Photonics Mast Tech Insertion on the Virginia Class Submarine (Navy)
Abstract
A successful FCT project will provide the United States Navy an alternative Photonics Mast for the Virginia Class and Ohio Class submarines. The purpose of this effort is to correct a reliability shortfall with the current system that is impacting operational availability. Photonics Mast system provides the imaging, navigation, electronic warfare, and communications function for critical safety of ship and tactical intelligence applications. The current system has significant reliability and maintainability issues. This FCT will test a foreign mast that offer the potential increase in reliability and maintainability, more modular in design and lower overall cost to the Navy. The primary outputs and efficiencies to be demonstrated in the FCT are: (1) modular construction of the FCT photonics mast will allow rapid maintenance actions and replacement of functional elements of the sensor at the Intermediate Maintenance Activity vice having to return the sensor to the factory for service; (2) the FCT technology will be upgradeable (Technology Insertion/Refresh): Implementation of high definition color cameras will provide a much improved imagery to the operator; (3) the new system will be more reliable when compared to the legacy Kollmorgen photonics mast; and (4) avoid potential added RDT&E costs of over $30.000 million.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- f53c91d7568fbc1d1b7e872cbd2935ac