NAVSEA Displays New Technology

Naval Sea Systems Command, led by its commander, VADM G.P. "Pete" Nanos, Jr., showcased some of the more than 330 new technologies, which recently have been identified for Fleet use, at the 2001 Fleet Maintenance Symposium (FMS) in San Diego August 28-30. The symposium had nearly 700 attendees, which was hosted by the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) and included nearly 90 government and contractor exhibitors. Entitled "Fleet Maintenance in an Increasingly Digital World," the symposium provided a unique opportunity for Fleet Sailors and Marines to inspect and learn about innovations, technologies and new support efforts. On Aug. 29, VADM Nanos told more than 400 luncheon attendees about the challenges to our Navy in a rapidly changing world and the need for continuously improving integrated support to the Fleet. In his thirty-minute speech, he outlined NAVSEA efforts during the past three years at unifying its many commands into a single organization, improving communications with Fleet customers, re-engineering business processes for efficiency and reorganizing support for the Fleet in logistics and maintenance, acquisition, and technical standards. He emphasized both challenges and successes at NAVSEA including planning for 31 major submarine maintenance efforts during the next seven years, developing a Navy-wide enterprise resource planning (ERP) effort to manage maintenance, and continuing to capitalize on technology to support deployed Fleet commands. Distance Support details can be learned at www.anchordesk.navy.mil and by contacting the Navy Integrated Call Center at 1-877-41-TOUCH. Underscoring that NAVSEA is the Fleet's service provider, he said FMS provides "a clear exchange of ideas" so NAVSEA understands Fleet needs and can offer a variety of solutions in response. NAVSEA's series of exhibits, called NAVSEA City, represented more than 20 commands and was led by a special "Getting Technology to the Fleet" exhibit. This series of displays showcased important innovative technologies available to the Fleet today, including the wireless firefighting ensemble, remotely operated tank inspection robots, pulse radar tank level indicators and more. Immediately following the lunch was a four-hour "show and tell" on NAVSEA initiatives, displaying new materials, equipment and maintenance methods to benefit the Fleet. Topics included preservation techniques, innovative space ventilation methods, improved mechanical seals and magnetic couplings, durable deck coatings, and technology insertion advances. Connected to the special technology exhibit, the engineering goal is to save the Fleet money, time and effort, while improving the quality of life at sea. High quality exhibits from many NAVSEA commands were included in NAVSEA City. All four of America's Naval Shipyards were represented, highlighting submarine repair and modernization efforts, along with the nation's only propeller foundry. America's Naval Warfare Centers were prominent in displaying key research and develop efforts for creating new technologies for the Fleet. These included NAVSEA commands at Crane, Port Hueneme, Carderock, Dahlgren, Corona, and Keyport. NAVSEA's Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair (SUPSHIP) fielded a high quality exhibit about their diverse mission. Responsible for extensive efforts in major private shipyards as well as maintenance with NAVSEA's naval shipyards, SUPSHIP are located in nine regions throughout the U.S. - (Source: NavSea News Wire, By Captain Keith Arterburn, NAVSEA Public Affairs)