NSSA 2M Lab's Quick Fix Keeps USS Montpelier Operational

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120914-09
9/14/2012

By Douglas Denzine, Norfolk Ship Support Activity Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Norfolk Ship Support Activity's (NSSA) Miniature/Micro-Miniature (2M) Electronic Repair Lab completed the restoration of two AN/WLR-8 (V) circuit cards essential to the Electronic Warfare (EW) System aboard USS Montpelier (SSN 765), Sept. 5.

"The repairs performed rapidly returned a critical safety of ship system to full operational readiness," said Lt. Cmdr. Craig Broussard, electronics material officer for Commander Submarine Squadron Six. "Their efforts do not go unnoticed, and are a valuable asset to the maintenance and sustainability of our waterfront submarines."

NSSA's 2M Lab Technical Electricians Steve Thomas and Stephen Lay, used a test routine called a Gold Disk, which runs the circuit cards through a series of checks using static signatures of all the components that comprise the card.

"This is a static test, which means it is a non-energized test. Initially, we don't have a way to test it in an energized state," said Thomas. "After running through the test routine, we will isolate a fault based on the signatures through the Gold Disk. Once we figure out what didn't work well, we do 2M work to replace the component. After the component is replaced, then we have the ship take their part and conduct an operational test with it on the ship."

According to Thomas, NSSA's 2M Lab receives these types of parts for repair on a daily basis and maintain a 90 percent success rate on repairs made.

"We do this on a daily basis and receive request support from Naval Undersea Warfare Center," said Laura Petty, 2M production supervisor. "They have a Fleet Action Readiness Team that provides parts from decommissioned ships, and we utilize their services to obtain the parts we need. That's the real reason for the quick turnaround, having the parts on hand and, of course, having outstanding technicians who can quickly and accurately identify the faults."

NSSA's 2M lab is comprised of four civilian technicians and four military technicians, all capable of keeping up with the constant demand for quality repairs that are quickly completed on vital parts that ensure the Fleet stays operational.