L3 Communications News

U.K. Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has produced power from her onboard diesel generators (DGs) for the first time, marking a significant stage in the program. Firing up the diesel generators for the first time in Rosyth was Philip Dunne, Minister of State for Defense Procurement, who took part in a short ceremony and was accompanied by Rear Admiral Henry Parker representing the Ministry of Defense on the Aircraft Carrier Alliance (ACA), and Sir Peter Gershon, the Independent Chairman of the ACA.

In February, the U.S. Coast Guard chose three finalists to design its new Offshore Patrol Cutters, with awards to Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, La., Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Fla. and General Dynamics’ Bath Iron Works in Maine. Each company was awarded a Phase I design contract valued at between $21 million and $22 million. At the end of the 18-month Preliminary and Contract Design Phase I, the Coast Guard will choose one company’s team for a Phase II Detailed Design and Construction contract for the lead OPC.

MSC Cruises recently added a new state-of-the-art liner, the MSC Preziosa, helping the Italian company, truly a family business, attain the status of third largest cruise line in the world. MSC Preziosa is a Fantasia class cruise ship owned and operated by MSC Cruises. It entered service in March 2013 as an enhanced version of its sister ships, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia, and is identical to MSC Divina, which was launched in 2012. Built at the STX shipyard in St. Nazaire, France, MSC Preziosa is the new flagship of MSC Cruises. The new ship gained immediate recognition famous courtesy of its christening by actress Sophia Loren, and was significant as it signified that MSC Cruises is now the third largest cruise line in the world.

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc. was notified yesterday by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) that Bollinger is one of three companies selected for award of Phase I for the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program. Chris Bollinger, President of Bollinger Shipyards provided remarks today after receiving this notification. "For over three decades, Bollinger Shipyards has a legacy of producing exceptional Coast Guard Cutters on budget and on schedule. To be selected in the final competition for this program is both exciting and rewarding for our company, our talented workforce, and the State of Louisiana.

A new Offshore Simulator Center (OSC) is being finalized  in Aalesund, Norway to provide advanced training in offshore ship operations. The new facilities are located in a 'Norwegian Competence Center building' next to the Aalesund University College. The building contains several futuristic constructions, such as a 13.5m diameter aluminium dome for the offshore operations simulators, and two 4m diameter spherical domes for crane simulation. When finalized, the new centre will consist of one Offshore Operation Simulator…

The U.S. Navy today awarded a contract to a Bath Iron Works-led team for the construction of Coronado (LCS 4), the second Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) to feature an innovative, high-speed trimaran hull. The 419 ft surface combatant ship, equipped with open architecture-based combat systems and computing environment developed by General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, will be manufactured by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala. It is scheduled for delivery to the Navy in May 2012. Bath Iron Works is a subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD). The Littoral Combat Ship is a key element of the Navy's plan to address asymmetric threats of the 21st century.

L3 Communications Titan Corp., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $5,617,177 modification on a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-07-C-0071), to exercise an option for the Phase II study and analysis to develop innovative solutions to be used in mission requirements for the Affordable Weapons System. This weapon system is being designed to fill a sea-based land attack and strike mission, to operate from ships, with potential for a sea-based Navy and Marine Corps aircraft launch capability. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be completed in November 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

The team of General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin said they strongly support the U.S. Navy's plan for the next generation of surface combatant ships referred to as DD(X). The Blue Team has developed technologies relevant to the DD(X) requirement and is preparing its response to the Navy's request for proposal (RFP). DD(X) will be a technology engine that will drive a family of combatants to transform the Navy. The Navy will use the advanced technology and networking capabilities from DD(X) in the development of both the future cruiser, CG(X), and the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). This strategy will provide a road map for the future Navy and a broader strategic framework within which transformation will occur.

L3 Communications Henschel Inc., Newburyport, Mass., is being awarded an $11.3m contract, for acquisition of various quantities of Digital Ship Control Systems, Remote Displays and Navigation Converters in support of the LSD 44 Midlife Program.The contract will also provide engineering and technical services related to all LSD Ship Control Systems and associated hardware.Work will be performed in Newburyport, Mass., and is expected to be completed by September 2012.Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year.This contract was competitively procured and advertised on the Federal Business Opportunities website…

Bollinger Shipyards, Inc., has performed conversions and modifications to three separate dive support vessels for EPIC Divers & Marine. The first of the three conversions was completed on the 220-ft. x 45-ft x 21-ft dynamically positioned (DP) Class II Dive and ROV support vessel EPIC Diver at the Bollinger Algiers location. The EPIC Diver is one of the newest acquisitions to the EPIC fleet and will be their primary DP and ROV support vessel. While at Bollinger the vessel renewed her regulatory status and documentation, received DP system upgrades with the installation of the L3 Communications (Nautronix) NMS 6000 Duplex DP System, while taking on the new colors and name EPIC Diver. The vessel is ABS Certified, DPII, and SOLAS.