Virginia Class Sub Program Report February 2004

Since 02-29-04

From NSL UPDATE 02-20-2004

VIRGINIA Class Submarine Program Reported in DoD’s Director of Operational Test and Evaluation's (DOT&E) Annual Report

The DOT&E's Annual Report contains information regarding the performance that was reported this week in Inside the Navy. The following is an unclassified response prepared by PMS 450 citing the DOT&E comment and the Navy response:

DOT&E VIRGINIA Comment 1:  The propulsor will not meet all performance design objectives for the VIRGINIA class. What performance objectives are not met? What will the program do about it?

Response 1: The VIRGINIA propulsor design is highly advanced, extremely quiet and on the leading edge of what is considered technologically possible.  Performance predictions are based on analytical design tools and scaled models.  Actual performance of the VIRGINIA design at full scale is a complex function of overall ship characteristics combined with the manner in which the ship is operated.  In the context of entire ship performance, the VIRGINIA design is expected to fully meet the needs for the VIRGINIA Class.  Details on specific propulsor performance objectives are classified.

DOT&E VIRGINIA Comment 2:  The Lightweight Wide Aperture Array (LWWAA) has channel-to-channel phase variations in the fiber optic signals.

Response 2:  The LWWAA software has been updated to correct the channel-to-channel phase variation.  The updated software has been successfully tested in the laboratory, and will be tested on the VIRGINIA during dockside trials to verify final acceptability. 

DOT&E VIRGINIA Comment 3: LWWAA fails to meet cold start requirements.

Response 3:  The cold start comment regards the Initial Program Load (IPL) time requirement.  The latest test to determine LWWAA IPL time (i.e. cold start) was conducted in Dec 2003.  Based on this testing, the VIRGINIA Program Office has given preliminary acceptance for the LWWAA IPL time for VIRGINIA and TEXAS (SSN775).  Further testing will be conducted during sea trials before final acceptance.

DOT&E VIRGINIA Comment 4:  The ability to respond to and evacuate from damaged berthing areas is potentially degraded by many high-pressure air/hydraulic lines, cables, pipes outboard the berthing areas, as well as small passageways and cramped spaces in the berthing areas.

Response 4:  A review team conducted a thorough investigation of VIRGINIA and found that overall damage control, habitability and quality of life is better than that of previous classes of attack submarines.  As a result of the review teams efforts, minor changes were recommended for accomplishment on VIRGINIA prior sea trials.

DOT&E VIRGINIA Comment 5:  Initial at-sea operations will use paper charts and tables vice a paperless navigation capability.

Response 5:  Paper chart navigation will be used on the first two ships of the VIRGINIA Class until implementation of the Electronic Chart Display and Information System – Navy (ECDIS-N).  The Navigation Data Distribution and Display (ND3) digital navigation software was originally planned for use on VIRGINIA.  In  2003, the Navy selected the Voyage Management System as the single ECDIS-N navigation system for the Navy in the future and the Program transitioned to the Voyage Management System.