USN going back to using Morse Code

Stand down you PC millennial sailors, no reason to run for your safe space on the ship.You will not be required to learn Morse Code.





A few years ago when the U.S. military learned that Russia could block GPS satellite signals the Navy brought back the old sextant and all naval ship officers are now required to brush up on celestial navigation.

Now it looks like the 200 year old maritime signal lamp will be coming back.

Maybe the M-14 is next ?

Office of Naval Research Set to Upgrade the 200-Year-Old Signal Lamp for Modern Stealth Communication




For more than 200 years the signal lamp was used by navies the world over to silently send messages over stretches of distant seas. But since the close of World War II the fundamentals behind the signaling device haven’t changed much, as new types of radio and digital communications surpassed the speed and reliability of visual signaling.

Now, a new project from the Office of Naval Research is set to bring new life and operational relevance to the signal lamp by giving it a 21st-century upgrade to automate sending and receiving messages.

In the modern U.S. Navy the lamps are still important for radio silent operations where ships are close together – like underway replenishments – but outside specific instances they’re not often used.

“Whenever you were around another ship at night, you made the signalmen do it,” Bryan McGrath, the former commander of the guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG-84), told USNI News on Tuesday.
“We’d go to talk to the other signalmen for the hell of it because it’s so rare that you got do it.”

Acting on a 2016 request from the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), the ONR TechSolutions office ran a test in June to replace a trained signal operator with a camera and a digital tablet to send messages back and forth in dots and dashes of Morse code.

The Flashing Light to Text Converter (FLTC) was developed as part of $750,000 effort with ONR, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, Fla., and Creative MicroSystems Corp.

“Our tablet has the text messaging interface software on it. It has a USB camera that mounts to the searchlight, and it’s got a signal cable to the controlling mechanism,” ONR TechSoultions assistant program manager Jason Payne told USNI News on Tuesday.
“A sailor types a message on the tablet. Hits send and then one of those… variants automates the flashing to transmit the Morse code from one signal lamp to be picked up by the camera mounted to the opposing signal lamp, which sends [the signal] back to the tablet for translation.”

The initial June test proved basic Morse code can be sent back and forth between ships – in this case cruiser USS Monterey (CG-61) and destroyer USS Stout (DDG-55) as the ships sat pierside at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

ONR told USNI News that early feedback from sailors was positive and that they wanted additional capabilities like being able to send pre-written common messages and having the tablet come equipped with a translator for foreign ships. Marines are interested in using the lamps to signal to ships from deployed units ashore.

The next series of tests will swap the lamp’s xenon light bulb for an LED array for a more complex test that could transmit thousands of characters a second using visible light.

“We’re doing a follow-on effort, a Phase 2 to pursue the LED solution to achieve a 1khz rate of transmission – or about 1,200 words per minute – using the Morse code scheme, but we would like to explore a binary method or even modulation of the frequency of the LED,” Payne said.

“With LEDs, it is possible to control light brightness at a frequency much higher than conventional light bulbs: LEDs can be switched on and off at very high rates. As result, LED-based lighting can be used for wireless communication services by modulating the intensity of the emitted light,” according to Disney Research, who is using the technology to develop children’s products.
“We call this concept Visible Light Communication (VLC) with LED-to-LED networking. … VLC creates opportunities for low-cost, safe, and environmentally friendly wireless communication solutions.”

In other words, VLC – or LiFi – is communication that can move major amounts of data without using electromagnetic signals that could be detected and deciphered by adversaries listening in. The modification of the signal lamp and the inclusion of sensors that can read the LED information passed via the visual light – or near infrared – could provide ships an avenue to move significant amounts of data beyond the 120 characters a minute that could be sent with an exceptional Morse code operator.

“I think it’s genius,” McGrath said.
“In an era which signal control is going to be at a premium and we’re going to want, when we want to be able to thoroughly cut off as much the exploitable signals as we can on surface ships, this is true genius.”

https://news.usni.org/2017/07/19/of...230369141&mc_cid=1dab6d4285&mc_eid=2aedd16e3c

 

There have been laser systems already doing this, only at much higher frequencies and longer ranges. The method in the OP is a great fallback as well, though a lot slower. the laser gear is fast enough and carries enough data to synchronize with weapon systems for many miles, including airborne, without the need for human translators, and can also send maps without any need to be linked to a central network, though they do require a separate hardware route to most of the on board weapon systems, which merely involves running a fiber optic cable, and an on board receivers can also receive via LOS onboard as well. Of course fiber optics is just another version of 'LOS' reception.

In any case, I wasn't aware they were not teaching signals any more; that's pretty stupid, especially for Navy personell. that's just basic stuff everybody should know in the military.

 

Todays American sailors aren't really sailors. They dress like janitors wearing coveralls or sometimes they think they are soldiers and dress in cammies and soon they will not be issued pea coats.

 

Well, so someone has seen the writing on the wall.

Everyone should be required to learn morse, semaphore, and flags. Anyone that thinks its too hard shouldn't be in the military anyway.

 

I concur.

Do you know how many millennials are showing up for basic training today and can't even read a freaking road map let a loan a compass ? They are all dependent on technology like GPS.

Guess what ? The next real war going against a sovereign nation who has a real army, navy and air force, the war will begin in space knocking out communication, spy and GPS satellites.

Those soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen who are dependent on technology will die.

 

My god, how will they ever survive if they aren't dressed like Japanese elementary students?!?

 

Knocking out satellites is not as easy as you make it sound.

 

Japanese elementary students are already dressing like janitors wearing overalls.

 

The Chi-Coms did it the first time around.

It led to the Hollywood Left making a movie about what happens when you use a missile to blow up a satellite in space. A whole lot of crap (debris) is in orbit hitting other satellites or even the International Space Station. But the Hollywood Left rarely wanting to be historically correct blamed the Russians not the Chi-Coms for blowing up one of their satellites in the movie "Gravity."

The Russians don't need to take out satellites. they are already able to blind satellites while on the ground blocking GPS signals and blocking communication signals that even cell phones don't work.

Krasukha-4



Description:

The 1RL257 or Krasukha-4 is a Russian-made mobile electronic warfare system designed and manufactured by the Company Bryansk Electromechanical Plant (KRET). The Krasukha-4 is intended to neutralize Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) spy satellites, ground-based radars and airborne radars (AWACS) at ranges between 150 to 300 kilometers. The system is also able to cause damage to the enemy's EW (Electronic Warfare) systems and communications. In November 2013, Russia’s Defense Ministry has received the first electronic warfare system Krasukha-4. The stations, which will complement Krasukha-2 units already in use by the Russian army, will provide the military with powerful radar jamming capability. More specifically, the Krasukha-4 has been described as a tool against “flying radars,” such as the USAF E-8 Joint STARS aircraft, or reconnaissance satellites - like the United States’ Lacrosse satellite - and a means of protection against surveillance and combat unmanned aerial vehicles, otherwise known as drones.


Technical Data:

Equipment
A large turret is mounted at the top of a shelter mounted at the rear of an 8x8military truck chassis. Two circular antenna are mounted on each side of the turret. A telescopic mast with another antenna is fitted at the rear of the turret. In travel position, the turret is stored inside the shelter. In combat position, two hydraulic stabilizers are lowered on the ground mounted on each side of the shelter.
Design
The 1RL257 Krasukha-4 vehicle is fitted with a crew cabin at the front and one shelter mounted at the rear of the truck chassis. The cab can be fitted with a class 5a armour which provides a protection against firing of small arms AKM 7.62mm.
Mobility
The 1RL257 Krasukha-4 is based on a Kamaz 6350 8x8 military truck chassis. The truck is motorized with the KamAZ-740.50-360 diesel engine developing 360hp. The truck can run at maximum speed of 95 km/h with a maximum road range of 1,000 km. the truck design ensures the fording depth of 1.75m.
Combat use
Mobile electronic warfare systems "Krasuha-4" suppress spy satellites, ground-based radars and airborne systems AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System). The Krasukha-4 system works by creating powerful jamming at the fundamental radar frequencies and other radio-emitting sources. Krasukha-4 is able to effectively shield objects on the ground against radio-locating surveillance satellites, ground-based radars, or aircraft-installed Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS), according the manufacturer. Interference caused by Krasukha-4 will render radio-controlled missile attacks ineffective. The system has been designed to counter attacks from enemies possessing advanced technologies.


http://www.armyrecognition.com/russ...nical_data_sheet_pictures_video_10610156.html

 

Jamming makes you the biggest, brightest target on the battlefield. If they tried to use a system like that against us, they would instantly telegraph their position to every US SIGINT sensor at a considerably larger distance than they can jam. Then we'd follow it up with Anti-Radiation Missiles set to seek-on-jammer mode.

Gravity was a **** movie when it came to scientific accuracy. It totally ignores that there is a such a thing as different orbital levels and planes. The move where they go from the Hubble to the ISS? Yeah that's impossible.

The highest satellite shootdown in history occurred against a satellite in low earth orbit approximately 800 miles up. GPS satellites orbit 12 THOUSAND miles up. Communications and a lot of our intelligence satellites orbit more than 20,000 miles up. There are no anti-satellite weapons currently in existence that can bring any of those down. Only satellites in low earth orbit can be destroyed.

 

Kids used to learn it in the Cub Scouts, at least the basics, including how to use one of those nifty little 'Official Boy Scout' compasses mounted on the square base plate that had all kinds of useful stuff on it for land navigation, and pretty accurate, too.

 

I never got the whole 'cammo' and 'beret' fashion blowout thing; it's more than ridiculous. If the morale was so low some morons thought that crap would boost it then you should just accept that your units are on the verge of mass suicides or something at that point.

 

My understanding the beret for every soldier and being to allow soldiers to wear their BDU's off base was all a recruiting gimmick.

Having the right to wear a beret in the U.S. Army use to be something a soldier had to earn to wear. (Special Forces (Green Berets), Rangers, Air Born, etc.

 

For the most part, yes; some got to wear the Green by merely being transferred to a SF quartermaster unit because they could handle a forklift. That wouldn't be the case for Ranger or Airborne, though.

 

During wartime, it's not uncommon for ships to signal each other without any electronic emissions. With stealth becoming a bigger piece of the puzzle it makes sense to add ship to ship communications to the mix as well.

 

Its amazing how "dumbed down" Americans have become. Little tasks which were commonplace (such as every kid learning morse just so they could signal each other after bed time) is now seen as a major mental task. God forbid they learn something like land navigation.

 

Ever watched what happens when the younger generation can't find the television remote ?

It's actually funny and sad.

I was over at my sisters house and walk in to the living room and my nephew was watching the sewing channel.

Why are you watching the sewing channel ?

"I can't find the remote" unaware he could get up and walk over to the television and manually change the channel.

Most millennials today have become so dependent on technology they can't even read a road map and are dependent on GPS.

 

LOL, I have seen it also. I was at a friends house and the teens couldn't find the remote so they must have spent 20 minutes searching for it instead of just walking to the tv and using the buttons.

As long as the nation only needs a few good men, I guess we are ok. If we need to draft an army, there will be a lot of pain.

 

Every watched an old person try and figure out a new piece of technology. It's funny and sad.
I swear my 3 year old learned to use an iPhone much quicker then most old people.

 

In all fairness, the buttons for my big screen are on the back, are tiny and close together so even if you know which one you are supposed to be pushing, it doesn't mean you may not end up having to reformat the dishwasher software before the TV gets cable again or some crap. That is literally a rule in my house---Thou Shalt Not Touch The Buttons On The Back of the TV.

 

You have one of those smart TV's that want you to become 100% dependent on technology.

Don't forget to put some tape over that micro-mini camera and disconnect the mini microphones that listens to every thing you say that both Google and the CIA uses to spy you.

If you have a smart TV, take a closer look at your privacy settings

-> https://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/09/if-...e-a-closer-look-at-your-privacy-settings.html

 

Manually changing the channel doesn't work when you have a DVR or something like Amazon Alexa. Changing the TV channel just shows you static.

 

Probably because those buttons don't work. If they are hooked up to a cable box or a streaming media device, changing the channel on the TV just results in watching a blank blue screen.

This thread is totally full of dinosaurs. "Kids today don't know how to use Morse code!"

Well old farts don't even know that changing the channel on the TV manually does nothing when the TV has to be set to a specific channel for the cable to work.

You tell me which piece of knowledge is more useful in daily life today.

 

Why would kids need Morse to signal each other? They have ****ing cell phones now.

 

Ever watched a young person doing basic math calculations without a calculator ?