first choice of military and technical divers.

Its distinctive rectangular single-lens shape is classic, providing an excellent field of view on the periphery as well as straight ahead. By eliminating the frame, you create a mask that sits closer to your eyes. This provides a broader field of view to better take in the underwater sights, plus it reduces volume, which makes it easier to clear. Also, since there is no frame, the buckles attach directly to the skirt. This enables the mask to fold relatively flat for packing or for slipping into a BC cargo pocket. The soft silicone skirt on the FRAMELESS is comfortable yet durable, and the double-edge seal feels good against the skin. Buckles attach to flexible tabs on the skirt; this optimizes strap angle when dialing in the fit.

SCUBAPRO wanted to give it an update without taking away from its already iconic features. We also wanted it to work with our newest dive computer, the Galileo HUD. So, we develop a way to mount the HUD to the mask as the mount needs a hole drilled through the lens, which can only be done before the glass is tempered.  

SCUBAPRO is always trying to innovate for the working divers and set the standard for new gear. The latest features for the Frameless/ Frameless Gorilla mask are the addition of the comfort strap adapter. They can be added onto existing masks, and this allows the user to add several new features to one of the most iconic masks ever made. We have new accessories for the classic Frameless mask. The latest version of the Frameless that is available with an integrated HUD Arm that allows you to mount the SCUBAPRO HUD hands-free dive compute.  

SCUBAPRO has also been working with some military units to make the Frameless mask non-magnetic. To do this, we decide to develop a conversion kit so it could use our comfort straps. With this, we removed the springs and pins in the mask straps. QR kit Part Number 24.340.039

The Frameless adapter kit includes two quick clips and the roll pins. The adapters also allow you to use the SCUBAPRO Odin Helmet Straps. Ops-Core is the primer brand when it comes to helmet innovation. The Odin system allows any mask with quick clips to be attached to any helmet that has the Ops-Core ARC rail systems. The Odin straps are perfect for any time you have to wear a helmet when diving or in the water. Like using a DPV, Wearing Jet-boots, Search and Rescue Operations, or working in Fast Moving Water. The Comfort Strap is similar to a ski goggle strap in design. It clips right into the mask buckle adapter and offers a wide adjustment range. It also is a lot less likely to break mid-dive as it is a nylon strap and not rubber or silicone. The adapter also makes the mask non-magnetic for EOD use, as it removes all metal parts.  

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Seawing Nova

Sunday, March 8th, 2020

The SCUBAPRO Seawing Nova turns ten years old. The Seawing Nova appeared in 2009 and
immediately turned heads with its clean sheet streamlined design. The original Seawing fin inspired it with its radical blade profile.

This innovative fin caught the attention of designers and engineers worldwide. It won Popular Science magazine’s “Best of What’s New in 2009” award. Then it won the ScubaLab Testers Choice award for the best performing new fin of 2010. In 2011 the Seawing Nova won the prestigious, internationally- recognized Red Dot Award for product design, then in 2013, when a full-foot version came out, it won the Testers Choice for the best full-foot fin of the year. And in 2015, after benefitting from several upgrades to make a great fin even greater, the improved Seawing Nova won the Testers Choice award for the best fin of the year once again.

Built with a space-age Monprene elastomer that is virtually indestructible. (The Seawing Gorilla includes a special additive to enhance stiffness and increase feedback.) Spotlighting its proprietary G4 (4th Generation) articulated hinge with enlarged Pivot Control notches that enables the entire wing-shaped blade to pivot and generate thrust, the Seawing Nova produces a propulsive snap that can rocket you through open water at top speed or propel you along reefs or in and out of tight spots with total control—all with little to no ankle or leg strain. Pivot Control technology ensures that the most efficient 45-degree angle of attack is maintained no matter how easy, or hard you kick.

 

The Seawing Nova also excels in low-speed maneuvering, including frog kicks, reverse kicks, and turtle backing. Offers improved handling when making small directional adjustments. This is due in large part to a slight increase in rigidity across the trailing edge of the blade, which has ratcheted up responsiveness and thrust at full power while requiring no increased kicking effort in cruising mode. 

The fin features a well-engineered footplate that extends all the way to the back of the heel, maximizing power transmission while minimizing stress on legs and ankles. Co-molded Grip Pads provide efficient non-skid footing on wet surfaces. The famous bungee straps have been redesigned and updated, reducing overall weight and providing enhanced durability.

• Monprene Shroud is 35% lighter.

• Re-engineered with the injection gate relocated to provide enhanced durability.

• More flex means improved comfort.

• It’s the same bulletproof 8mm marine-grade bungee as in existing Seawing Nova Straps.

The fin also features the popular self-adjusting heel strap made of marine-grade bungee. This bungee is highly elastic, resistant to the elements, and the soft heel pad with an over-sized finger loop is comfortable and simplifies doffing and donning. It can also be fitted with a steel spring strap  that also fits on the twin jet fins

                                 

SEAWING NOVA FAMILY OF FINS

Seawing Nova Open Heel This high-performance fin delivers the power, acceleration, and maneuverability of a blade fin, with the kicking comfort and efficiency of a split fin. Available in five sizes (XS-XL).  

Seawing Gorilla Open Heel
While identical in design to the Seawing Nova, the Seawing Gorilla uses a special additive in its compound to provide more stiffness and snap to the blade. This results in more power, speed, and control for divers who like a stiffer fin with more feedback in their kicks. The more rigid blade also allows for more effective sculling, frog-kicking, and reverse-kicking, making it an excellent choice for tech divers. Available in five sizes (XS-XL) Graphite (while supplies last) Black is available by special order.

 

THE SEAWING NOVA ADVANTAGE

On a traditional paddle fin, during a typical kick stroke, as water flow hits the fin, the blade will curve along its length. This means that the blade’s angle of attack, relative to the water flow, is going to be different at different points on the blade. In such a case, the leading edge remains too flat to generate efficient thrust, while the trailing edge flexes too much. Consequently, only the midsection can produce dynamic thrust.  

The Downfalls of traditional fins

The Seawing Nova will always maintain the most efficient angle of attack along the entire length of its blade because instead of the gradual curve of a traditional blade, the Seawing Nova’s blade stays relatively flat due to the G4 articulated joint that allows the entire blade to pivot (like the tail joint of a whale or dolphin). Also, the blade is longitudinally reinforced by pronounced rails that help prevent curvature (this is supported by the monocoque effect that takes place when the Variable Blade Geometry wing tips arc upwards).

 

On a traditional paddle fin, the harder you kick, the more the blade bends. That means a soft fin will achieve the ideal 45-degree angle when it’s kicked gently but will over-bend and lose thrust when it’s kicked hard. Stiffer fins, on the other hand, achieve that ideal 45-degree angle when kicked hard but remain too flat to be efficient when kicked gently. Consequently, both types require the diver to compromise his or her kicking style to get any efficiency out of the fin.

 

On the Seawing Nova, by creating a fixed angle of attack, the unique G4 hinge also allows the blade to flex easily to that ideal 45-degree angle but prevents it from flexing further as kicking strength increases. Therefore, the angle of attack is close to the optimal 45 degrees at all times, regardless of kicking strength. Kicking easy or kicking hard, the Seawing Nova lets you always maintain the optimum angle of attack for maximum performance.

On a traditional paddle fin, that non-productive or “dead” section where foot pocket and blade meet creates a lot of drag without generating any thrust.

On the Seawing Nova, engineers eliminated this section, creating a “Clean Water Blade” where water flows cleanly onto the working part of the blade, reducing drag and increasing thrust. 

The ‘dead’ section between the foot pocket and the blade of a traditional fin generates drag but not thrust. We removed it! This means that water is free to flow cleanly onto the working section of the blade. Drag is reduced, and thrust is increased.

MATBOCK Skins, SCUBAPRO, has been working with MATBOCK to develop Skins for SCUBAPRO fins that will help you adapt your fins to every environment. Perfect for Over the Beach or River and Stream crossing. The patent Pending MATBOCK Skins is a multi-layer adhesive/ fabric laminate designed to give the user the ability to camouflage any surface desired. The Skins are waterproof, and oil resistant can be reused mutable times. Skins are designed and laser-cut specifically for the following fins, Seawing Nova’s, Gorilla, and SCUBAPRO Jet fins.

Mustang Survival Announces As Official Supplier Of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team In The Challenge For The 36th America’s Cup

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020

This exciting project highlights the strong bond between heritage and innovation on both sides.

Burnaby, BC – Mustang Survival , the Canadian brand known for innovative solutions for the most demanding marine environments, is excited to announce that it will supply equipment for extreme offshore activities of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team, as it challenges for the 36th Americas Cup.

This project highlights the strong bond between heritage and innovation on both sides. Mustang Survival has been providing confidence to sailors for over 50 years and continues to push the boundaries on innovation in the Maritime environment. The America’s Cup, now in its 36th edition, is the oldest trophy in the history of sport and 170 years later still sees the participation of the most technologically advanced boats in the world.

The Mustang Survival gear will integrate the official team uniform with four items designed for activities in extreme offshore conditions. The Mustang foul weather apparel, developed and built at its Burnaby Waterlife Studio, will include the EP 6.5 Ocean Racing Jacket, Smock, Salopette & Drysuit, all of which made from military grade GORE-TEX®

“Mustang Survival provides guaranteed protection against the elements at 50 knots, ensuring each one of us can focus on doing our job to the best of our ability day after day” said team member Shannon Falcone. “With over 40 team members on the water when supporting the AC75 training sessions, maximizing the collective efficiency means we can focus on our goal of winning the America’s Cup. I look forward to taking on this challenge together!”

“We are honored to add value to such a respected team in what is a very competitive arena. We stand behind our product and are confident the team will be protected in the toughest of conditions. This will allow them to focus on their task at hand, training to compete in their 6th America’s Cup. We are excited to be part of that journey – Jason Leggatt, President Mustang Survival.

The city of Cagliari will give way to the first regattas from 23rd-26th April 2020, hosting the opening stage of the America’s World Cup Series. Additional ACWS regattas will take place in Portsmouth, England, from 4th-7th June and will end in Auckland, New Zealand, from 17th-20th December. The Prada Cup Challenger Selection Series is scheduled in Auckland in early 2021 and will determine the team who will face the Defender in the 36th America’s Cup presented by Prada. The match for the Auld Mug is set to take place from 6th-21st March 2021 in the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland, NZ.

For more information, please visit www.mustangsurvival.com

Spatial Integrated Systems (SIS) Wins US Coast Guard Maritime Domain Awareness Pilot Study Contract

Sunday, March 1st, 2020

SIS’s SMART™ Autonomy System is unmatched for cooperative missions

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., February 25, 2020 – Spatial Integrated Systems Inc. (SIS) of Virginia Beach, VA, has been awarded a contract with the US Coast Guard (USCG) to demonstrate an autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) System to examine the feasibility of improving Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) in the remote Pacific Ocean. SIS partnered with MetalCraft Marine U.S. of Watertown, NY, and Navatek, based in Honolulu, HI.  The partnership marries two mature, commercially available products, the SIS Multi-Agent Robotic Teams (SMART™) Autonomy System and the MetalCraft 7m Interceptor Boat, for commercial sale as an intelligent, goal-oriented autonomous USV. The integration of SIS’s SMART™ Autonomy to MetalCraft’s 7m Interceptor is seamless, inexpensive and will demonstrate to the USCG the opportunity to optionally unman/man any auxiliary craft in their inventory. SMART™ Autonomy is COLREGS compliant and is the leader in multi-robot control, offering unmatched capability for swarm and cooperative missions with multiple UxVs. The 7m Interceptor, which is currently being employed by the USCG Cutter Boat-Large (CB-L) Program, was specifically chosen because it can operate in extreme conditions, has been proven for launch and recovery from USCG Cutters and has a large space for future payloads. 

SIS will demonstrate a comprehensive ability to detect threats and safeguard our homeland, prevent illegal fishing, and stop intrusion into protected marine sanctuaries. “We are excited to demonstrate the maturity of our technology and the flexibility to employ multiple optionally manned platforms affording a Coast Guard Commander tremendous opportunities,” said Sam Lewis, SIS’s President & Chief Operating Officer. The open ocean demonstration will be conducted this summer approximately 30 miles south of Oahu, HI, in a 20 square mile area. Spatial Integrated Systems is proud to have been chosen by the USCG to conduct this demonstration and to play a leading role in the sustainment of America’s edge in autonomy and unmanned systems. 

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Iran – Iraq War USSOCOM History

Sunday, March 1st, 2020

Iraq attacked Iran in September 1980, launching a war that would last eight years. By 1982, more than 100,000 people had died. The war was costing each side about $1 billion a month and devastated both countries’ oil industries. In the so-called “tanker war,” both countries launched attacks on neutral merchant vessels transiting the Gulf (mostly Kuwaiti flagged ships). In December of 1986, the Kuwaiti government asked then-President Reagan to help protect their oil tankers from mine placed by the Iranian. Reagan sent the U.S. Navy, and the newly formed USSOCOM sent the SEALs, Special Boat Units (now Special Boat Teams), and the 160th Special Operation Aviation Regiment (SOAR). This was the first time in SOCOM history (its short history at the time) that these three groups would be deployed together. 

The Task Unit was deployed on two barges, Hercules and Wimbrown, that the Pentagon promptly converted into Mobile Sea Bases (MSBs)complete with their own extensive self-defense weapons. Naval Special Warfare Task Units (NSWTU) was run by a SEAL commander and answered to the regional Naval Special Warfare Task Group. Their mission was to stop Iranian forces from mining the Persian Gulf or otherwise attacking shipping. Each MSB had two detachments of Mark III patrol boats, a SEAL platoon, an EOD detachment, Marines to provide security, army MH-6, and AH-6 Little Bird helicopter gunships and Black Hawk rescue birds, and an air force combat controllers. MSB Hercules was manned by East Coast NSW, SEAL Team Two, and SBU 20 and 24. MSB Wimbrown 7 was manned by West Coast SEAL Team One and SBU 12 and 13. They also had other boats and helos available to them, like the SeaFox.

On September 21, a trio of Little Bird choppers flying off the frigate Jarrett was assigned to shadow the Iranian tank landing ship Iran Ajr,s suspected to have been converted for minelaying. An MH-6 helicopter equipped with a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor and night-vision goggles led the way, escorted by two AH-6 gunships loaded with 7.62-millimeter miniguns and 2.75” rocket pods. The helicopter crews recorded the Iran Ajr’s crew deploying mines next to the Middle Shoals navigational buoy used by tankers. The Little Birds were ordered to open fire, and they opened up on the Iranians with their miniguns, the crew to take cover and did not return fire. The Iranian sailors resumed deploying the mines a half-hour later. This time the 160th pilots unleashed a sustained barrage, including rockets, killing three crew—and causing the remaining twenty-six to abandon ship. The following morning, SEALs on Mark III Patrol Boats rescued all but two of the Iranian sailors and boarded Iran Ajr. They found nine mines onboard and seized a logbook recording past minelaying activity, including maps showing the locations of those mines. Then the Navy towed Iran Ajr’s too deep water and blew her up.

A trio of minigun-armed MH-6 helicopters tangled again with four Iranian ships approaching MSB Hercules on October 8, including a corvette, a Swedish-built Boghammar, and two Boston whaler type boats. The Boghammar’s crew fired Stinger missiles at the scout helicopters before being sunk by return fire. Eight Iranian crew were killed, and six more rescued from the water. One of the Boghammar’s was later brought back and used by SBU-12/13 for the Coronado July 4 demonstrations and as an aggressor boat for exercises in the San Diego area.

When an Iranian missile struck the U.S.-flagged Sea Island City on October 16, injuring eighteen crew, Washington authorized a counterattack three days later called Operation Nimble Archer, resulting in the destruction of two Iranian oil platforms used to host IRGCN boats. 

But Iranian minelaying continued. On April 14, 1988, the crew of the frigate Samuel B. Roberts spotted three Iranian mines and realized she had unwittingly cruised into a minefield. While attempting to back out of danger, Roberts struck a mine that nearly split her in two and injured ten sailors. A heroic damage control effort saved the ship and her crew. Navy divers later identified additional mines in the area—with serial numbers identical to those on the Iran Ajr’s. Four days later, the U.S. launched a second retaliatory strike targeting two more Iranian oil platforms called Operation Praying Mantis. This time frigates and gunboats of the regular Iranian Navy counter attacked, resulting in the U.S. Navy’s largest naval battle since World War II, in which half of Iran’s surface combatants were sunk or crippled.

The Iran-Iraq war ended four months later—but not before one final tragic incident. On July 3, the U.S. Aegis missile cruiser Vincennes was skirmishing with Iranian fast boats, having unknowingly entered Iranian territorial waters, when her radar reported an Iranian F-14 Tomcat fighter was approaching her. The cruiser fired two radar-guided SM-2 missiles at the contact—bringing down Iranian A300 airliner Flight 655, killing all 290 civilians aboard. 

Operation Earnest Will concluded September 26 when the USS Vandergrift escorted a final tanker into the Persian Gulf. The operatives involved in Prime Chance remained active, however, until June 1990.

www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/ussocoms-first-test-of-fire-operations-prime-chance-and-praying-mantis

Zodiac Milpro 2019 Demo Boat For Sale

Tuesday, February 25th, 2020

Zodiac sent us this announcement. It’s not an opportunity you see come up every day.

Zodiac Milpro is selling our 2019 product demo boat for $220,000 with a limited warranty and 110hrs on the engines.

The SRA900 is the latest iteration of the highly successful SeaRib Aluminum range.   Designed as a multipurpose platform with multiple configurations, the demo craft is outfitted with twin 300hp outboard engines, semi-enclosed cabin, dive access door, and shock mitigating seats, trailer is included.

Zodiac Milpro would like to invite you and any other interested parties to a personal demonstration.

Foreign Military Sales contact jim.keller@zodiacmilpro.com

USCG/Professional Sales contact jake.albinio@zodiacmilpro.com

US Military sales contact nate.smith@zodiacmilpro.com

 

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Carlson’s Raiders

Sunday, February 23rd, 2020

It’s not hard to say that anyone who wanted to be in the military Special Forces when they were a kid, has watched the movie Gung Ho! So, in honor of Evan F Carlson’s Birthday on the 26th, here is the movie Gung HO! About Carlson’s Raiders. He really was one of the best leaders in the history of the military and help build the foundation that is todays Special Forces. He spends over two years in China with the guerrilla learning special tactics that he would bring to the US to help fight the Japanese in WW2. We need more leads like this in the world. Here is an article about him if you have not heard of him or just want to brush up.

warfarehistorynetwork.com/2015/07/27/evans-carlson-forms-carlsons-raiders