The Unsung Heroes of World War II: The Collaborative Effort of the U.S., the U.K., and Australia in Defeating the Axis Powers

Press reports from Politico reflect that a plan by the United States, Australia, and the U.K are to share submarine technology as part of a strategic effort to counter Chinese naval power in the Pacific. The three countries have agreed to deepen their defense cooperation and share information on the development of new submarines, including advanced propulsion systems and stealth technology. The plan is aimed at strengthening the allies’ ability to detect and deter Chinese submarines, which have become increasingly active in the region. The article also notes that the plan is likely to further strain the already tense relationship between the three allies and China.

Takeaways:

  • The US, Australia, and the UK plan to share submarine technology as a strategic effort to counter Chinese naval power in the Pacific.
  • The plan includes deepening defense cooperation and sharing information on the development of new submarines with advanced propulsion systems and stealth technology.
  • The aim is to strengthen the allies’ ability to detect and deter Chinese submarines that have become increasingly active in the region.
  • The plan is likely to further strain the already tense relationship between the three allies and China.

The Power of Collaboration: The Story of the U.S., the U.K., and Australia in World War

Historical Context

  • The U.S., the U.K., and Australia collaborated in World War II to defeat the Axis powers.
  • The allies faced significant challenges, including the threat posed by German U-boats in the Atlantic.
  • The U.S. and the U.K. developed a plan to build aircraft carriers capable of tracking and destroying enemy subs
  • Australia provided the necessary shipbuilding expertise to build two carriers, which played a key role in the final months of the war.
  • The collaboration between the three nations continued after the war and remains strong today, reflecting the enduring power of collaboration and shared values.
  • In the early days of World War II, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia came together in a collaborative effort to defeat the Axis powers. The three nations formed an alliance that would prove to be instrumental in turning the tide of the war.

As the war raged on, the Allies faced numerous challenges and setbacks. One of the most significant was the threat posed by German U-boats, which were wreaking havoc on Allied shipping in the Atlantic. To combat this threat, the U.S. and the U.K. came up with a plan to build a new type of vessel – an aircraft carrier that could launch planes capable of tracking and destroying enemy subs.

The U.S. and the U.K. quickly realized that they didn’t have the resources to build these carriers on their own. They needed help from a nation with a strong naval tradition and the necessary shipbuilding expertise. That nation was Australia.

Australia eagerly joined the project and quickly set to work building two of these new carriers – the HMAS Melbourne and the HMAS Sydney. The carriers were launched in 1945 and played a key role in the final months of the war, helping to track down and destroy numerous German U-boats.

The collaboration between the U.S., the U.K., and Australia didn’t end with the war, however. In the years that followed, the three nations continued to work closely together on a wide range of issues, from defense to trade and beyond.

Today, the bond between the U.S., the U.K., and Australia remains strong, a testament to the enduring power of collaboration and the shared values that unite us all.

US Navy Reviews Cost-Saving Design Changes Before Resuming Amphibious Assault Ship Purchases

USS America (LHA-6) sailing in 2018.

The US Navy is reviewing cost-saving design changes before resuming amphibious assault ship purchases according to Defense News. The review comes after concerns were raised about the cost of these ships, which have seen a significant increase in price due to various factors. The Navy is looking at ways to reduce costs, including changing the design of the ships and exploring other options. The goal is to find a way to build the ships at a more reasonable cost while still meeting the Navy’s needs for amphibious warfare capabilities. The review is ongoing, and no decisions have been made yet regarding resuming amphibious assault ship purchases.

Takeaways

* The cost of these ships has increased significantly, prompting concerns.
* The Navy is exploring ways to reduce costs while still meeting its needs for amphibious warfare capabilities.
* No decisions have been made yet regarding resuming amphibious assault ship purchases.

In September of 2021, BreakingcDefense reported that, Senate lawmakers are continuing a years-long endeavor to “encourage” the Navy into adapting a multi-year procurement strategy to buy amphibious ships, with this year’s version of its defense policy bill directing the Navy secretary to provide a business case analysis to prove if the strategy has merit the article said.

“The committee believes that a block buy, multi-ship, or multiyear procurement approach for LPD-17 Flight II-class amphibious transport ships and LHA-10 would provide substantial cost savings as well as needed stability and predictability for the shipbuilder and its vendor base,” according to a report accompanying the Senate Armed Services Committee’s draft defense policy bill, known as the fiscal year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act.

Navy Adopts Augmented Reality and Awards Contract

ThirdEye Gen, a provider of augmented and mixed reality solutions, has won a contract from the US Navy to enhance its operations with augmented reality technology. The company will provide its X2 MR Glasses and software platform to enable hands-free access to critical information in real-time. The technology will improve situational awareness, reduce errors, and enhance the overall performance of Navy personnel. The contract marks a significant milestone for ThirdEye Gen as it expands its presence in the defense industry.

Why does this matter?

The US Navy has recognized the potential benefits of augmented reality technology in enhancing its operations. With the use of ThirdEye Gen’s X2 MR Glasses and software platform, Navy personnel can access critical information in real-time and hands-free, which improves their situational awareness and reduces errors. The technology can also enhance the overall performance of Navy personnel, thereby improving the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations.

How does Augmented Reality work?

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital information or virtual objects onto the real-world environment in real-time. It’s different from virtual reality (VR) which creates a completely immersive, computer-generated environment.

AR can be experienced through devices like smartphones, tablets, or special glasses that use cameras, sensors, and software to superimpose digital content on the user’s view of the physical world. This can include anything from 3D models and animations to text, images, and videos.

AR has a wide range of applications, from gaming and entertainment to education, healthcare, and manufacturing. It can also be used for training and simulation purposes, as well as in military and defense operations to enhance situational awareness and decision-making capabilities.

Delivery of USNS John Canley

Expeditionary sea base USNS John L. Canley (ESB-6), Military Sealift Command’s newest ship, at its christening ceremony at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego, Calif.

The US Navy has taken delivery of USNS John L. Canley (ESB 6), an ESB-class ship designed for various military operations such as Airborne Mine Counter Measures, Special Operations Force operations, Crisis Response Sea-basing, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance, and Unmanned Aviation Systems operations. The ESB-class ships have a flight deck capable of supporting MH-53E helicopters, accommodations, workspaces, and ordnance storage for embarked forces, and enhanced command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence. The ship is part of the critical access infrastructure that supports the deployment of forces. The future USS Robert E. Simanek (ESB 7) is currently under construction at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego.

US Navy has taken delivery of its fourth Lewis B Puller-class expeditionary

The US Navy has taken delivery of its fourth Lewis B Puller-class expeditionary sea base (ESB) ship, USNS John L Canley. The ship was handed over to the Navy during a ceremony at General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company’s (GD-NASSCO) shipyard in San Diego. The ESB ships are designed to act as critical infrastructure to support equipment supply and deployment of forces at sea. The highly flexible vessels can perform a wide range of military operations, including Special Operations Force missions, crisis response sea-basing, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. The new ship is named in honour of former US Marine Corps gunnery sergeant John L Canley.

General Dynamics NASSCO has been designing and building ships in San Diego’s industrial corridor since 1960 and is the only full-service shipyard on the West Coast of the United States.

Today, General Dynamics NASSCO has locations on both the West and East Coasts. The company specializes in the design and construction of auxiliary and support ships for the U.S. Navy and oil tankers and dry cargo carriers for commercial markets. It is also a major provider of repair services for the U.S. Navy’s global force for good, with capabilities in San Diego, Norfolk, Mayport, and Bremerton.

General Dynamics NASSCO is one of three shipyards in the Marine Systems group of General Dynamics Corporation (NYSE: GD). General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies

8 East Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92113
Main: (619) 544-3400
Fax: (619) 544-3541

Navy and Industry Collaborate – Challenges and Opportunities

Industry executives at the WEST 2023 conference have emphasized the need for earlier involvement in the requirements process in order to overcome challenges faced by industry when delivering capabilities to warfighters. Setting unrealistic expectations for requirements leads to poor communication between industry partners and the military, which can be addressed by involving industry experts in the requirements-setting process. Additionally, industry representatives stressed the importance of a steady demand signal and shared commitment to speed in the contracting process, as well as the need for improved training to ensure successful integration between industry-delivered hardware and software capabilities and the sailors operating them. These comments follow criticism from Navy officials in January about the need for shipbuilders to do more with what they already have.

Newport News Shipbuilding Apprenticeship Program

Instructor Natasha Diaz guides a student on how to use 3D scanner software in the Ray Bagley Innovation Lab at The Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School. (Photo by Ashley Cowan/HII)

Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School has launched the Ray Bagley Innovation Lab, a mobile laboratory designed to introduce K-12 students and new apprentices to the various trades involved in building ships. The lab covers all 19 trades offered by the school and is intentionally mobile so that it can be used in a variety of settings, such as community events and high school career days. The lab has been funded by Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), Verizon, and BayPort Credit Union, and is part of HII’s efforts to train and develop the next generation of shipbuilders. The Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School offers tuition-free apprenticeships in 19 trades, and is accredited by the Council for Occupational Education. Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc

About HII

Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HII’s mission is to deliver the world’s most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.

As the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HII’s workforce is 43,000 strong.

CORPORATE LOCATIONS
Newport News Shipbuilding
4101 Washington Ave Newport News, VA 23607
Ingalls Shipbuilding
1000 Jerry St. Pe’ Highway Pascagoula, MS 39568
Mission Technologies
8350 Broad Street, Suite 1400 McLean, VA 22102
HII Washington, DC
300 M Street SE Washington, DC 20003

USNS Cody, EPF Vessel Christened

Austal USA has christened the USNS Cody, its 14th Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel and the first EPF Flight II. The ceremony was attended by Navy leaders, elected officials, and ship sponsor Averil D. Spencer. The EPF Flight II provides an expanded medical capability, including a basic secondary health care facility, an intensive care unit, and limited x-ray, laboratory, and dental support. The catamaran design of the EPF provides stability for onboard medical procedures, and enhanced capabilities support V-22 flight operations and the launch and recovery of 11-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats. Austal USA has two more EPF Flight II ships under construction and a third under contract.

The vision of Austal USA, located in Mobile, Alabama, was realized in 1999 for the purpose of reaching the ever increasing commercial and defense aluminum vessel market in the United States. Our shipbuilding facility occupies 164 acres on the eastern shore of the Mobile River and is strategically positioned at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico.

Austal USA

100 Austal Way
Mobile, Alabama 36602
(251) 434-8000

USS Nitze (DDG 94 Gets 145 Millon BAE Systems Upgrade

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Steve Smith • Public domain

The U.S. Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $145 million contract for the maintenance and modernization of the USS Nitze (DDG 94), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer. BAE Systems’ Norfolk shipyard will perform the work, including upgrading the ship’s combat and command systems, refurbishing crew living spaces, and preserving the hull. The contract could reach $161 million if all options are exercised. BAE Systems is a leading provider of ship repair and overhaul services, operating three full-service shipyards in California, Florida, and Virginia. The USS Nitze was commissioned in 2005 and is named after former Secretary of the Navy Paul Nitze.

US Navy learns costly lessons

The U.S. Navy appears to have learned its lesson after rushing new technology onto warships and speeding them into production, resulting in costly mistakes. In an article by David Sharp for ABC News, it was reported that the Navy is taking a more deliberate approach in the design and purchase of its next-generation destroyers to ensure new technologies, such as powerful lasers and hypersonic missiles, are mature before pressing ahead on construction.

Adm. Michael Gilday, chief of naval operations, acknowledged that the Navy has learned that when it moves too fast, big mistakes can be made. He stated, “Let’s be deliberate. Let’s not have our eyes become bigger than our stomach and get too far ahead of ourselves.”

The Navy is reducing risk by conducting more land tests and borrowing the radar and targeting system from the latest destroyers that’ll soon join the fleet. It’s also working with shipbuilders and designers to refine the ship’s blueprint, cost estimates, and workforce and supply forecasts.

While the Navy still plans to field new technologies on the destroyer, it’s balancing the best technology that’s reliable, affordable, and attainable. Matt Caris, a defense analyst with Avascent, said, “The Navy is trying to thread the needle with some potentially revolutionary capabilities in as low-risk and evolutionary process as possible. This was a lesson learned by the Navy’s laundry list of shameful acquisition programs.”

The Navy is trying to avoid repeating past shipbuilding mistakes, which have resulted in costly errors and early retirements of combat ships beset by problems. It’s juggling its priorities as it seeks not just a new destroyer but also a new attack submarine and a replacement for the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet. The Navy is in a difficult spot because the Biden administration is not interested in dramatically increasing the military budget.

In conclusion, the Navy’s new approach to shipbuilding is a promising step towards avoiding past mistakes and ensuring new technologies are mature before construction. It shows a willingness to learn from costly errors and take a more deliberate approach to ensure the best possible outcome. Thank you David Sharp at ABC News for reporting on this important story.