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NSWC Port Hueneme's "Desert Ship" Gets Upgrades

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071211-03
Release Date: 12/11/2007 1:56:00 PM

By Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Public Affairs

WHITE SANDS, N.M. (NNS) -- Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Port Hueneme Division, White Sands Detachment Desert Ship completed formal certification testing and review of its upgraded combat and weapon system test equipment Nov. 1.

Formal panel certification of the upgrades is expected to take place Nov. 28.

"This has been the result of a five-year process," said Les Gibbs, weapons test officer. "The recent emphasis on joint integrated testing has provided the impetus to upgrade the fire control capabilities of the Desert Ship. These upgrades will enhance our ability to provide the Navy with integrated fire control testing as well as weapons-only testing."

The Desert Ship upgrade includes Aegis Open Architecture Fire Control System software operating in a commercial off-the-shelf hardware environment.

The upgrade also encompasses a MK-41 Vertical Launching System, MK-74 Radar and Aegis Missile Communication System located two miles from the Desert Ship. This remote launching capability meets shore facility explosive safety requirements, but is technically important in being the only land-based location providing point defense scenario capability. The upgrade capabilities will be demonstrated later this calendar year by firing a SM-2 Block IIIB against a BQM-74 airborne target.

Port Hueneme's White Sands Detachment is part of the 400 square miles that make up the White Sands Missile Range. Although the range is an Army asset, the Navy has a 60-plus year history of missile testing on the range, starting with the V-2 Rockets in the late 1940s.

The White Sands Detachment, including the Desert Ship, performs live-fire test and evaluation of Navy weapons encompassing missiles, guided munitions and high-energy laser technologies. Their mission also includes research rockets as well as derivative rocket systems providing for the test and evaluation of ballistic missile defense.