Stewart Dunne’s Post

Besides the fact that, I must admit that I was a tad-bit distracted by the Vessel on the front cover, Mazzucchi's insights on naval strategy #geopolitics in this book offers a contemporary view of potential conflicts at sea and their implications for international relations. I particularly like that this detailed analysis of modern naval strategy, set against the backdrop of growing global tensions, explores how naval power dynamics are evolving, brought about by incidents like missile attacks on vessels and the expansion of powerful navies like China's. And I've come to the conclusion that I'm interestingly and particularly drawn to this book as a result of my Bachelor's Project Research Topic 'Militarization Of The South-China Sea and Insecurity In The Asian-Pacific Region'. The book also examines the rising importance of maritime routes for global economies and security, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted their critical role. It discusses advancements in naval technologies, such as satellites, drones, and submarines. THE BIG NEWS OF THE DAY IS : It is set for release on November 13, 2024, by Éditions du Rocher. Keep an eye peeled. 👀

VESSEL REVIEW: Chilean shipyard ASMAR has handed over a new polar icebreaker to the Chilean Navy. Designed by Canadian naval architecture firm Vard Marine, 'Almirante Viel' boasts a PC5 class hull that will allow it to operate safely within the Antarctic Polar Circle, particularly in regions with temperatures as low as –30 degrees Celsius. The icrebeaker will also take on secondary missions such as search and rescue (SAR), scientific research, and logistical support, particularly the resupply of Chile’s four research stations on Antarctica. The icebreaker is outfitted to permit scientists to explore the seabed at both high and medium depths, thus enhancing continuous monitoring and providing additional oceanographic information regarding the conditions in Antarctica. Full article link in comments.

NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration and the Defense POW / MIA Accounting Agency have agreed to share ocean exploration data. This two-pronged partnership will honor U.S. military lost at sea and advance scientific ocean discovery. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dUaqWJpM [Image: In 2018, a multidisciplinary team traveled to Kiska, Alaska, to survey historic battlefields from World War II and document and honor the final resting place of U.S. and Japanese service members who lost their lives in the waters surrounding Kiska Island. The expedition, which was funded by NOAA and coordinated with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, resulted in the discovery of the missing section of the USS Abner Read, aU.S. Navy destroyer that struck a Japanese mine on August 18, 1943, resulting in the loss of 71 U.S. Navy sailors. In this image, the expedition dive team deploys to investigate sonar targets collected via an autonomous underwater vehicle, with Research Vessel Norseman II sailing in the background.] #ocean #exploration #partnership #DPAA

The most interesting thing in tech: a fascinating new paper, out of China, on how to use low-resolution satellites, combined with wave-analysis, to identify the location of Naval warships. It’s interesting science! Could it change the balance of power in conflict. Probably not. The US and China surely have all the tracking data they need from high-resolution satellites. But perhaps one day it can be used by, say, the UN to help track and limit illegal fishing or whaling vessels.

Turning tech developed for military purposes into beneficial ways to protect our oceans and its lifeforms. An interesting #technews update highlighting another use of low-res satellites besides military power.

Plenty going on in the world to argue for a resurgent Mahanian strategy for the U.S. In the 2020 U.S. Maritime Strategy, Admiral Gilday said: "Our integrated Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard must maintain clear-eyed resolve to compete with, deter, and, if necessary, defeat our adversaries while we accelerate development of a modernized, integrated all-domain naval force for the future." He went on: "Our actions in this decade will shape the maritime balance of power for the rest of this century." Four years into this decade, we don't have an updated much less agreed to strategy, and precise force design aspirations, first a 355 battle force ship goal by 2042, inculcated in NDAA 2018 (for what that is worth), and later, an aspiration of 381 battle force ships by 2054, and a sustained Navy at that capacity thereafter, was put forward to Congress in 2023. There is no universal agreement across the halls of power in the U.S. for either a 355 ship or a 381 ship Navy. These goals are largely paper tigers. Those are pretty good numbers from a strategic force design/capacity perspective; but numbers that still don't keep up with China or measure up to global commitments and potentialities. A nation built on naval mastery, and whose future role in the world depends upon naval mastery, must do better. Shipbuilding capacity is a key component - but not the only component. The quote in the article is relevant: "Basil Liddell Hart - blaming 'strategic over-extension' for the fall of British naval mastery, which he defined as 'the possession by a state of numerous defence burdens and obligations without the corresponding capacity to sustain them.'" Yes, exactly this; in our aspiration to reestablish maritime mastery and maritime power balance, if not outright maritime superiority, we must avoid "strategic over-extension." We're the United States. Strategic over-extension for every other nation in the world, should be business as usual for us. That is our history and tradition; we do nearly impossible things that other societies can't do. Comprehensive global maritime strategies do not fund or execute themselves. You can't wish or Powerpoint a 381 ship Navy into sustained existence. Analysis of shipbuilding capacity and funding levels for the Navy, juxtaposed against competing defense priorities both inside and outside the Navy, suggest that the numbers don't work out. You just can't get there from here. When you postulate what would be needed to achieve a steady-state 10-15 ship deliveries per year, sustained through 2042, or out to 2054, you conclude that, 1) we don't have the national will to commit to such investment, and, 2) the foundational infrastructures to build to those capacities, and fund sustainment for such capacities, are simply not there. In late March, Mark Kennedy and Jeffrey Kucik called for an updated National Maritime Strategy - see bonus link. I fully agree. It's time for the U.S. to return to its Mahanian roots.

VESSEL REVIEW: Chilean shipyard ASMAR has handed over a new polar icebreaker to the Chilean Navy. Designed by Canadian naval architecture firm Vard Marine, 'Almirante Viel' boasts a PC5 class hull that will allow it to operate safely within the Antarctic Polar Circle, particularly in regions with temperatures as low as –30 degrees Celsius. The icrebeaker will also take on secondary missions such as search and rescue (SAR), scientific research, and logistical support, particularly the resupply of Chile’s four research stations on Antarctica. The icebreaker is outfitted to permit scientists to explore the seabed at both high and medium depths, thus enhancing continuous monitoring and providing additional oceanographic information regarding the conditions in Antarctica. Full article link in comments.

400 years ago, a groundbreaking moment reshaped the course of naval innovation and exploration. What began as an idea, pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible, would go on to influence one of the most important technologies in maritime history. A crowd of 3,000, including royalty, gathered to witness something that had never been seen before—an invention that would change naval engineering and propel future advancements in marine technology. This demonstration, though primitive by today's standards, was the seed of an idea that continues to impact how we explore and protect our oceans. Let’s take a look back at the story of Drebbel’s invention and how it shaped the future of underwater exploration and naval warfare. How do you think innovations like these influence modern military and scientific developments? #SubmarineHistory #Innovation #MaritimeTechnology #Engineering #History #IP

JASA Prediction of oceanic ambient noise from breaking waves (often called "wind noise") can be improved by including wave parameters in the prediction. https://lnkd.in/g6dx2hSH U.S. Naval Research Laboratory #acoustics

Did you know that… one and the same physics law explains why steel ships can float 🚢 and why hot air balloons can fly 🎈 This law was discovered over 2,000 years ago. The brilliant Archimedes of Syracuse is said to have formulated this principle while taking a bath. He can truly be considered the godfather of marine engineers and naval architects. #engineering #marine #naval #Archimedes #EngineerWeek #noengineersnofuture #MULTI.engineering