Page 6. MAINE COASTAL NEWS April 2015 UNITED STATES NAVY NEWS
transition to operators.” Currently, U.S. Navy mobile diving and salvage units meet their requirement for manned diving operations with the Fly- Away Mixed Gas System (FMGS). The FMGS provides breathing gas through an umbilical to a demand regulated, open cir- cuit, diver-worn helmet. In each breathing cycle all inhalation is from surface supplied gas, and all exhalant vents to the sea. In the process a large portion of oxygen and helium are wasted.
Navy Scientists Develop Prototype for Diver Life Support
By Jacqui Barker, Offi ce of Public Affairs, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Public Affairs
PANAMA CITY, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Sur- face Warfare Center Panama City (NSWC PC) scientists have developed a prototype for a new life support system for divers the Navy announced March 19.
The goal of the new system is to acceler- ate the deployment of Navy divers, increase safety, and also conserve helium, a valuable natural resource. “This new, semi-closed system was conceived to drastically reduce helium requirements,” said NSWC PC Principal Investigator Dr. John Camperman. “And where possible we also incorporated proven technology in the system in order to speed
Conserving helium can produce a snowball-like effect. FMGS operational cost is driven by transportation, support ves- sel size, and consumables (largely helium). Reducing helium requirements will reduce deck space requirements, and can thereby positively impact all three cost variables. The new life support system is part of the Initial Response Diving (IRD) project. IRD is a Navy innovative science and engi- neering initiative to support faster recovery of objects in deep waters. The ultimate goal of IRD is to provide military diver interven- tion to depths of 600 feet anywhere in the world. The goal would put diver’s hands on targets for recovery within 36 hours of deployment.
The implications of this project have international and humanitarian signifi cance. The IRD project could support life-saving rescues for survivors trapped in a capsized hull, or subsea infrastructure maintenance. The project could also enhance disabled submarine assessment and escape, or rap- idly recover sensitive debris from vessels, aircraft or spacecraft. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division conducts research, development, test and evaluation, in-service
support of mine warfare systems, mines, na- val special warfare systems, diving and life support systems, amphibious/expeditionary maneuver warfare systems, and other mis- sions that occur primarily in coastal (littoral) regions. It is a fi eld activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).
New 3D-Simulator Generates Training, Expertise on Subs
By David Smalley, Offi ce of Naval Re- search Public Affairs
ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- A new diesel generator simulator has been delivered to Pearl Harbor naval facilities by the TechSo- lutions program at the Offi ce of Naval Re- search (ONR), offi cials at ONR announced March 18. High-fi delity 3D software will allow Sailors to use 50-inch touch screens to see and access all parts of the massive generators aboard Virginia-class subs. The Navy’s Virginia-class submarines are among the most technically advanced vessels ever built. But even these cut- ting-edge, fast-attack, nuclear-powered boats need emergency generators on hand and Sailors trained to operate and repair them.
As Sailors are being trained on the sim-
ulator, they are able to touch different parts of the screen to view and access all parts of the complex generators, even moving virtual controls and twisting virtual knobs to make adjustments based on digital data or sight inspection.
The advanced 3D program-called the Multipurpose Reconfigurable Training System (MRTS)-will provide estimated cost avoidances of $27 million over building more generators for training, freeing up funds for signifi cant expansion of training capabilities. The improvements include ex- pansion of the Machinery Room where the simulators will be placed, allowing greater immersion and multiple-mission scenarios that until now had been largely confi ned to the classroom.
“The beauty of the system is that it should reduce the amount of lab time, while
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increasing the scenarios the instructor can put the students through,” said Darrell Conley, project manager for Virginia diesel program at Naval Air Warfare Training Sys- tems Division.
The simulator is part of ONR’s answer to Chief of Naval Operation Adm. Jonathan Greenert’s Navigation Plan 2015-2019. The plan calls for greater focus on critical afl oat and ashore readiness, including “develop- ment and fi elding of live, virtual and con- structive training environments to provide more realistic training at a reduced cost.” The TechSolutions program takes tech- nology requests directly from Sailors and Marines. When the organization receives a request for a technology solution to a prob- lem, anything from Sailors on watch needing improvements in steel toe boots, to Marines in theater requesting better mortar sights, the program attempts to fi nd and deliver a rapid technology prototype solution, usually within 12-18 months from the request being received.
“The work being done by TechSolu- tions makes an enormous difference to our Sailors and Marines,” said ONR Executive Director Dr. Walter Jones. “Innovative tech- nologies, directly requested by our men and women in uniform, are able to reach the user in accelerated timeframes, making contribu- tions from daily life to tactical functionality of platforms in the fi eld.”
The Sailors will work with the genera- tor simulator at Pearl Harbor over the next several months, and it will ultimately be con- sidered for transition to Naval Sea Systems Command’s Undersea Warfare Directorate. For Sailors and Marines interested in submitting a technology request: Visit Tech- Solutions.
ONR provides the science and tech- nology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps’ technological advantage. Through its affi liates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 70 countries, 1,035 institutions of higher learning and 914 industry partners. ONR employs approximately 1,400 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract
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