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NSWC Crane Experts in ICAP-III Program Sustainment Engineering

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081120-10
Release Date: 11/20/2008 9:27:00 PM

From Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Corporate Communications

CRANE, Ind. (NNS) -- Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane) unveiled a new capability recently to repair several weapons replaceable assemblies (WRAs) within the new EA-6B Prowler Improved Capabilities Systems III (ICAP-III) aircraft.

The development of this sustainment capability for the ALQ-218(V)1 Electronic Warfare (EW) receiver suite, is being supported by the program's Diminishing Manufacturing Sources & Material Support (DMSMS) working group (WG) led by Crane's Obsolescence Management Branch. NSWC Crane also supports the DMSMS WG by analyzing today's rapidly changing technology and investigating parts obsolescence to address potential sustainment issues for the EW receiver suite in the future.

"We have been working on engineering repair capability for the ALQ-218(V)1 system for many years now and have started to complete our goals," said Scott Haren, NSWC Crane's Electronic Warfare/Information Operations Center and a member of the DMSMS WG.

For example, 10 unique WRAs and several unique antenna arrays are avionics equipments installed in the ALQ-218(V)1. NSWC Crane engineers are now capable of repairing five unique WRAs and four unique antenna arrays of the ALQ-218(V)1 for the fleet. If there are technical problems within the WRAs, they can be removed off the aircraft aboard the carrier and replaced with properly functioning units.

The DMSMS WG meets quarterly to discuss and agree upon solutions regarding obsolete parts and to implement the solutions.

"Obsolescence of electronic parts is a serious problem affecting military systems," said Haren. "Obsolete parts are extremely expensive to replace and obsolescence issues compromise the sustainability of these systems over long periods."

Manufacturers periodically provide notices or production notifications regarding obsolete parts to the industry. The DMSMS WG attempts to anticipate obsolescence problems through extensive research, and if a part is no longer going to be produced, the WG looks for alternate sources or similar parts to replace the obsolete part. Another solution is to make smart buying decisions based on planned usage in the form of "life-of-type buys".

"In life-of-type buys, you purchase parts in quantity to support the life of the system up front instead of paying to have an obsolete part redesigned," said Haren. "This method can save hundreds of thousands of dollars, especially if a piece of equipment is expected to last another 20 years.

"The DMSMS WG is managing many other shipboard systems for the Navy, and thanks to our work, NSWC Crane is starting to be considered the source of excellence for obsolescence management and research," said Haren.

He added that in the past the program resolved 53 of 76 DMSMS obsolescence issues.

"Of these 53 issues, 39 have been implemented, and the accumulation of each associated cost avoidance estimate is approximately $800,000," said Haren.

NSWC Crane's EW/IO Center develops innovative technical solutions across air, ground, maritime and space domains for the joint and coalition forces.

For more news from Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane), visit www.navy.mil/local/crane/.