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Carl Vinson Combat Systems Begins Wave Guide Testing

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081031-07
Release Date: 10/31/2008 6:14:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Candice Villarreal, USS Carl Vinson Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- The USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Combat Systems Department is conducting its first wave guide tests in more than three years, as the ship prepares to enter the final phases of its Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding.

The AN/SPS-43 and AN/SPS-67 wave guides, last operational in early 2005, allow the safe, mission-essential transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals throughout the ship.

"All of our radar equipment transmits radio frequency (RF) signals, which, without wave guides, could potentially be harmful," said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Jermaine Gordon. "These guides are conduits that ensure the safety of our crew, so they're very important to us."

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier utilizes RF signals for numerous radar functions on board, including air search, fire control, weathering, navigation, communications and air traffic control applications at sea.

"This kind of testing will prove to be absolutely mission-critical when we get underway," said Electronics Technician 1st Class (SW) Bradley Stewart.
"Without the radars, we can't navigate or fly planes, and we can't defend our ship from enemy threats. These tests are the backbone for ensuring that all of our systems get back on line properly before we head back out to sea."

While the division is hard at work conducting cooling flushes and acid washes to clean out the system in preparation for sea trials, some of the fleet's newest Sailors are getting extensive hands-on, in-rate training for the very first time.

According to Stewart, the entire combat systems team is committed to ensuring that each Sailor in the division acquires the skills he or she will need when the aircraft carrier returns to operational status in support of America's maritime strategy.

"Right now we're maintaining and testing our equipment for the first time since I've been on board, so it's a big milestone for me," said Gordon. "I am actually putting my hands on the equipment now and seeing it all get closer to becoming operational again every day. It's fulfilling to be able to do what I signed up for, and I think we're all excited about the fact that we're going to be out on the water soon."

USS Carl Vinson is currently undergoing its scheduled refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard. The RCOH is an extensive yard period that all Nimitz-class aircraft carriers go through near the mid-point of their 50-year life cycle.

During RCOH Carl Vinson's nuclear fuel will be replenished and the ship's services and infrastructure will be upgraded to make her the most state-of-the-art aircraft carrier in the fleet and prepare for another 25 years or more of service.

For more news from USS Carl Vinson, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn70/.