The Navy claims to have
successfully completed a 30-day test of a diesel generator in connection with
the large unmanned surface vessel (LUSV) program.
Note that it was Congress that mandated the testing not the Navy. Well done, Congress.
The question is, do you
believe the Navy? Given the nearly
endless list of deceptions and outright lies we’ve documented on this blog, do
you believe the Navy?
I don’t.
The generator test was mandated by a congressional requirement inserted in the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, directing the Navy to achieve the 720-hour test milestone before the Large USV could proceed into formal development. The congressionally directed testing included 100 hours of pre-testing before the 720-hour demonstration phase commenced. During the demonstration phase, no human intervention and no preventative or corrective maintenance on the equipment was allowed.[1]
Note that it was Congress that mandated the testing not the Navy. Well done, Congress.
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/12/u-s-navy-completes-large-usv-testing-milestone/
I believe they tested the thing and I also believe there are caveats to the 'success' rating. The report with the full and real detail is locked in a file cabinet, in a safe, that was just thrown into the Marianas Trench.
ReplyDeleteWhat is your list of reasons why a diesel genset wouldn't be able to run issue free for that interval?
ReplyDeleteI have no reason to believe it could or could not. I simply no longer believe anything the Navy says. Have you heard the one about the LCS? Or the Ford? Or ...
DeleteDiesel engines alone are pretty reliable, its the generation end and the electrical switchboard and distribution area where you will have the most failures. Of the six ships I served on we never had turbine problems with the gensets, it was always the generator or switch board problems. Did they even run the genset with a electrical load and test the electrical switches. I'm with you you, I think they lie like a big dog.
DeleteSo CNO was on a Tang class boat with EMD 16-338 diesels ?
DeleteBut how long will it live afterwards?? Thats the equivalent of about 35000 miles. Who has an oil change interval like that LOL? Hopefully the test doesn't inform maintenance requirements!!
Delete"Did they even run the genset with a electrical load and test the electrical switches. "
ReplyDeleteI think you are getting warm as to where the discrepancies between the Navy and the truth may reside. They probably tested some component and it worked, but not the entire system that will need to work.
Agree CDR. I would say it's a good start but really the USN should now test the entire power system, not just the diesel.
DeleteOff Topic: Regarding the increased tension between China and the Philippines, this is the place where the US should make a stand! China seems serious about forcing a conflict with both their 9-dash claim to the South China Sea and reunification push for Taiwan. If we're going to fight, there are two significant advantages in a fight focused on preserving Philippine sovereignty.
ReplyDelete- Allies: Who knows if the Philippines would help defend Taiwan, but they would surely allow the US to use airfields and ports to defend their country. It's also a very black/white, right/wrong conflict that may make it easier for countries like Japan to engage as well. (Some countries would sit on the sideline with Taiwan, arguing it's a civil war with a legitimate PRC claim.)
- Geography: Farther from China than Taiwan, and the home field for the Philippines and their allies. The burden of distance would fall mostly to China. (There's even a chance for the Marines' dreams to come true, hiding with their missiles on random reefs and islands!)
If we're going to have to fight China, this is the place to do it.
I'd want a major naval base and air base in Mindanao.
DeleteLutefisk
They lie. Almost as much as the Airforce.
ReplyDeleteWhen the Air Corps lies, things hit the ground in uncontrolled attitudes. When the Navy lies, how can you tell ?
Delete"When the Navy lies, how can you tell ?"
DeleteYou're a long time reader of the blog. I've documented seemingly endless examples of Navy obfuscation, deception, fraud, and outright lies. So, that would be one way to answer your question.
Another way to answer is to note the numerous ship collisions and resulting deaths, groundings, fires, the use of waivers that lead to deaths, ships sitting pier side for years awaiting maintenance, and the most hollow Navy in my lifetime.
Perhaps the better question is why is the USN building a large USV in the first place?
ReplyDeleteThe navy received it's first ORCA submersible prototype XLUUV submersible among 4 others from Boeing.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/12/boeing-delivers-first-orca-xluuv-to-u-s-navy/
I am skeptical about the validity of this project even after sea trials ! How will the Navy control this large XLUUV and recover
this submersible ? Can any electronic signal to & from this platform be intercepted and located for an ASW asset to destroy it ?
The range was stated as long! But can an EW platform interfere with the electronic communication ? I am not an expert here but I think the funding priority should be solving current issues like infrastructure development/ improvements in order to produce more subs, ships, maintain assets, improve logistical means and improve mine mitigation.
Based on what has been described in this blog readiness has been problematic as well. But ship design without armor is another problem. I agree about not believing what the navy says.
This is actually one of my major concerns with the unmanned ships. Given how hard it's been for us to keep our newer ships functioning at sea even WITH a crew to perform preventative maintenance and deal with emergent problems, what makes us think a ship with NO crew can operate through a long deployment?
ReplyDeleteSo kudos to Congress for demanding this test.
"preventative maintenance and deal with emergent problems, what makes us think a ship with NO crew can operate through a long deployment" Good point and what you stated would hold true for the XLUUV unmanned submersible !
DeleteOff-topic: Happy Christmas 2023 to everybody on the blog!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to everyone !
DeleteMerry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Delete