USS Kearsarge Becomes Osprey-Friendly Habitat | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-07.07.25

Airborne-NextGen-07.08.25

AirborneUnlimited-07.09.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.26.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.27.25

Wed, Dec 14, 2005

USS Kearsarge Becomes Osprey-Friendly Habitat

Modifies Structure to Accommodate Ospreys

The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) is receiving structural and equipment upgrades to become the first amphibious assault ship to accommodate the Marine Corps’ MV-22 Osprey. The contract is part of an array of maintenance and equipment upgrades being conducted during Kearsarge’s shipyard period at BAE Systems Norfolk, Va., until late February.

“Kearsarge is the first ship to have modifications performed for MV-22, and it’s one of the largest projects we’re working on during the yard period,” said Lt. j.g. John St. John, Kearsarge’s electronic maintenance officer. “We’re fabricating work spaces and introducing new equipment so we can accommodate this type of aircraft.”

The new workspaces, St. John explained, will be equipped with work benches so Sailors and embarked Marines can maintain the Ospreys and store its equipment.

“In one of the other spaces, there will be an MV-22 Tube Bending Shop,” St. John added. “Here, Sailors and Marines will utilize a titanium tube bending machine to fabricate parts they’ll need for Ospreys.”

In addition to Osprey modifications, Kearsarge’s Rolling Air Frame Missile (RAM) weapon system and Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) will also receive upgrades. “We’re getting a RAM MK 3 upgrade that will give us infrared missile capabilities,” said St. John.

“Our CIWS (Close-In Weapons System) will also have supporting rods, which will help hold its barrels steadier. These upgrades will help give Kearsarge a better self-defense capability.”

St. John added that other minor upgrades to the ship include a safety rail modification for its SPN 43 radar, and an alignment for its SPN 41 radar, as well as inspections to ship’s forward and aft boilers. [ANN Thanks Journalist 1st Class (SW) Robert Keilman, USS Kearsarge Public Affairs]

FMI: www.news.navy.mil/local/lhd3

Advertisement

More News

Airborne 07.02.25: TikToker Arrested, Vietnam A/L Ground Hit, ATC Modernization

Also: Outlaw Prop 4 Mooney, Ready 4 Duty, Ukrainian F-16 Pilot Lost, Blue Origin Flt On his journey to become the first pilot to land solo on all seven continents, 19-year-old Etha>[...]

Airborne Affordable Flyers 07.03.25: Sonex HW, BlackShape Gabriel, PRA Fly-In 25

Also: DarkAero Update, Electric Aircraft Symposium, Updated Instructor Guide, OSH Homebuilts Celebrate The long-awaited Sonex High Wing prototype has flown... the Sonex gang tells >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (07.07.25): Discrete Code

Discrete Code As used in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS), any one of the 4096 selectable Mode 3/A aircraft transponder codes except those ending in zero zero; >[...]

Classic Aero-TV: DeltaHawk Aero Engine Defies Convention

From 2023 (YouTube Edition): Deviation from the Historical Mean Racine, Wisconsin-based DeltaHawk is a privately-held manufacturer of reciprocating engines for aircraft and hybrid >[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (07.07.25)

Aero Linx: Formation and Safety Team (F.A.S.T.), USA The Formation and Safety Team (FAST) is a worldwide, educational organization dedicated to teaching safe formation flying in Wa>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC