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New Distance Support Processes Ensure LCS Stays in the Fight

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060717-11
7/17/2006

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Paula M. Ludwick, Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Surface Warfare Enterprise’s distance support team is developing a new process of distance support for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) which will have a core crew of about 40 operator/technicians for a ship the size of a frigate.

The team’s goal is to incorporate remote monitoring in the LCS configuration to assist with the distance support that the crew will have to rely on for maintenance. Remote monitoring is the current process by which shipboard equipment and system data is collected, processed and analyzed by shore-based organizations.

“Distance support and remote monitoring are the most important emerging technologies in the fleet today,” said Capt. David H. Lewis, Commander, Naval Surface Forces’ (CNSF) assistant chief of staff for maintenance and engineering. “The intent of the remote monitoring capability will be to prevent equipment casualties and enable an LCS to be forward deployed for longer periods.”

Distance support is defined as a combination of process and technology that provides the transfer of data, information and knowledge at the right time, to the right people, at the right place, that significantly improves the productivity of the Sailor and Marine and the mission readiness of naval forces.

“With distance support utilized correctly, operators onboard an LCS will be able to contact the LCS squadron commander’s Maritime Support Detachment (MSD),” said Lt. Cmdr. Frank L. Dugie, CNSF action officer for Fleet Introduction, Maintenance and Engineering. “The MSD will assist the shipboard operator in resolving any issues they may have with their equipment.

If the MSD is unable to resolve the problem through distance support, a fly-away team will then deploy to wherever the ship may be operating and correct the deficiency with the system.

These LCS-dedicated fly-away teams will consist of approximately 20 Navy repair and maintenance technicians with their equipment and ready to leave at a moment’s notice. The teams will also visit their LCS three days per month to perform all preventative and corrective maintenance that the ship’s core crew is unable to complete. In addition, the team will be there at every crew turnover to ensure the ship is ready for the new core crew.

“Maintenance continuity will be provided through the fly-away teams, especially when dealing with multiple crews swaps over an extended deployment,” said Dugie.

Ultimately, the goal is to have the distance support remote monitoring capability on all of the systems aboard an LCS. Technicians ashore will then be able to determine the problems with specific systems by analyzing the data sent ashore from the systems’ diagnostic tests. Remote monitoring will also enable personnel aboard LCSs to complete corrective actions before equipment casualties occur.

“This will optimize the return cost of the ship – the right readiness at the right time at the right cost,” said Lewis.

For related news, visit the Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cnsp/.