US Missile Boats Could Have Saved Ukraine

ANDY CICHON 

 APRIL 6, 2022
 

Two combatant craft assault crafts perform a high-speed pass alongside the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB 4) in the Mediterranean Sea, May 26, 2021. 

Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Coffer/US Navy

The US Navy needs to develop small missile boats that can be airlifted to places where larger ships and boats cannot sail to or will arrive too late.

Unlike the small special warfare boats that can be flown in to conduct low-end and low-intensity missions, this new generation of missile boats must be capable of high-end warfighting in a contested environment.

Small Enough for Airlifting

While Russia amassed the largest land force in Europe since World War II, the US Navy’s Carrier Strike Group and allied navies conducted exercises in the Mediterranean Sea, with no possibility of entering into the Black Sea to deter Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The geography and Turkey’s control over the Dardanelles and the Bosporus prevent the US Navy’s strike groups and large numbers of blue-water combatants from transiting into the Black Sea and operating within range of Ukraine.

Short of airlifting vessels into the Black Sea, the US Navy had no other realistic option to help save Ukraine.

A Ukrainian serviceman stands near a destroyed Russian tank in Trostyanets. 

Photo: Fadel Senna/AFP

However, the US Navy does not have missile boats capable of being airlifted by US Air Force Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and Boeing C-17 Globemaster III.

Such boats could operate where US cruisers and destroyers are too large to sail into and where existing US brown-water and Special Warfare (SPECWAR) craft are too lightly armed.

Although the US Navy acquired six Pegasus-class Patrol Hydrofoil Missile boats in the 1970s and 1980s to fight against Warsaw Pact missile boats in the Baltic Sea, the service never required a missile boat to be small enough for airlifting.

Mark V Special Operations Craft

The US Naval SPECWAR had the Mark V Special Operations Craft (MK V SOC), capable of being transported by the C-5 Galaxy. Larger than its successor, the Combatant Craft Assault, the MK V SOC was designed for a crew of five to use speed and stealth to carry up to 16 SEALs in SPECWAR missions.

Within 48 hours of notification, two USAF C-5 Galaxy aircraft can transport an MK V detachment of two craft with all the supporting shore vehicles, equipment, and personnel to commence operations within 24 hours after arriving at a forward staging location.

A combatant craft assault craft steams alongside the Expeditionary Sea Base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) in the Mediterranean Sea, May 26, 2021.

 Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric Coffer/US Navy

Combining anti-ship missiles, even one as small as the 410-kilogram Naval Strike Missile (NSM), to a craft that matches the MK V’s weight, size, and low radar cross-section is within the realm of the possible.

The MK V is larger and heavier than a contemporary class of missile boats, the Dvora-class fast patrol boat. The MK V displaces over 57 tons, is 25 meters long, and 5.25 meters high and wide. The Dvora is smaller, displaces 45 tons fully loaded, is 21.5 meters long, 5.5 meters wide, and can carry two heavier 538-kilogram Taiwan Hsiung Feng I missiles or two 430-kilogram Israeli Gabriel Mk I anti-ship missiles.
Broad Use

The solution does not need to be an MK V with NSM exclusively and is not limited to the fighting in Ukraine and the Black Sea.

These boats can be airlifted to operate with NATO in the Baltic Sea if Russia’s invasion of Ukraine expands to the Baltic states or deployed from well-deck amphibious warships to support the US Marine Corps Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations mission in the Indo-Pacific.

Germany’s refusal to provide missile boats to Ukraine in the lead-up to Russia’s invasion demonstrates the need for a US-made missile boat for allied and coalition navies that require an affordable modern missile boat.

-------

Andy Cichon is a retired United States Naval Officer, who has served in various ships and staffs, including as Air Warfare Project Manager at the Royal Australian Navy’s Australian Maritime Warfare Centre, and in the Chief of Naval Operations’ staff for the US Navy’s international engagement with Australia, China, Taiwan, South Korea, and Vietnam.

He works for SAIC as a civilian war gamer at the US Navy’s Tactical Training Group Pacific.

His views are his own.

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The Defense Post.

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General Atomics Upgrades Gray Eagle-Extended Range Armed Drone

Gray Eagle-Extended Range unmanned aerial system. 

Image: General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

 INDER SINGH BISHT 

 APRIL 5, 2022

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has begun Gray Eagle-Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System factory upgrades, including manned-unmanned teaming capability.

The upgrade program includes two GE-ER drones for the US Army’s Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). “Flight test and qualification” will take place later this year.

The upgrade follows a series of flight demonstrations showcasing the GE-ER’s “long-range sensors, Air Launched Effects (ALE) and Scalable Command and Control (SC2).”

Air Launched Drones

The ALEs are small, armed drones capable of being launched from manned and unmanned platforms, extending their reach, speed, and lethality. According to the Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command, the air launched drones are crucial to penetrating enemy anti-access/area-denial structures from a stand-off range.

In one of the demonstrations, the GE-ER identified emitters at 25,000 feet (7,620 meters) using an L3Harris Rio Nino lightweight Communications Intelligence payload and integrated antenna array. It “provided single aircraft geo-location and cross-cueing to the onboard Synthetic Aperture Radar to produce precision coordinates sufficient for targeting within minutes.”

Greater Power, Endurance

The GE-ER is powered by a 180HP diesel engine enabling a maximum takeoff weight of 4,200 pounds (1,905 kilograms) compared to the Gray Eagle’s 160 HP and 3,600 pounds (1,633 kilograms).

The craft’s “deep belly design and 500-pound (227 kilograms) centerline hard point allows for 900 pounds (408 kilograms) of internal fuel load,” in addition to “an external fuel pod that can accommodate an additional 450 pounds (204 kilograms),” compared to the Gray Eagle’s 600 pounds (272 kilograms).

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AI & Collective Sense-Making Processes, with Katherine Milligan

April 5, 2022



In this Artificial Intelligence & Equality podcast, Senior Fellow Anja Kaspersen and Katherine Milligan, director of the Collective Change Lab, explore what we can learn from the social impact and entrepreneurship movement to govern the potential impact of AI systems. What is systems change and collective sense-making? And why is it relevant to reenvisioning ethics in the information age?

AUTHORITARIAN REGIMES USA LIKES

Egypt: Detained former presidential candidate suffers 'barbaric' assault in prison

Abdel Moneim Aboul-Fotouh suffers alleged attack by guards after protesting about conditions in notorious Tora prison

Since Sisi’s coup at least 731 people have died in custody 

Presidential candidate Abdel Moneim Aboul-Fotouh on stage during an election campaign rally in Cairo, 2 April 2012 (AFP)

By MEE staff
Published date: 5 April 2022 

Former Egyptian presidential candidate Abdel Moneim Aboul-Fotouh has been subjected to a "barbaric" assault by guards in his cell at the notorious Tora prison complex, according to his family.

Aboul-Fotouh, 71, a former member of the Muslim Brotherhood and leader of the opposition party Strong Egypt, was allegedly attacked on 23 March at the complex’s Tora Farm Prison, the family said in a statement on Facebook.

According to a legal source, who spoke to the independent Egyptian online newspaper Mada Masr on condition of anonymity, Aboul-Fotouh, who ran for president in 2012, was preparing to file an official complaint with the public prosecutor.

As a result of the alleged assault, Aboul-Fotouh, who has had multiple heart attacks and other chronic health issues while in detention, had an episode of angina, according to the statement. Aboul-Fotouh has long complained of medical negligence since his arrest and detention in February 2018, a practice that has been widely documented in Egyptian prisons by human rights groups.

He was arrested that year on charges of spreading false news to harm national interests. He has since faced several other charges but has not been brought to trial.

In June 2021, the State Security Prosecution issued a decision to release Aboul-Fotouh, dropping some of the charges he faced since his arrest, but his detention was renewed after the prosecution filed new charges against him pending another case.

In February 2020, he was added to a new case after the expiry of his initial provisional detention.

While the maximum period of pre-trial detention is two years, according to Egyptian law, it is common in Egypt to bring renewed charges against political detainees after the expiry of the two-year period, in what rights groups have described as “recycling of existing cases” to enable indefinite detention.
'A slow death'

Aboul-Fotouh had started a protest on 29 January this year, whereby he began refusing to see visitors. The protest stemmed from what the family's statement said were “exceptional” prison conditions where "restrictions were imposed on [Aboul-Fotouh] without justification”.

The alleged assault took place after the prisoner requested a meeting with the prison warden in order to file a complaint explaining why he was refusing to receive visitors, claimed his family.

Egypt: Former presidential candidate survives heart attack in prison  Read More »

Last July, Aboul-Fotouh survived a “severe heart attack” in prison, according to his son. He claimed that the guard who was outside the cell “witnessed his suffering and as he tried to seek help for hours, to no avail".

The politician's family has repeatedly accused authorities of subjecting him to a "slow death" due to medical negligence and the tough conditions of his solitary confinement.

“After more than three years and five months in pretrial detention, in solitary confinement, in complete isolation, and a continuous deterioration in his health that threatens his life at every moment, when will he return home?” Aboul-Fotouh's son said.

Aboul-Fotouh is one of at least 60,000 political prisoners estimated to have been jailed since Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi took power in a coup in 2013.

Sisi overthrew Mohamed Morsi, the country's first democratically elected president, who was affiliated to the Muslim Brotherhood.

Several Brotherhood leaders have died in custody in recent years, including Morsi and former MP Essam el-Erian.

Rights groups have said their deaths were most likely due to medical negligence and poor conditions in jails.

According to the Geneva-based Committee for Justice, since Sisi’s coup at least 731 people have died in custody due to denial of healthcare.

Global groups propose pandemic plan costing US$10 billion a year

Julie Steenhuysen
Reuters Staff

Published Tuesday, April 5, 2022 

Workers in PPE unload groceries from a truck before distributing them to local residents under the COVID-19 lockdown in Shanghai, China Tuesday, April 05, 2022. 

(Chinatopix Via AP) CHINA OUT

It will take US$15 billion in grants this year and another $10 billion annually after that to establish and maintain an adequate toolkit to respond to COVID-19 and address future pandemic threats, according to four organizations focused on global health and the economy.

The estimate is laid out in "A Global Strategy to Manage the Long-term Risks of COVID-19," a working paper published on Tuesday by the International Monetary Fund, in partnership with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the Global Fund and Wellcome Trust.

In the paper, the four global groups said that ending the pandemic everywhere remains an urgent economic, health and moral priority for the world.

"Given the many possible scenarios for the evolution of COVID-19 (from benign to severe) and given the limited resources countries have, we need a new strategy," Gita Gopinath, the IMF's First Deputy Managing Director, said in a statement.

The IMF estimated the pandemic resulted in US$13.8 trillion in cumulative losses as of January 2022.

Gopinath told a news briefing that the IMF expected to revise down its global growth forecast later this month to factor in the cost of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the continued pandemic.

"The cost to the economy of more general disruptions and the war in Ukraine is going to be very significant," Gopinath said, adding that the estimated cost of the pandemic would also rise.

"Since the pandemic is not over, and we have disruptions to the supply chain that continue and other costs, including human capital, that number is only going up," Gopinath added.

Gopinath said countries need vaccines, tests, treatments and an improved health infrastructure to tackle COVID-19 and other deadly diseases.

"These last two years have shown that remarkable progress is possible when the world comes together and supports science boldly at scale, across borders," said Jeremy Farrar, director at the Wellcome Trust charity. "Now is not the time to ease up – the virus's next move is anything but certain and the risk of new variants high."

Richard Hatchett, chief executive of CEPI, said vaccines will be critical to any future response, but they must be accompanied by investments in global surveillance, research and development, manufacturing and health systems.

"This is a crisis that will continue to unfold and unspool over time if we don't put the resources against it that it requires," Hatchett said.

(Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen in Chicago; Additional reporting by Andrea Shalal in Washington. Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Will Dunham)

Opinion: Europe Is Sleepwalking Into Another World War

 April 5, 2022, Tuesday 

Unsplash

By Boaventura de Sousa Santos/Globetrotter

More than 100 years after World War I, Europe’s leaders are sleepwalking toward a new all-out war. In 1914, the European governments believed that the war would last three weeks; it lasted four years and resulted in more than 20 million deaths. The same nonchalance is visible with the war in Ukraine. The dominant view is that the aggressor should be left broken and humbled. Then, the defeated power was Germany. Some dissenting voices, such as John Maynard Keynes, felt that the humbling of Germany would be a disaster. Their warnings went unheeded. Twenty-one years later, Europe was back at war, which lasted six years and killed 70 million people. History neither repeats itself nor seems to teach us anything, but it does illustrate similarities and differences.

The hundred years before 1914 offered Europe relative peace. What wars took place were of a short-lived nature. The reason for this was the Congress of Vienna (1814-15), which brought together the victors and the vanquished from the Napoleonic wars to create a lasting peace. The chair of the conference was Klemens von Metternich, who made sure that the defeated power (France) paid for its actions with territorial losses but that it signed the treaty along with Austria, England, Prussia, and Russia to secure peace with dignity.

Negotiation or Total Defeat

While the Napoleonic wars took place between European powers, today’s war is between a European (Russia) and a non-European (United States) power. It is a proxy war, with both sides using a third country (Ukraine) to achieve geostrategic goals that go well beyond the country in question and the continent to which it belongs. Russia is at war with Ukraine because it is a war with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which is commanded by the United States. NATO has been at the service of U.S. geostrategic interests. Once a steadfast champion of the self-determination of peoples, Russia is now illegally sacrificing these same principles to assert its own security concerns, after failing to have them recognized through peaceful means, and out of an undisguised imperial nostalgia. For its part, since the end of the first cold war, the U.S. has striven to deepen Russia’s defeat, a defeat which in fact was probably more self-inflicted than brought about by any superiority on the part of its opponent.

From NATO’s perspective, the goal of the war in Ukraine is to inflict an unconditional defeat on Russia, preferably one that leads to regime change in Moscow. The duration of the war depends on that goal. Where is Russia’s incentive to end the war when British Prime Minister Boris Johnson permits himself to say that sanctions against Russia will continue, no matter what Russia’s position is now? Would it be sufficient for Russian President Vladimir Putin to be ousted (as was the case with Napoleon in 1815), or is the truth of the matter that the NATO countries insist on the ousting of Russia itself so that China’s expansion can be halted? There was also regime change in the 1918 humbling of Germany, but it all ended up leading to Hitler and an even more devastating war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s political greatness could be construed as being either in recognition of the brave patriot who defends his country from the invader to the last drop of blood or in recognition of the brave patriot who, faced with the imminence of so many innocent deaths and the asymmetry in military strength, successfully enlists the support of his allies to negotiate fiercely to secure a dignified peace. The fact that the former construction is now the prevalent one probably has little to do with President Zelenskyy’s personal preferences.

Where Is Europe?

During the two world wars of the 20th century, Europe was the self-proclaimed center of the world. That is why we call the two wars world wars. About 4 million of Europe’s troops were in fact African and Asian. Many thousands of non-European deaths were the price paid by the inhabitants of remote colonies of the countries involved, sacrificed in a war that did not concern them.

Now, Europe is but a small corner of the world, which the war in Ukraine will render even smaller. For centuries, Europe was merely the western tip of Eurasia, the huge landmass that stretched from China to the Iberian Peninsula and witnessed the exchange of knowledge, products, scientific innovations, and cultures. Much of what was later attributed to European exceptionalism (from the scientific revolution of the 16th century to the industrial revolution in the 19th century) cannot be understood, nor would it have been possible, without those centuries-old exchanges. The war in Ukraine—especially if it goes on for too long—runs the risk not only of amputating one of Europe’s historic powers (Russia), but also of isolating it from the rest of the world, notably from China.

The world is far bigger than what you get to see through European or North American lenses. Seeing through these lenses, Europeans have never felt so strong, so close to their larger partner, so sure of standing on the right side of history, with the whole planet being run by the rules of the “liberal order,” a world finally feeling strong enough to go forth sometime soon and conquer—or at least neutralize—China, after having destroyed China’s main partner, Russia.

Seeing through non-European lenses, on the other hand, Europe and the U.S. stand haughtily all but alone, probably capable of winning one battle, but on their way to certain defeat in the war of history. More than half of the world’s population lives in countries that have decided not to join the sanctions against Russia. Many of the United Nations member states that voted (rightly) against the illegal invasion of Ukraine did so based on their historical experience, which consisted of being invaded, not by Russia, but rather by the U.S., England, France, or Israel. Their decision was not dictated by ignorance, but by precaution. How can they trust countries that created SWIFT—a financial transfer system aimed at protecting economic transactions against political interference—only to end up removing from that system a country on political grounds? Countries that arrogate to themselves the power to confiscate the financial and gold reserves of sovereign nations like Afghanistan, Venezuela, and now Russia? Countries that trumpet freedom of expression as a sacrosanct universal value, but resort to censorship the moment they are exposed by it? Countries that are supposed to cherish democracy and yet have no qualms about staging a coup whenever an election goes against their interests? Countries in whose eyes the “dictator” Nicolás Maduro becomes a trading partner overnight because the circumstances have changed? The world is no longer a place of innocence—if it ever was.

Boaventura de Sousa Santos is the emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. His most recent book is Decolonizing the University: The Challenge of Deep Cognitive Justice.

/Globetrotter

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BULGARIA

Riad Salameh: The Lebanese mafia’s consigliere who knows too much

DR. DANIA KOLEILAT KHATIB
February 20, 2022

The consigliere is an important figure in mafia circles. He is the one who negotiates and makes deals on behalf of the chief, both within the mafia and with external parties. It is no exaggeration to say that Lebanon is a country run by a mafia. If we consider the current ruling class as the mafia, then central bank governor Riad Salameh is the consigliere, as all deals go through him. Last week, Judge Ghada Aoun issued a warrant to arrest Salameh, who of course left the country on a private jet just in time. If the country's mafia has decided to get rid of the consigliere who knows too much, what is next for Lebanon?

Of course, Salameh is a culprit in the entire corruption scam. However, he is not the source of corruption, but merely a conduit that facilitated it. In order to understand Salameh’s role, it is important to understand the relationship between the government or ruling class, the central bank and the banking system. People put deposits into the banks, lured by high interest rates. The banks then put this money in treasury bills with the central bank at an even higher rate. The central bank lent the money it took from the banks to the mafia, which squandered it on inflated public contracts and expenses and, of course, kickbacks. Salameh worked as the cashier of the corrupt elite, allowing them to finance their corruption with the hard-earned money of regular citizens.

The position of central bank governor has a lot of independence. Salameh could have said no to the ruling elite, but he preferred to become their partner rather than be sacked. He knew very well that the money was feeding corruption, but he did not seem to mind and no one dared say anything. In fact, when Byblos Bank chairman Francois Bassil in 2014raised alarm bells and accused the government of stealing depositors’ funds, he was admonished by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and had to retract his accusations and apologize.

Salameh knows it all — he knows who took what and when. He is a deal-maker who was able to adapt to all the different governments. When Michel Aoun became president in 2016, it was believed he would get rid of Salameh and expose him. However, the two suddenly found an arrangement and Salameh was givenanother term as governor of the central bank.

In 2020, the investigative outlet Darajissued a report on Salameh’s immense wealth, which is spread across the world, some in his name and some in the names of his brotherand a female associate. Perhaps now the ruling elite think it is a good time to get rid of the consigliere by giving him a proper exit. They definitely do not want him to go on trial and testify against them. However, the arrest warrant also offers them a scapegoat: They can blame Salameh for the bad policies and can always say that they wanted him arrested and for an investigation to be carried out, but too bad that he ran away before any of that could happen. That could be a good stunt prior to the elections, especially since the ruling class has lost all credibility with the people.

On the other hand, Salameh, who is under the microscope globally, cannot give them what is left of the people’s deposits or the gold reserve without facing international scrutiny. Though the international community knows about him, it also worries that, if he leaves and the current Hezbollah-dominated government names a replacement, the situation will be much worse. Hence, Salameh was no longer of any use to the current political class. His time was up, he had to leave the stage.

The drama staged by the corrupt elite dictated that a warrant was issued, but at the same time Salameh was able to escape the country.

Dr. Dania Koleilat Khatib

The exit of Salameh shows how every single member of the system has a role to play and the different characters take turns like in a play at the theater. The drama staged by the corrupt elite dictated that a warrant was issued, but at the same time Salameh was able to escape the country. State security officials were reportedly confrontedby Salameh’s Internal Security Forces teamand he was driven to the airport under their protection. The question is who comes next? They will find another puppet who will do whatever they ask of him and take what is left in the central bank to prop up the corrupt elite for a little bit longer.

There is now speculation that the corrupt elite — since it has already squandered the Lebanese depositors’ money — will resort to selling the gold that is the last defense of the national currency. The gold, which the late central bank governor-turned-president Elias Sarkiscollected ounce after ounce to protect the Lebanese pound and economy, risks being sold in order to keep the current system afloat. The gold is the last resort of the corrupt elite: They cannot borrow any more from the people and the international community will not give them any aid without reforms. What is really shocking is the Lebanese people’s ability to tolerate a corrupt political class that has stripped them of everything.

• Dr. Dania Koleilat Khatib is a specialist in US-Arab relations with a focus on lobbying. She is co-founder of the Research Center for Cooperation and Peace Building, a Lebanese nongovernmental organization focused on Track II.

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point of view

William Brown Street first in Liverpool to have plaque explaining slavery links

Tuesday 5 April 2022, 

The bronze sign on William Brown Street explains the history behind its name.

Credit: PA images

A historic street in Liverpool is the first in the city to have a plaque installed which explains its links with slave trade in Britain.

William Brown Street, named after cotton trader and slave owner, will be one of a series of streets to get a bronze plaque.

Liverpool grew immensely wealthy from slave trade in the 19th century, becoming the most important port in Europe.

The signs are named after Eric Scott Lynch, the late activist and historian who spent his life highlighting the area's links with the slave economy.

The plaque tells the history of William Brown, a slaver who lived in Liverpool.

Credit: PA images

It reads: “Liverpool’s Central Library and World Museum have their origins in wealth accrued through slavery.

“William Brown became one of the main importers of slave-produced cotton into Liverpool.

“The Brown family also owned many enslaved people on their plantations in the United States. William Brown Street was named after him for funding these buildings.”

The son of Eric Lynch, Andrew Lynch, attended the unveiling on Tuesday, 5 April.

Liverpool streets linked to slavery may soon be given plaques

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Andrew said: “These plaques stand testament to the educational work that my father Eric Scott Lynch carried out.

“Over many years, he strove to give the people of Liverpool a deeper understanding of the central role the city played in shaping the modern world.

“The enormous wealth generated by slavery and imperial interests built the city into a major trade hub and financed many of the industries that were to become the cornerstone of the industrial revolution.

“This reminds us that Liverpool is truly a world city, with the labour of Africans and people of African descent being a key part of our story.”

Andrew Lynch (2nd left) during the unveiling of the bronze plaque on William Brown Street, Liverpool.

Credit: PA images

Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson said the plaque was a “milestone moment” and has pledged to be "open and transparent about this city’s role in the transatlantic slave trade".

She said: “This understanding of our past is key, and only when we fully acknowledge and accept it, can we move forward.”

The city is set to host a series of events including a music day and conference as part of Liverpool Against Racism.

The death of George Floyd in May 2020 sparked debate on Britain’s historic links with the slave trade.

Lancashire doctor recalls vivid memories of the Falklands War in 1982

Tuesday 5 April 2022
Paul Crone
Reporter, ITV Granada Reports


The sinking of the Liverpool-registered ship the Atlantic Conveyor is often a forgotten casualty of the Falklands War in 1982.

A dozen crew members died aboard the Conveyor when it was struck by Argentinian Exocet missiles in the South Atlantic.

Struck by two enemy missiles during the Falklands War, 12 crew members died on board the Atlantic Conveyor.Credit: Dr Gordon Brooks

But the Conveyor was attacked on the same day as HMS Coventry, so news of the merchant vessel almost went unreported.

On board the Conveyor was the ship's Chief Medical Officer Dr Gordon Brooks, who was brought up in Blackpool.

Also on board a precious cargo of Wessex helicopters, Harrier Jump jets and supplies for the British Task Force once it had landed on the Falkland Islands. A prize target for the enemy.

And on 25 May, 1982 the Atlantic Conveyor was struck by two air-launched Exocet missiles turning the ship into giant fireball.

Dr Gordon Brooks did what he could to save lives. But those trapped in the bow of the Conveyor had no hope of surviving the blasts and subsequent fires.

Eventually the order to abandon ship was given and Gordon managed to clamber down the ship's ladders and jump into the icy cold South Atlantic waters.

He eventually made it to a life raft and was picked up by another ship from the Task Force.

As for the Atlantic Conveyor, she was put under tow, but had been fatally injured by the Exocet missiles and after a few days, she split in two and sank.

Veterans remember Falklands War on 40th anniversary

The Atlantic Conveyor was fatally damaged by enemy Exocet missiles.

Credit: Dr Gordon Brooks

Dr Gordon Brooks returned home safely to his family, and wrongly feels he could have done more on board the Conveyor to help other crew members after the attack.

He says: "I was the medic, I was supposed to help people, and save them. And even though I did my very, very best, I failed.

"And I think that is the thing that drove me from then on to prove to myself that I was good at something."

Gordon's story is part of three special films on Granada Reports this week to mark the 40th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War in 1982.

MONOPOLY CAPITALI$M IN ACTION

GM and Honda expand alliance to produce millions of EVs


The Ultium platform is the foundation of GM's EV strategy, the company says, including battery cells, modules and pack, plus drive units containing electric motors and integrated power electronics.
File Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo


April 5 (UPI) -- General Motors and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. on Tuesday said they will start producing millions of affordable electric vehicles worldwide starting in 2027.

In a joint statement, the companies said the new vehicles will be powered by Ultium battery technology and that they will continue their work on EV battery technology collaboration.

The Ultium platform is the foundation of GM's EV strategy, the company has said, including the battery cells, modules and pack, plus drive units containing electric motors and integrated power electronics.

"GM and Honda will share our best technology, design and manufacturing strategies to deliver affordable and desirable EVs on a global scale, including our key markets in North America, South America and China," said Mary Barra, GM chair and CEO.

RELATED GM, Honda sign deal to form North American alliance


The plans include a new all-electric vehicle for North America positioned at a price point "lower than the upcoming Chevrolet Equinox EV," said Doug Parks, GM's executive vice president for global product development, purchasing and supply chain.

The price of the vehicles is expected to fall below $30,000, according to Ken Morris, GM's executive vice president of electric, autonomous and fuel cell programs who spoke with reporters on Tuesday.

"Honda is committed to reaching our goal of carbon neutrality on a global basis by 2050, which requires driving down the cost of electric vehicles to make EV ownership possible for the greatest number of customers," said Toshihiro Mibe, Honda president & CEO. He added that the companies "successful technology collaboration" would dramatically increase sales of electric vehicles.

In 2020, GM and Honda announced plans to codevelop two EVs. One of them is the Honda Prologue, expected to be launched in early 2024.

GM and Honda have worked together on various collaborations for more than 20 years, including the development of fuel cells, batteries and the Cruise Origin shared autonomous vehicle.

RELATED GM, Honda working together on $2.7B plan to build self-driving cars

The companies also began working together in 2018 to build an autonomous vehicle.

Meanwhile, CNET in January said 2022 will be a record year for launches of electric vehicles.