Tag Archives: Navy

Technology

Here’s What Grounded The Navy T-45 Goshawk Jet

On October 14, 2022, the Navy decided to ground all of its T-45C Goshawk jet trainers due to concerns for the safety of its aviators. According to Rear Adm. Richard Brophy, Chief of Naval Air Training, this decision was made as a precautionary measure after an engine blade fault was discovered in one of the training aircraft. The grounding affected all 193 aircraft in service.

The Navy, along with its industry partner Rolls Royce, conducted a two-week safety pause to investigate the issue. This came after a training aircraft experienced a low-pressure compressor blade failure prior to takeoff.

In late October 2022, the Navy resumed flight operations for some of its T-45C Goshawk jets. However, the Naval Air Systems Command stated that their investigation revealed a subset of T-45C engine blades did not meet the manufacturer’s specifications, resulting in those specific aircraft remaining grounded. The exact number of affected jets was not disclosed by the Navy, but the partial resumption of flight operations indicates that efforts are underway to address the issue, although a resolution for the entire fleet has not been achieved yet.

Technology

How the U.S. Navy Manages Rust on Its Ships – and Why It’s More Costly Than You’d Expect

Recent images of U.S. Navy ships have been drawing attention for the wrong reasons. Rust streaks and weathered waterlines have sparked concerns among citizens and retired Naval personnel about the appearance of their ships compared to the nearly rust-free vessels of other countries.

In reality, it’s somewhat unreasonable to expect U.S. Navy vessels to maintain the same appearance as other navies, considering they are deployed worldwide for extended periods, while other countries operate mainly within their own waters and closer to docks. Nevertheless, leveraging superior resources, manpower, and funding to combat these challenges and maintain a top-notch appearance is crucial to projecting strength. The visual condition of the ships is a matter of pride and can impact how the U.S. Navy is perceived by other nations.

The fight against rust entails significant manpower, costly paint, dry-dock visits, and other expenses, leading to substantial costs for the navy. However, as wooden and aluminum ships are no longer viable options, the only option is to persist in these efforts until a revolutionary rust solution emerges.

Science, Technology

The Negative Impact of Military SONAR on Marine Life

In 2015, the U.S. District Court concluded that the Navy’s War Games in Southern California and Hawaii were in violation of laws meant to protect whales and dolphins. The court found that the high-intensity sonar exercises and underwater detonations involved in the military’s five-year plan were causing disruptions in feeding, communication, and mating behaviors of marine animals. As a result of this ruling, the U.S. Navy had to scale back its SONAR testing activities and take steps to protect marine life in collaboration with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).

Three years later, the U.S. Department of Defense published a document called the Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing, which highlighted the measures taken by the Navy to mitigate harm to marine animals. Some of these measures include having lookouts stationed and designating areas to protect seafloor resources like coral reefs, artificial reefs, and live hard bottoms. The document also emphasizes the importance of adhering to rules such as ceasing activities if a marine mammal or sea turtle is spotted and avoiding specific areas during certain times of the year.

Unfortunately, as of now, SONAR remains an integral part of naval military operations until a better alternative for navigation is invented. However, by implementing legislation and increasing knowledge about the seafloor, military units can minimize the potential damage caused by SONAR technology. Over time, it is hoped that advancements in technology will lead to the development of more efficient and less disruptive methods of underwater navigation.