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Navy's ManTech Program Cost Reduction Goals on Target

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080411-15
Release Date: 4/11/2008 2:08:00 PM

By Colin Babb, Office of Naval Research Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- The Navy's ManTech office, managed by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), is continuing to support the Virginia Class Program Office in its efforts to reach its cost reduction goals as mandated by the Chief of Naval Operations.

"The ONR ManTech program is playing a significant role in the Virginia-class submarine cost-reduction effort by allowing the program to investigate an unusually wide range of cost-saving, manufacturing technologies," said Capt. David C. Johnson, the Virginia-class program manager.

The Navy ManTech program works with defense contractors, the Naval Research Enterprise, Navy acquisition program offices, and academia to develop improved processes and equipment. Project success is measured by implementation of these technologies on the factory floor and rapid transition to the fleet to support Navy warfighters.

A concerted effort to prioritize cost-reduction Virginia-class ManTech projects began last fiscal year. In that time, seven of the affordability focused projects have been completed and are in some phase of implementation. Currently, there are more than 60 different Navy ManTech projects focused on Virginia-class manufacturing technology priorities.

ManTech-related cost savings by the Virginia Class Program Office and General Dynamics, Electric Boat Corporation have realized $1.6 million per-hull cost savings, thus far. Projects approved to improve the manufacturing process to date include ultralight welding systems, composite flood gates, and laser projection. The ManTech total project portfolio has a potential total cost savings of approximately $30 million per hull.

During the last affordability assessment, ManTech, in concert with the submarine prime contractors and the Virginia Class Program Office, assessed the current total of more than 60 projects at a combined ManTech investment of approximately $39 million. The resulting estimate for cost savings of these projects means that ManTech will see a return on its investments in less than two hulls.

"I am very pleased with the successful project implementations and associated cost savings resulting from the strong partnership Navy ManTech has formed with the Virginia Class Program Office and the submarine industrial base," said ONR ManTech program manager John C. Carney. "The Navy ManTech team looks forward to building on these successes and continuing to develop and transition key manufacturing technology improvements to make a significant impact to the Virginia cost reduction effort."

Managed within the Office of Naval Research (ONR), the Navy ManTech program provides for the development of enabling manufacturing technology and the transition of this technology for the production and sustainment of Navy weapon systems to support the fleet. Navy ManTech is currently focused on shipbuilding affordability. Reducing the acquisition cost of current and future platforms is a critical goal of the Navy, and ManTech aids in achieving this goal by developing and transitioning key manufacturing technologies.

For more news from the Office of Naval Research, visit www.navy.mil/local/onr/.