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Shortly after George W. Bush won re-election, the destroyer USS Hayler (DD 997) took its last voyage to a location somewhere in the Atlantic. She carried out one last act of service for the United States Navy, serving as a target for a SINKEX – in essence, a live-fire exercise – for the Expeditionary Strike Group centered on USS Saipan (LHA 2). USS Hayler represents an interesting might-have been. In fact, had Congress had its way, she would have been the lead ship of a new class of destroyers, often called the air-capable Spruance. In many ways, the air-capable Spruance...

In October, the United States announced a proposed $11.25 billion arms deal involving the sale of four Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ships to Saudi Arabia. If Congress approves the sale, the four Saudi LCSs will be configured differently than the U.S. Navy versions. For one, the Saudi versions will definitely have an area air-defense system which the U.S. versions do not have. Additionally, the Saudi ships will be equipped with RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow surface-to-air missiles which can destroy aircraft or supersonic cruise missiles from up to 30 miles away — along with Harpoon Block II surface-to-surface missiles. It’s a formidable...

Skipper Westbook is having an interesting day. Via Tim Colton's blog, The future USS Spruance, (DDG 111), recently returned from sea trials, sustained extensive damage yesterday when the engine controls failed during a test and poured fuel into a hot engine. Not an easy business. Seems like everyone is OK though. Good new is - you can't buy training like this! I think we could have a caption contest on this. Mmmm. OK, this is the image that the CHENG saw as he looked up from his crackberry while heading to the ship. The CHENG said, ...... Hat tip Byron.UPDATE:...