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, lowers the technical/cost risks of integrating new technologies prior to acquisition, and speeds the delivery of capability and lethality to 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 strategic R&D infrastructure and measurement 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 undersea warfare 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. This is class agnostic technology development that supports the VIRGINIA program, the COLUMBIA program, and any future submarine new construction programs. 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 and Undersea Warfare (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 international Allies, 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 -Large Scale Vehicle (LSV) -Large Scale Vehicle Recapitalization -Intermediate Scale Measurement System (ISMS) -High Gain Measurement System (HGMS) -South TOTO Acoustic Measurement Facility (STAFAC) Recapitalization Long Range R&D -Advanced Hull Treatments -Next Generation Thrust (future propulsor/shafting technologies, composite materials, and integrated stern designs) -Advanced Material Propeller -Advanced SSN Technologies -Advance Signature Management Rapid Technology Development -Innovative Technology Transfer Overall, FY22 funding level reflects a minor decrease in overall budget from FY21. Funding within the Strategic Capability Infrastructure pillar decreased due to minor program adjustments. The decrease in the Long Range R&D pillar is due to planned phasing within the Advanced Hull Treatment installation on VCS Hull C, which transitions from material procurement/installation phases in FY21 into the subsequent underway demonstration, data collection and data analysis phases in FY22. Noteworthy programmatic budget changes include: 1) The transition of the Precision Submarine Maneuvering and Control (PSMC) project work from this project element to the VIRGINIA Class and Advanced Undersea Systems programs to centralize these R&D efforts and more efficiently align with platform capability development; 2) The inclusion of R&D funding in support of the STAFAC lifecycle Recapitalization project; 3) The transition of Hull Treatments demonstration projects into the data collection and analysis phases, and continued tech maturation and assessment of Low Technology Readiness Level (TRL) treatments.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2022
• Source ID: 2033_0603561N_4_1319_PB_2022

Tags

Readers

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