Adv Submarine Systems Development

Abstract

Advanced Submarine Systems Development (ASSD) is a non-acquisition program that develops/matures and tests advanced technologies for successful integration into current and future submarine classes, lowering the technical/cost risks of integrating new technologies prior to acquisition, and speeding the delivery of capability and lethality into the Fleet. ASSD transitions Hull, Mechanical, and Electrical (HM&E) technologies, and future naval concepts from the Science & Technology (S&T) and Research and Development (R&D) communities through the development, maturation, and integration of technology projects to operational submarine platforms for assessment, testing, and evaluation. Once projects have proven their maturity and promise through at-sea demonstration, they are formally transitioned into acquisition Programs Of Record (PORs). Additionally, ASSD operates and maintains R&D infrastructure assets that are critical to the long-term design, assessment and construction of modern, stealthy submarine platforms. Project 2033 is comprised of three programmatic budget categories: Strategic Capability R&D Infrastructure, Long Range R&D Investment, and Rapid Technology Development. Strategic infrastructure investments maintain and operate critical, one-of-a-kind submarine R&D assets that enable the design and manufacture of the stealthiest submarines in the world, without the requirement to develop and test at full scale, which is inordinately expensive and risky. Long-range R&D investment is the maturation and prototyping at full scale of long-range (5-10 years) technologies, to enable their readiness for incorporation into existing and future submarines. The objective is to achieve high technology readiness (TRL-7) of the targeted technology so that it can be incorporated into the baseline submarine design during the detailed design contract award. Rapid Technology Development projects are efforts designed to rapidly mature higher TRL capabilities and field the particular technology project capability within an 18-30 month window, from program start to submarine at-sea demonstration. Also included in this category are innovative technology transition projects, seedling efforts (<$800K/year) which assess new technology candidates and keep the submarine/ USW technology pipeline primed. All SUB073/ASSD projects are determined by senior USW leadership and N97 sponsor direction. The Program works with Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD), Office of Naval Research (ONR), and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) organizations to identify and mature technology candidates for integration into current/future submarine classes to provide new/transformational capabilities, while achieving total-ownership cost reductions. Experimentation and demonstration are also conducted in a joint warfighting context with other services, (i.e. Marine Corps, Army, Air Force), to enable early assessment of a new technology's warfighting capabilities, and to inform the Fleet and acquisition community on smarter technology-selection decisions. This Program also supports cooperative R&D through Information/Data Exchange Agreements (IEA/ DEA) and joint Project Arrangements (PA) with Allies such as the United Kingdom and Australia, as well as other international partners, which target core technology maturation, future submarine component concept designs, etc. Major technology developmental efforts within this budget submission include: Strategic Capability R&D Infrastructure (at ARD Bayview, ID) -Large Scale Vehicle (LSV) -Intermediate Scale Measurement System (ISMS) -Large Scale Vehicle Recapitalization Long Range R&D - Advanced Hull Treatments - Next Generation Thrust (future propulsor/shafting technologies) - Advanced Material Propeller - Advanced SSN Technologies - Precision Submarine Maneuvering and Control - Advanced Signature Management Rapid Technology Development - Innovative Technology Transfer Overall, FY21 funding level reflects a minor decrease in overall budget from FY20. Funding within the Strategic Capability Infrastructure pillar decreased slightly due to the planned funding ramp for the LSV Electric Drive recapitalization project, while funding within the Long Range R&D pillar increased proportionally based upon planned project ramp ups. Noteworthy programmatic budget changes in this year's budget exhibits include: (1) LSV-2 Electric Drive recapitalization completes component level build and test, and begins system level integration and testing; (2) Advanced Hull Treatments completes a prototype installation aboard a VA class and commences the installation process for follow-on VA class demonstration; (3) Next Generation Thrust conducts a large scale demonstration of a multi-material, Integrated Shaft and Propulsor on LSV-2 and continues modeling and analysis in support of Next Generation Propulsor design development; (4) Advanced Material Propeller project conducts a full-scale sea trial aboard an international partner submarine, followed by a data analysis phase; (5) Investments continue on studies, small-scale analysis and technology maturation efforts in support of Advanced SSN Technology development/maturation; (6) The Precision Submarine Maneuvering and Control (PSMC) project continues Concept Development /Refinement phase to identify technologies to improve submarine low speed maneuvering in support of emerging missions/payloads; (7) Advanced Signature Management project will remain in ASSD (2033) for continuity of technology development.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2021
• Source ID: 2033_0603561N_4_1319_PB_2021

Tags

Readers

• Maritime and Naval Warfare Studies
• Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.