	Ronald Reagan CVN 76 (PCU)

PCU RONALD REAGAN

Type	Aircraft Carrier - Nuclear Powered (CVN)
Class	NIMITZ
Official Name	PCU RONALD REAGAN
Pennant Number	76
Nickname	Gipper
Motto	Peace Through Strength
Builder	Newport News Ship Building, Norfolk, VA
Contract Award Date	12/08/1994
Keel Laying Date	02/12/1998
Launch Date	03/05/2001
Delivery Date	n/a
Commission Date	Spring 2003
Planning Yard	Norfolk Naval Ship Yard, Norfolk, VA
NAVSEA PMS	312
Custodian	US Navy
Status	Construction - not yet in commission
Homeport	San Diego, CA - 2004
Mailing Address (port)	n/a
UIC	22178
Type Commander	AIRPAC (Commander, Naval Air Force, Pacific)
Fleet Command	n/a
Group Command	n/a
Squadron Command	n/a
Aircraft types	SH-3 Sea King (LAMPS III), or SH-60 Sea Hawk F-14 Tomcat F/A-18 Hornet EA-6B Prowler E-2C Hawkeye S-3 Viking
Radar Systems	(1) AN/SPS-48E(V)10 3-D Air Search (1) AN/SPS-49A(V)1 Air Search (1) Furuno Model 1831 Navigation (1) AN/SPS-64(V)9 Navigation (1) AN/SPS-67(V)1 Surface Search (1) AN/SPQ-9B Gun Fire Control (1) AN/SPN-41A Air Control (1) AN/SPN-43C Air Control (1) AN/SPN-46(V)3 Air Control (4) MK-78 MOD 1 NATO Sea Sparrow Directors
Sonar Systems	none
Electronic Warfare Systems	(1) AN/SLQ-32(V)4 (2 Antennas) (1) AN/SLQ-25A NIXIE Torpedo Countermeasures
Weapon Systems	(2) MK 29 NATO Sea Sparrow 8-Cell Launchers (2) MK 31 Rolling Airframe Missile, 21 rounds ea. (6) MK-36 MOD 2 SRBOC Chaff Launchers (3) CIWS MK-15 MOD 2, 20mm 6-barrel mounts (8) M2HB, 50 Cal. Machine Guns

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	SSN Seawolf (SSN21)

SSN SEAWOLF CLASS ATTACK SUBMARINE, USA

The Seawolf was conceived as a faster, better-armed eventual replacement for the Los Angeles class nuclear-powered attack submarines. The first of class, the Seawolf (SSN21), was ordered from the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics, Connecticut, in January 1989 and commissioned in July 1997. Connecticut (SSN22) was commissioned in December 1998. The third, Jimmy Carter (SSN 23), is to be modified to improve payload carrying and underwater manoeuvrability. The alterations to the design will include modifications to the ballast control, mission management spaces and the creation of a flexible ocean interface known as a "wasp waist", which will enable the deployment and recovery of payloads without the use of torpedo tubes. The modifications will delay the submarine's delivery date to June 2004.

The Seawolf was a product of the Cold War, conceived to maintain the USA’s acoustic advantage over Soviet submarines. With the end of the Cold War and the change of emphasis to littoral operations, the cost of the Seawolf submarines was judged prohibitive and the programme was curtailed in favour of the smaller and cheaper Virginia Class New Attack submarines.

PROPULSION

The nuclear-powered Seawolf has a GE PWR S6W reactor system, two turbines rated 52,000hp (38.8MW), a pumpjet propulsor, a single shaft, and one secondary propulsion submerged motor

COMBAT SYSTEM

The combat data system is a Lockheed Martin BSY-2 with a network of some 70 or so 68030 Motorola processors. Weapons control is managed by the Raytheon Mk 2 fire control system.

DESIGN

The Seawolf’s modular design introduces important improvements and innovations. It has greater manoeuvrability than the Los Angeles Class, space for later upgrades and weapons developments, and better sonars.

The Seawolf has a submerged displacement of 8060t dived, and 7,700t surfaced. Full acoustic cladding has been installed. It has a maximum speed of 35 knots dived, and a "silent" speed of 20 knots. It can accommodate 134 personnel, including 14 officers. With a diving depth of 610m, it has been designed with a sub-ice capability, with retractable bow planes.

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SSBN TYPHOON	CLASS (TYPE 941) STRATEGIC MISSILE SUBMARINE

The Typhoon ballistic missile nuclear-powered (SSBN) submarines are the largest submarines ever to be built. They were constructed at the Severodvinsk Shipyard, on the White Sea near Archangel. The first of the six members of the class to be commissioned was TK 208 in 1981, followed by TK 202 in 1983, TK 12 in 1984, TK 13 in 1985, TK 17 in 1987 and TK 20 in 1989. The submarines were stationed with the Russian Northern Fleet at Litsa Guba.

Of the six, only TK 17 and TK 20 are operational. TK 208 has been relaunched and is to be outfitted as a trials ship. TK 12 and TK 13 are decommissioned, waiting to be scrapped. With assistance from the United States, through the Co-operative Threat Reduction Program, TK 202 has had its nuclear fuel removed by US funded processing facilities and converted into forms suitable for long term storage or re-use.

DESIGN

The Typhoon class submarine is of multi-hulled design – five inner hulls are situated inside a superstructure of the two parallel main hulls. The superstructure is coated with sound-absorbent tiles. There are 19 compartments including a strengthened module which houses the main control room and electronic equipment compartment which is above the main hulls behind the missile launch tubes.

The submarine's design includes features for travelling under ice and ice-breaking. It has an advanced stern fin with horizontal hydroplane fitted after the screws. The nose horizontal hydroplanes are in the bow section and are retractable into the hull. The retractable systems include two periscopes (one for the commander and one for general use), radio sextant, radar, radio communications, navigation and direction-finder masts. They are housed within the sail guard. The sail and sail guard have a reinforced rounded cover for ice-breaking.

Maximum diving depth is 400m. Speed is 12 knots when surfaced and 25 knots when submerged. Typhoon is capable of spending 120 days at sea.

MISSILES

The submarine carries 20 RSM-52 intercontinental, three-stage solid propellant ballistic missiles. The two rows of missile launch tubes are situated in front of the sail between the main hulls. Each missile consists of ten independently targetable multiple re-entry vehicles (MIRV's), each with a 100kt nuclear warhead. Guidance is inertial with stellar reference updating. Range is 8,300km with accuracy (CEP) of 500m. The missile weighs 84,000kg at launch and was designed by the Makayev Design Bureau. It has the NATO designation of SS-N-20 Sturgeon.

TORPEDOES

Typhoon has four 630mm torpedo tubes and two 533mm torpedo tubes with a total of 22 anti-submarine missiles and torpedoes of varying types. The torpedo room is in the upper part of the bow between the hulls. The torpedo tubes can also be used to deploy mines.

SYSTEMS

The sonar is an active/passive search and attack type with the sonar mounted on the hull under the torpedo room. The submarine is fitted with I/J band surface target detection radar.

Countermeaures include ESM (electronic support measures), radar warning system and direction-finding system.

The submarine has both radio and satellite communications systems. It is fitted with two floating antenna buoys to receive radio signals, target designation data and satellite navigation signals, at depth and under ice cover.

PROPULSION

The submarine main machinery consists of two nuclear water reactors and two turbogear assemblies comprising steam turbine and gearbox. One reactor and one turbogear assembly are fitted in each main hull. Each nuclear water reactor produces 190MW. These drive two 50,000hp steam turbines and four 3,200kW turbogenerators. Two 800kW diesel generators serve as standby propulsion units and are coupled to the shaft line. The two propellers are seven-blade, fixed-pitch shrouded. The built-in thrusters on the bow and stern are two telescopic turning screw rudders and are powered by a 750kW motor.

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	US Navy MH-60S

The multi-mission Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk is the US Navy's newly designed helicopter, which entered service in February 2002. The US Navy is expected to acquire a total of 237 of the MH-60S helicopters, to carry out missions such as Vertical Replenishment, Combat Search and Rescue, Special Warfare Support and Airborne Mine Countermeasures. 30 low-rate initial production aircraft have been delivered and the helicopter began full-rate production following a USN decision in August 2002. Nine aircraft are operational with HC-5 squadron in Guam, two on USNS San Jose, nine with HC-3 in San Diego and four with HC-6 in Norfolk Virginia. First deployment of the new helicopter took place on board USS Essex, Wasp Class amphibious assault ship, in January 2003.

The helicopter was originally designated CH-60S, as a replacement for the US Navy's Boeing CH-46D Sea Knight heavy lift helicopters in the Vertical Replenishment role. The helicopter was re-designated MH-60S as a result of an expansion in mission requirements to include a range of additional combat support capabilities. Retirement of the Sea Knights is due to conclude in 2004.

Sikorsky was awarded the US Navy contract to develop the MH-60S in 1997. The production aircraft made its maiden flight in January 2000. The operational evaluation (Opeval) began in November 2001 at the Naval Air Warfare Centre at Patuxent River in Maryland and concluded in May 2002.

DESIGN

The structure of the MH-60S is based on the proven design features of the UH-60L Black Hawk and the naval variant, the SH-60B Seahawk.

The helicopter uses the baseline structure of the Black Hawk with Seahawk T-700-GE-401C engines, hover in flight refuelling and fuel dumping. It also has the Seahawk's rotor system and dynamics, including the automatic rotor blade folding system, rapid folding tail pylon, transmission and drive train with improved durability gearbox, rotor brake and automatic flight control computer. The helicopter also uses the SEAHAWK rescue hoist for search and rescue missions and the naval cockpit doors.

The MH-60S uses the Black Hawk airframe, which provides the larger cabin volume and double-doors needed for cargo and passenger transport, enabling troops to embark and disembark quickly. The MH-60S retains the Black Hawk's provisions for mounting the external pylons to carry stores and equipment, providing added capability to carry out a wide range of missions. The MH-60S has the Black Hawk's 9,000lb external cargo hook, gunner's window, landing gear with tie downs and wire strike protection, along with hover IR suppresser, automatic stabilisation equipment and fuel cells.

New design features incorporated into the Knighthawk include the tail cone bulkhead and the large cabin is fitted with a new cabin cargo handling system.

COCKPIT

The helicopter is equipped with the new glass MH-60 Common Cockpit, which is also being fitted on the US Navy MH-60R, developed by Sikorsky to replace the Seahawk. Prime contractor for the Common Cockpit is the Owego Helo Systems division of Lockheed Martin Systems Integration at Owego New York.

The cockpit includes four 8in x 10in active matrix liquid crystal displays and dual programmable operator keysets. The avionics includes dual flight management computers and an audio management computer. The navigation suite includes a Northrop Grumman (Litton) LN-100G dual embedded global positioning system and inertial navigation system.

The pilot and copilot sit side by side on armour protected seats. A third crew member is seated next to the forward cabin window. The forward hinged doors are jettisonable.

MISSION SYSTEMS

The helicopter is designed in an air transport configuration that is easily modified with mission kits, for example mine countermeasures systems and combat search and rescue kits. The heated and ventilated main cabin can accommodate up to 20 armed troops.

AIRBORNE MINE COUNTERMEASURES

The MH-60S, fitted with airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM), will begin to replace MH-53 Sea Dragon mine countermeasures helicopters in 2005. In March 2003, Raytheon received the contract for the Airborne Mine Neutralisation System (AMNS) to be deployed from the Knighthawk. BAE Systems will supply the Archerfish expendable underwater vehicle that destroys the mines.

In August 2002, Northrop Grumman was awarded a contract to develop a Rapid Airborne Mine Clearance System (RAMICS) for deployment on the MH-60S. RAMICS is a non-towed mine neutralisation system that will clear near surface and surface moored mines using a Kaman Aerospace laser target sensor and a 30mm Mk 44 gun. The gun fires projectiles which "supercavitates" in the water to reduce drag and improve underwater flight.

COMBAT SEARCH AND RESCUE (CSAR)

In the combat search and rescue role the MH-60S will replace the current HH-60H starting in 2006. The CSAR MH-60S is equipped with a digital map, thermal imager, an electronic warfare self defence suite and the capability to carry Hellfire guided missiles, rockets, guns and machine guns.

ENGINES

The helicopter is equipped with two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines. The engine is configured with one centrifugal and five axial stages and has a take-off rating of 1,260kW. The helicopter carries 2,233l of fuel in internal fuel tanks. The helicopter is equipped with a hover in flight refuelling system (HIFR) and fuel dump vents.

The Pentagon has initiated the Integrated High Performance Turbine Engine Technology program (IHPTET) with the US Army, leading to the definition of the Common Engine Program (CEP). It is planned that the all-new engine defined under the CEP will eventually be fitted on the MH-60S helicopter.

The engines drive a four-bladed main rotor. The helicopter is equipped with electrically actuated blade folding for ease of stowage of the helicopter on board ship.

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	US Navy SEALS

The Navy SEALS of today trace their lineage to World War Two. Scout and Raider units lead the way in the invasion of North Africa. Volunteer Seabees swept the beaches clear of obstacle in Sicily and Normandy, clearing the way for the advancing Allied Armies. In 1943, the Navy created the Naval Combat Demolition Units (NCDUs). These units were manned by hand picked sailors and Marine Raiders who were in peak physical condition, showed outstanding courage and demonstrated unique resourcefulness. Later the Scout and Raider units of the Atlantic and the NCDUs of the Pacific were consolidated into one outfit, the Underwater Demolition Teams (UDTs) affectionately known as "Frogmen."

Throughout the war, in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, the Frogmen were the first to set foot on enemy held beaches, often weeks in advance of the actual invasion. Their mission was to perform hydrographic reconnaissance, scout landing sites for obstacles and enemy emplacements, and prepare plans for the demolition of those obstacles so that the beach could be as clear as possible for the Marines and Soldiers who were scheduled to storm the beaches.

During the Korean War, the Frogmen were called upon to use their skills for the Inchon landing and later conducted demolition raids on bridges, tunnels, and harbor facilities. The Frogmen kept some rivers and harbors used by the UN forces clear of mines and obstacles. In addition, the Frogmen helped form and train the Republic of Korean UDT/SEALS, who are still in service today.

In 1962, President John Kennedy ordered the United States military to begin the formation and training of units specialized in unconventional warfare. The Army formed the Green Berets and the Navy formed SEAL Teams One and Two.These new units were formed entirely from the current UDTs. The SEALS began intensive training in counter-guerilla warfare, long distance reconnaissance, supply interdiction and raids.In concert with the Navy Special Boats Units, the SEALS conducted numerous types of river patrols all along the Mekong Delta and countless rivers, streams and tributaries of South Vietnam.

After Vietnam, the SEALS have been called upon for numerous operations including URGENT FURY in Grenada in 1983, EARNEST WILL in the Persian Gulf from 1987 to 1990, OPERATION JUST CAUSE in Panama in 1989, DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM in 1990 and 1991, and OPERATION RESTORE HOPE in Somalia in 1992 and 1993.

Today the Navy SEALS serve aboard Amphibious Ready Groups deployed around the world. They can be found almost anywhere Marines go and are even now serving in places like Bosnia, Haiti and in countless training missions around the world. Navy SEAL training is among the most difficult and competitive that the United States Military has to offer. SEALS can also be found touring the country as the US Navy Leapfrogs Parachute team. This team of veteran Seals performs at air shows and competes in skydiving competitions around the world.

The US Navy Seals are a one-of-a-kind strike force trained for combat in the air, at sea, or on land. They are among the worlds most feared counter-terrorism strike forces and maintain a high state of readiness to be able to deploy around the world on a moments notice.

During Vietnam, 3 SEALS were awarded the Medal of Honor, including Senator Bob Kerrey of Nebraska.

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