Advancing Processes for Legacy Component Recycling and Re-Introduction During System Modernization During Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul – Phase III
NCMS Project #: 140997
Problem: The U.S. Navy is pursuing an advanced lightweight torpedo capable of prosecuting and defeating challenging adversary submarine targets. To successfully meet this need, a warhead capable of addressing this challenge is required.
Benefit: Solutions will shed light on sustainment in the private sector, saving time and money, possibly providing jobs and protecting the environment and should be easily adaptable by commercial industries when applied to maintenance and sustainment, as well as total lifecycle management efforts.
Solution/Approach: The project will demonstrate the advantages of recycling and reuse as a viable sustainment option for assets and systems, for the both the public and private sectors. This objective can be achieved by engineering sound technical solutions for maintaining and sustaining the MK 122 Mod 0 warheads that have been relegated to storage after removal from service for the purposes of extending their life and utilizing these warheads in the future lightweight torpedo. Phase I was successful in identifying a path to production of MK122 warhead case and liner. Phase II investigated the inspection and process requirements of the raw material and forming processes. Phase III will concentrate on analyzing hardware previously produced and validating the components to ensure the MK 122 warhead can be used on the MK 50 torpedo.
Impact on Warfighter:
- Reduce costs, waste and carbon footprint
- Improve sustainment and warfighter readiness
- Extend lifecycle
DOD Participation:
- U.S. Navy, Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head EOD Technology Center
- U.S. Navy, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Newport
- U.S. Navy, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Keyport
Industry Participation:
- Northrup Grumman Innovation Systems (NGIS)
- NCMS
Benefit Area(s):
- Cost savings
- Obsolescence management and continued maintenance capability
- Positive environmental impact
- Safety
- Improved readiness
- Lightweighting
Focus Area:
- Other