British submarine launches further strikes on Libyan air defense systems

LONDON, March 24 (Xinhua) -- A Royal Navy submarine has launched further missile strikes against Libyan air defense targets as part of the coordinated coalition action in support of enforcing U.N. resolution 1973, said a statement released by British Defense Ministry on Thursday.

In the statement, the Chief of Defense Staff's Strategic Communication Officer Major General John Lorimer said that British Armed Forces have again participated in a coordinated strike against Libyan air defense systems in support of resolution 1973.

Sub's oxygen generator fails in Arctic

The generator that produces oxygen on board the USS New Hampshire failed last week while the submarine was in the Arctic Ocean, according to the Navy.

The New Hampshire has a back-up system to produce oxygen should the primary system fail, a Navy spokeswoman said Tuesday. Redundancy is critical on a platform as complex as a submarine, she said.

The Groton-based submarine is testing its operations in Arctic waters as part of the 2011 Ice Exercise. The New Hampshire (SSN 778) is the first Virginia-class submarine to participate in an ICEX.

Missiles target Libyan air defences

BRITISH submariners have pinpointed key air defence installations in two nights of cruise missile strikes against Libya.

The launches from the Trafalgar-class boat – the first since the 2003 war against Saddam Hussein – are the Navy’s contribution to a rain of fire and steel which has landed on Colonel Gaddafi’s forces as Allied nations enforce UN Security Council Resolution 1973.

Aside from the Tomahawk strikes from the submarine – its identity is classified for security reasons – frigates HMS Westminster and Cumberland are on patrol off Libya enforcing an arms embargo under Operation Ellamy, the UK’s military action in support of the UN resolution.

Targets from Zuwara in western Libya to the rebel-held port of Benghazi in the east, plus a military command centre in the city’s capital of Tripoli have been attacked in the concerted Allied series of air and missile strikes.