Overview
Flexible Infrastructure Qualification (2014-444)
Project Team:
- Ingalls Shipbuilding
- Hilti North America
- Newport News Shipbuilding
- National Technical Systems
May 2014 - August 2016
NSRP ASE Investment: $1.0M
Industry Investment: $609K
Objective:
To develop the requirements, plans, and specific procedures, and conduct testing as required to qualify specific Fl design elements for use on Navy surface combatants and amphibious assault ships.
Summary:
This project developed the requirements, plans, and specific procedures, and conducted testing as required to qualify specific Flexible Infrastructure design elements for use on Navy surface combatants and amphibious assault ships. The qualification status of each component of Flexible Infrastructure, as well as its particular function was reviewed with respect to applicability to surface combatants and amphibious assault ships. The components which provided the best opportunity for cost and schedule reduction for the largest number of platforms were determined.
The Flexible Infrastructure qualification effort began with a review of the prior and current Flexible Infrastructure qualification testing in order to develop a test plan that leverages all relevant work by others and satisfies the applicable NAVSEA Technical Warrant Holders (TWHs). Upon NAVSEA test plan approval, the project team fabricated the test articles and executed the required qualification testing. Test results were evaluated and discussed with the appropriate NAVSEA TWHs to ensure that there were no remaining issues standing in the way of system qualification approval. A final project report and a final project workshop was held to disseminate project findings and encourage widespread industry adoption of Flexible Infrastructure systems.
This project proposed to develop the requirements, plans and specific procedures, and conduct testing as required to qualify specific Flexible Infrastructure design elements (overhead track and bulkhead track systems with various dummy mass attachments representing shipboard configurations) for use on Navy surface combatants and amphibious assault ships. Flexible Infrastructure, if properly implemented, may provide cost and schedule savings for new construction of ships and it should significantly reduce the cost for technology upgrades, maintenance and repair during the life of the ship. Elements of Flexible Infrastructure have already been approved and used in limited applications on CVN 78.
Key Deliverables:
Request Final Report from NSRP – Limited Distribution authorized to U.S. shipyards, Department of Defense and NSRP ASE Program representatives
Point of Contact:
Sean Murphy, Ingalls Shipbuilding