For more than a decade, Team Submarine has had an indelible presence at the Naval Submarine League’s (NSL) Annual Symposium. Our flag officers have made numerous presentations and various staff members have manned a booth in the exhibit area. Team Submarine has even been honored by NSL with the 2009 NSL Submariner of the Year Award. Despite this recognition, the Team Submarine concept is not well known, as evidenced by the most common question asked to our booth workers -“What is Team Submarine?”
Team Submarine unites the Program Executive Officer for Submarines (PEO SUB}; the Deputy Commander, Undersea Warfare (SEA 07); the Deputy Commander, Undersea Technology (SEA 073); the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC); and the Submarine Maintenance Engineering, Planning, and Procurement (SUBMEPP) Activity, once separate submarine-related commands and activities, into a single submari11e-ce11tric team. In doing so, Team Submarine eliminates traditional stovepipe structures and processes that previously created impediments and inefficiencies in the submarine research, development, acquisition, and maintenance communities. Team Submarine provides improved communication among the various offices that contribute to the overall success of the United States Submarine Force.
To provide greater visibility into Team Submarine, discussed below are a list of all the program offices, a description of what they do, and some of their recent accomplishments.
Program Executive Office for Submarines (PEO SUB)
Rear Adm. David Johnson is the Navy’s Program Executive Officer for Submarines. As PEO SUB, Rear Adm. Johnson is responsible for a number of submarine research, development, and acquisition programs. PEO SUB consists of eight program offices each tasked with the development and acquisition of specific submarines or submarine systems. These program offices are:
Virginia Class Submarine Program (PMS 450) -oversees the design, construction, and delivery of at least thirty Virginia Class submarines. The Virginia Class is designed and built to operate in today’s challenging undersea environment across a wide array of littorals and blue-water operations. To date, eight Virginia Class submarines have been delivered, six are under construction and four more are under contract.
On Dec. 22, 2008, the Navy awarded a contract for eight Virginia Class submarines. The third contract for the Virginia Class, or Block III, covering hulls 784-791 is a $14 billion Multi-Year Procurement (MYP) contract that takes significant advantage of an increased procurement rate, enhanced construction processes, and design for affordability. As a result of the Virginia Class Cost Reduction effort, the Block III contract meets the Chief of Naval Operations 2005 mandate to remove approximately 20 percent of the per-hull cost by 2012. The Block Ill contract provides for one Virginia per year in Fiscal Years (FY) 2009 and 2010 with two per year in 2011, 2012, and 2013.
The Program Office is now working to further leverage its acquisition cost reduction successes into the ongoing Reduction in Total Ownership Cost (RTOC) initiative. The RTOC initiative seeks to reduce total ownership cost and increase operational availability through decreased depot maintenance.
Operationally, the Virginia Class has had several first-of-class successes. On Oct. 13, 2009, USS TEXAS (SSN 775) surfaced near the North Pole, marking the first Virginia visit to the Arctic Ocean. USS VIRGINIA (SSN 774) and USS HAW All (SSN 776) recently completed successful full length deployments-the first for the Class-and maintained an operational tempo (OPTEMPO) of 84.6 and 84 percent respectively. USS TEXAS (SSN 775) completed its first deployment in August 20 I 0 and maintained an OPTEMPO of94 percent.
More recently, the Navy celebrated the commissioning of USS CALIFORNIA (SSN 781 ), the eighth ship of the Class, on Oct. 29, 2011 at a ceremony held at Norfolk Naval Station, Norfolk, Va. PCU MISSISSIPPI (SSN 782) was christened by Ms. Allison Stiller, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Ships, on Dec. 3, 2011. Other Team Submarine milestones were the keel laying for PCU MINNESOTA (SSN 783) and the construction start for the next two Virginia (SSN 786 and SSN 787). The construction start for these submarines in 2011 marked the first time in 22 years that the Navy has begun construction on two submarines of the same class in the same year.
Ohio Replacement Program Office (PMS 397) -oversees the research, development, and acquisition of the replacement to the current Ohio Class ballistic missile submarines. Recent major program events include the Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) and the Gate 2 review. These were completed in preparation for Milestone A which was achieved on Jan. 10, 2011. As part of Milestone A, the program has begun its Technology Development Phase during which the Navy will establish requirements for the future class of submarines.
Team Submarine is prototyping components and certifying vendors for the Ohio Replacement today to ensure a smooth transition to design and construction in the coming years. The program office recently completed initial prototyping efforts on the missile tubes to prove the innovative modular build strategy.
Special Operations Forces (SOF) Undersea Mobility (PMS 399) -is responsible for the coordination of research and development initiatives, acquisition, test and evaluation, and in-service support of Dry Deck Shelters (DDS), Special Operation Forces (SOF) Host Submarines Systems, and future SOF undersea mobility systems.
In 2008, PMS 399 supported a significant milestone for the DDS when all six DDS were aboard submarines at the same time. Five DDS were mated to SSGNs and one was installed on USS NORTH CAROLINA (SSN 777).
The program office recently stood up the Dry Deck Shelter Extension Acquisition Branch and Dry Combat Submersible Branch in advance of a planned effort to extend the pressure hull of the existing DDSs and explore the feasibility of a acquiring a new dry combat submersible, respectively.
Submarine Acoustic Systems (PMS 401) -is responsible for the development, acquisition, delivery and life cycle support of submarine towed and hull-mounted acoustic sensors as well as associated processing and support systems. The Acoustic Rapid COTS (Commercial Off-the-Shelf) Insertion (ARCI) program provides the submarine with regular hardware-Technology Insertion (Tl) -and software -Advanced Processor Build (APB) -system refreshes based on state of the practice COTS Open Architecture (OA) components allowing ships to continuously deploy the most advanced warfighting capability available.
ARCI also supports processing for the Submarine Force’s newest acoustic sensors. The TB-34 Fatline Towed Array and the Low Cost Conformal Array, which extends high frequency passive capability to near 360 degrees, have reached full rate production this year.
In fiscal year (FY I 0) and FY 11, 14 submarines completed ARCI installations. Additionally, TI08/APB09 underwent operational tests on USS NORTH CAROLINA (SSN 777).
Undersea Weapons (PMS 404) -oversees the production, in-service support, and modernization of the Navy’s Lightweight torpedoes (L WT) (MK46 & MK54), Heavyweight torpedoes (HWT) (MK48), and acoustic submarine emulators (targets) (MK30 Mod Is & 2s).
The MK46 and MK54 L WT are the Navy’s surface and air-craft launched anti-submarine torpedoes. Fielded with an expandable Open Architecture (OA) system, the MK54 combines software algorithms from the L WT and HWT programs with the latest commercial off-the shelf technology. The MK54 torpedo will replace the MK46 torpedo as the payload section for the Vertical Launched Anti-Submarine Rocket. Additionally, the MK54 is being fielded for rapid employment by surface and aviation assets. The High-Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapons Capability (HAAWC) program will provide an adapter kit to permit long-range, high altitude OPS-guided deployment of the MK54 by a P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
The U.S. Navy maintains a Joint Program Office (JPO) with the Royal Australian Navy for the development, testing, fielding, and post delivery support of the MK48 Advanced Capability (ADCAP) Common Broadband Advanced Sonar System (CBASS) torpedo.
The Undersea Weapons Program Office recently competitively awarded both the MK48 and MK54 contracts.
Undersea Defensive Warfare Systems (PMS 415) -conducts research, development, and acquisition of both submarine and surface-ship undersea weapons defensive systems.
These systems include acoustic countermeasures, acoustic intercept systems, towed torpedo defense systems, and acoustic augmentation systems.
At the direction of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Surface Ship Torpedo Defense (SSTD) has been a main focus area for the program office. The program office is working to deliver a hybrid prototype SSTD capability to a high-value unit in FY13.
Another focus area for PMS 415 has been Submarine Acoustic Warfare Systems (SAWS). The program office recently awarded a contract for the Next Generation Counter Measure Developmental Contract which is designed to provide submarine defense from torpedoes employed by hostile nations.
Submarine Combat and Weapons Control (PMS 425) -develops and acquires combat and weapons control systems for both new construction and in-service submarines. Submarine combat and weapons control system utilizes information gathered by the submarine’s sensors to localize and prosecute targets while maintaining situational awareness.
The program relies on Rapid COTS (Commercial Off-the-Shelf) Insertion (RCI) to provide regular hardware-Technology Insertion (TI) -and software -Advanced Processor Build (APB) -updates. Tl’s provide a submarine’s hardware baseline allowing for the integration of future capabilities. State of the practice COTS OA components are updated every two years with a platform receiving a new hardware baseline every four years. APBs are provided to the latest hardware baseline every even year and provide improved capability over the previous baseline. Additionally, Tl’s provide proactive COTS obsolescence management of a submarine’s hardware baseline with the added benefit of increased processing power allowing for the integration of future capabilities.
The Submarine Combat and Weapons Control Program Office is currently working to transition all SSNs and SSGNs to a common system, the AN/BYG-1. All legacy conversions are planned to be completed by end of calendar year 2013.
Similar to the office maintained by PMS 404, the U.S. Navy maintains a JPO with the Royal Australian Navy for the development, testing, fielding, and post delivery support of the ANfBYG-1 system.
Submarine Imaging and Electronic Warfare Systems (PMS 435) -designs, develops, and oversees the construction, modernization, and in-service engineering of Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, periscope systems, and photonics masts. Photonics masts, employed aboard Virginia Class attack submarines and Ohio Class SSGNs, replace traditional barrel periscopes with non-penetrating masts containing black and white, color, and infrared digital cameras located in an outboard sensor unit.
PMS 435 also procures the Integrated Submarine Imaging System (ISIS). ISIS provides visual and infrared imaging, integrated control and display and the Periscope Acquisition Tracking and Ranging with Improved Observation Techniques (PATRIOT) Radar on Los Angeles and Seawolf Class attack submarines along with the Ohio Class SSGN and Virginia Class Submarines. ISIS will be integrated into the Submarine Warfare Federated Tactical System (SWFTS) and will implement the TI/APB process utilized by ARCI and AN/BYG-1 starting with TI-10.
The program office is also pursuing the development of a Low Profile Photonics Mast and an Affordable Modular Panoramic Photonics Mast (360 degree imaging mast).
In addition to imaging programs, PMS 435 also procures and supports the AN/BLQ-10 Electronic Warfare (EW) and Improved Communications Acquisition and Direction Finding (ICADF) systems which are COTs based replacements for the legacy AN/WLR-8 and AN/BRD-7 systems.
Maritime and Surveillance Systems (PMS 485) -procures systems which provide tactical cueing and acoustic surveillance of the undersea domain. The program office is comprised of four main components-the Fixed Surveillance System (FSS), the Mobile Surveillance Systems (MSS), which includes Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System (SURT ASS) and the Low Frequency Active systems, the Integrated Common Processor (ICP), and the Distributed System Group (DSG).
In July 2011, PMS 485 transferred from PEO Littoral Mine Warfare to PEO Submarine. Since then, the program office has participated in several successful demonstrations and certifications such as the installation and full system shakedown of the Compact Low Frequency Active (CLFA) Array on USNS Effective (T-AGOS-21).
Deputy Commander, Undersea Warfare (SEA 07)
Rear Adm. David Duryea, Deputy Commander, Undersea Warfare (SEA 07) is tasked with the total ownership of existing and emerging submarine platforms and systems. Aligned under SEA 07’s purview are several program offices that conduct and support submarine maintenance, submarine rescue, deep submergence, and submarine safety.
Strategic and Attack Submarine Program (PMS 392) -provides oversight and management of submarine life cycle maintenance and modernization of in-service submarines; provides the process and conducts oversight on the NA VSEA certification of submarines at the end of each Major Depot Availability; monitors submarine operations and coordinates NA VSEA technical and logistics support for day to day Fleet operations; and programs and manages the planning and execution of submarine and nuclear powered surface vessel inactivations and disposals at the end of each hull’s service life.
PMS 392’s oversight and management of modernization includes the development of all ship alteration design packages covering all the submarine systems and equipment, and arranges installation by shipyards, field activities, or contractor teams. The program also provides technical validation and approval for Temporary Alterations (TEMPALTS), which provide vital, mission-specific capabilities for deploying submarines. In the past year, 123 alteration design packages were issued and 87 new TEMP AL TS were approved for Ohio, Los Angeles, and Sea wolf Class submarines.
During FY 11, PMS 392 completed a highly-successful repair, and return to service, of USS HARTFORD (SSN 768). In support of Fleet requirements for increased Operational Availability and reduced total ownership costs, PMS 392, as part of Submarine Team One (STI) conducted technical analysis to permit the reduction of the depot maintenance required for Los Angeles Class submarines, increasing their operational intervals from 48 to 72 months. This both reduces the ships’ total ownership costs, and also adds, on average, one deployment per submarine over the ship’s life.
Submarine Hull, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering Management (PMS 392T) -provides superior, timely, and cost-effective life cycle maintenance, modernization, operations support, and systems engineering to ensure safe, reliable, mission capable submarines. Develops technically-acceptable alternatives and performs technical review/approval of any engineering changes and non-conformances.
Advanced Undersea Systems (PMS 394) -is responsible for the research, development, acquisition, test and evaluation, in-service support, and certification for advanced undersea systems. Assigned projects include submarine escape and rescue systems such as Submarine Rescue Chambers, Atmospheric Diving Systems, and the recently delivered Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System (SRDRS).
SRDRS is a three-phased acquisition program that delivers advanced submarine rescue and treatment assets to the Fleet. In 2008, SRDRS’s Rescue Capable System (RCS) replaced the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) as the U.S. Navy’s deep-submergence submarine rescue asset.
During the exercise Bold Monarch 2011, SRDRS conducted the first-ever U.S. Navy rescue system mate with a Russian Kilo submarine. During the exercise, SRDRS completed 10 dives on four foreign submarines, resulting in the rescue of 138 personnel.
PMS 394 is supporting the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research in a major upgrade of the Deep Submergence Vehicle Alvin (DSV-2). In this upgrade, Alvin will receive a new pressure sphere and upgraded capabilities to support the scientific community.
Logistics Management Support (SEA 07L) -manages logistic functions for submarine platforms and systems during all phases of acquisition and throughout the life cycle providing modernization and maintenance support.
It takes an incredible amount of logistical support to put, and keep, our submarines at sea. This includes certifying that submarines are properly equipped with parts, technical documentation and other products that enhance operational readiness and ensuring the integrity of ships configuration information. SEA 07L also provides a face to the Fleet in tackling issues such as parts obsolescence and supportability concerns.
Recently, SEA 07L published 480 technical manual changes and facilitated material resolutions for approximately 743 parts on all in-service submarine classes.
Submarine Training (SEA 07TR) -is responsible for the systems and programs associated with training submariners. These systems include the state of the art Submarine Multi-Mission Team Trainer (SMMTT) that provides shore-based training for submarine combat control and sonar systems. Other systems, such as the Submarine Bridge Trainer, cover training for ship control and navigation.
On Sept. 17, 2009 the SMMTT Development Team received the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition’s Innovation Excellence Acquisition Team Award for its innovative approach to bring together multiple partners to design and build a single, nearly all-encompassing, trainer.
Recent accomplishments include the installation of Virtual Tactical Labs in Groton, Conn. and San Diego, Calif. and the ground breaking of a Submarine Bridge Trainer in Groton.
Submarine Safety (SUBSAFE) and Quality Assurance Division (SEA 07Q) -is responsible for the implementation, administration, and coordination of the SUBSAFE, Deep Submergence Systems (DSS), and Submarine Fly-by-Wire (FBW) Ship Control System (SCS) Safety Certification Programs. The Division also enforces compliance with program requirements by conducting functional audits that assess the performance of activities engaged in SUBSAFE, DSS, and FBW work. In addition, SEA 07Q supports Team Submarine program offices, as well as both submarine Type Commanders, by performing SUB SAFE, DSS, and FBW certification audits and surveys of new construction and in-service assets. SEA 07Q plays an integral role in the U.S. Navy’s Submarine and Deep Submergence Systems Certification processes.
Both the SUBSAFE and DSS Programs were created following the catastrophic loss of the nuclear powered submarine USS THRESHER (SSN 593) on April 10, 1963. While the exact cause of the loss is not known, the Navy investigation indicated deficient ship design specifications, deficient shipbuilding practices, and deficient maintenance and repair practices were root causes. To address these shortfalls, the SUBSAFE Program was established to provide maximum reasonable assurance of submarine watertight integrity and recoverability from a flooding casualty. The DSS Program was established to ensure manned submersibles are certified resulting in acceptable levels of occupant safety throughout each system’s specified operating range when approved operating and maintenance procedures are followed. Finally, software and computers have replaced traditional electro-hydraulic and mechanical systems for ship control. Recognizing the importance of this new critical system, the Navy created the FBW SCS Safety Program modeling it after the SUBSAFE Program.
Among many other recent achievements, SEA 07Q completed 26 SUBSAFE, DSS, and FBW functional audits; 15 SUBSAFE Certification Audits; seven Unrestricted Operations certifications, and 30 DSS Sustaining and Certification Surveys in FY 11.
Submarine Maintenance Engineering, Planning, and Procurement (SUBMEPP) Activity -is responsible for the life cycle class maintenance planning, engineering, ship availability planning, material support, and maintenance instruction documents for the Submarine Force to ensure safe, reliable, and mission capable operations.
SUBMEPP, located in Portsmouth, N.H., participates in many initiatives to Reduce Total Ownership Costs and increase Operational Availability. Among these are the 48 to 72 month Operational Interval (OPINTERVAL) study of Los Angeles Class submarines with NA VSEA; Ohio Replacement Program design reviews for maintenance; and various individual ship engineering maintenance studies to support urgent Fleet needs and schedule changes.
Submarine Team One (STI) -is responsible for improving the way the Navy conducts submarine maintenance and is comprised of personnel from Team Submarine’s Strategic and Attack Program Office (PMS 392); the Submarine Maintenance Engineering Planning and Procurement Agency (SUBMEPP); the Naval Sea Systems Command’s (NA VSEA) Logistical, Maintenance, and Industrial Operations Directorate (SEA 04); NAVSEA’s Engineering Directorate (SEA 05); the Submarine Type Commanders; and the Naval Shipyards.
In 2011, STI won the Department of Defense Value Engineer-ing Achievement Team Award for the Navy for its efforts on an engineering study that allowed the Navy to extend OPINTERVAL of Los Angeles Class submarines from 48 months to 72 months.
Deputy Commander. Undersea Technology (SEA 073)
Rear Adm. Thomas Wears, Deputy Commander, Undersea Technology (SEA 073) is responsible for near and long term research and development for submarine systems, autonomous undersea systems, and offensive and defensive undersea warfare weapons systems. Additionally, Rear Adm. Wears is the commander of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) in Newport, R.I.
SEA073 is actively pursuing advancements in undersea technologies such as advanced propulsion systems, submarine support systems, stealth, and undersea warfare payloads and sensors.
Additionally, Rear Adm. Wears serves as the Undersea Enterprise’s Chief Technology Officer. In this capacity, Rear Adm. Wears has been tasked with developing the Undersea Enterprise’s Science and Technology (S&T) strategy, maintaining a vibrant relationship with the Chief of Naval Research and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and conducting periodic reviews to evaluate return on investment and rebalance the S&T portfolio as necessary.
Undersea Technology (SEA 073R) -is responsible for overseeing the development of advanced undersea warfare technologies for integration into surface, air, and submarine systems.
SEA073R is developing new technologies in several areas. One such technology is a new C02 scrubber system that utilizes solid vice liquid amine absorbent technology that is thermally regenerable, water tolerant, and non-caustic. Another area of research is in towed array reliability focused on Foreign Comparative Testing of systems and transitioning the Office of Naval Research’s (ONR) Towed Array Reliability Future Naval Capability Project.
Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) -operates the Navy’s full-spectrum research, development, test and evaluation, engineering, and Fleet support center for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, and offensive and defensive weapon systems associated with USW and related areas of homeland security and national defense. NUWC provides S&T, development, acquisition support, and Fleet support, providing technologically advanced products and services to the Submarine Force.
Conceived to increase efficiencies within the submarine acquisition, maintenance, and modernization communities, Team Submarine has grown into the premiere design, development, acquisition, modernization, and maintenance directorate; ensuring that the U.S. Navy remains number one in the world.
