James Feldkamp

The U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship or LCS has drawn considerable flak in recent years due to the relatively slow shipbuilding. But perfecting its design and expanding its functions may simply be a matter of finding the right add-ons, explains James Feldkamp, former Navy Commander and now an adjunct professor at George Mason University. Image source: lockheedmartin.com Image source: military.com About half of all available LCS have not been active since the Cold War. If the LCS is indeed to again become a crucial vessel in the U.S. Navy fleet, it must offer solid punching power. After all, the ship already comes with a modular design. It’s possible to place, say, add-on sleets as part of today’s open-architecture, off-the-shelf technology. One of the best ways to realize the LCS’ capabilities and potential is to equip them with the Norwegian-made, fifth-generation Naval Strike Missile. Having these missiles on board is one of the best ways to increase U.S. naval s...

Counterterrorism and global security expert James Feldkamp has cited the strengthening of littoral combat ships (LCSs) as one of the cornerstones of U.S. naval success in the next few years. He believes that with the proper research and purchasing, as well as efficient shipbuilding, the United States may be able to create more capable sea vessels at a lower cost. Image source: Wikipedia.com Image source: businessinsider.sg For starters, James mentions the Kongsberg Naval Strike Missile (NSM) as a good fit for any LCS. The guidance system of this 900-pound anti-ship projectile has been developed to give it an over-the-horizon capability with a range of 115 nautical miles. The guidance system is state-of-the-art with GPS inertial and terrain reference systems that are more advanced than the U.S.’s own GM-84 Harpoon. Equipped with the NSM, LCSs attacks would be much harder to prevent, as evidenced in war games. In the simulation, smaller ships were targets and enemie...

Sailing is more than a segue from a trip to a prime vacation spot. It is a sport that is loved and adored by many men and women across the globe. It offers lessons that are not exclusive to the sport itself. It can teach a person a lot about grit, discipline, and determination. Image source: sportspromedia.com A good reason to try sailing is to have broader horizons, literally and figuratively. Sailing is all about learning and developing new perspectives. For most sailors, the sea is where they are most relieved of stress. For James Feldkamp, a participant in the upcoming Clipper Round the World Race, sailing also teaches the value of being in control. When one is faced with a tough challenge, they are only greatly in charge of their attitude and behavior towards it; proper vessel control and management take grit and guts. Image source: bavariayachts.com As with most sports, camaraderie is at the heart of sailing. Effective teamwork leads to fun moments at se...

Founder of JLF Solutions James Feldkamp has a goal to compete in the Clipper Round the World Race. He is fascinated with this one-of-a-kind yachting spectacle that sees people work in groups to achieve what very few others have ever achieved before. Feldkamp is also enamored by many of the places participants will get to see in this global event. Image source: chinatouradvisors.com One such place is Sanya in China. Best known for the crystal blue water and well-preserved beaches, Sanya is unlike any other place people have seen before. Located at the southern tip of the province of Hainan, Sanya is never short of visitors. A vast majority of Sanya’s attractions are near or on the water, which is why it has oftentimes been compared to Hawaii. One of the most popular spots in Sanya is Tianya Haijiao, which means ‘edge of the sky, rim of the sea.’ It is 15 miles from the center of the city and is drenched in local folklore. The three rocks in the area are famous attr...

Leg 2 of the Clipper Round the World Race is considered one of the most challenging parts of the course because of the perilous conditions of the South Atlantic Ocean. There are the Trade Winds that can damage the sailboat’s spinnaker, which may require hours of strenuous stitching to repair. There is also the difficulty of traversing through long, rolling swells that will test the physical and mental state of the skippers, which James Feldkamp would be this 2019. Image source: yachtsandyachting.com It is also said that the second leg should be treated as a marathon, not a sprint. But after approximately 18 days and 4,200 miles of sailing, the stopover at Cape Town, South Africa can help the crew recover well for many reasons. For one, the port city is just beneath the famous Table Mountain and is bordered by the sea on both sides. It is also home to a biodiverse species of flora and fauna, which can be enjoyed in the Company’s Gardens, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and...

One of the most prestigious and challenging boating spectacles, the Clipper Round the World Race marks its 12th year with another challenge to amateur and professional sailors willing to take the helm over its eight-stop course. On its last leg, sailors will be racing from the U.S. West Coast, down to South America, and conclude on the East Coast. Image source: economictimes.indiatimes.com Bridging the leg is Panama, a world-renowned destination for sailors who want to sail east to west or vice versa through the Panama Canal. According to James Feldkamp, a security expert who will be participating in the race, the Panama Canal has been a key maritime figure. Here are some interesting facts about the Panama Canal that every sailor must know. The original plan was to build the canal in Nicaragua The United States originally wanted to build the canal bridging the Atlantic and the Pacific in Nicaragua. The plan was later on changed thanks to the effort of French engineer P...

Hainan Island is located at the Southern end of China, with stunning tropical weather that doesn’t experience winter. James Feldkamp, along with other participants of Clipper Round the World Race, will get to visit this paradise during the fifth leg of the competition. Here are some travel tips in case you find yourself in Hainan Island. Enjoy Coconut Festival. Because of its large production of coconuts, Hainan island is also known as “Coconut Island.” During late March or early April each year, island dwellers hold “Coconut Festival” for the tourists. Visitors can trek to Haikou for the coconut lanterns, or go to Sanya Bay to watch the revered dragon boat race and folk martial arts completion, among other activities. Image source: thetravelintern.com Savor the local flavors. Hainan Island boasts a wide array of tropical fruits such as lychees, bananas, pineapple, and it has a huge selection of seafood. James Feldkamp, as well as the other competitors of the Clipper Ro...