Trailblazing NUWC Division Newport Engineers Revolutionize Submarine Upgrades in Australia

<p>A historic milestone was reached in international defense collaboration as members from the Handling Systems Engineering Branch in the Sensors and Sonar Systems Department participated in the first Submarine Tendered Maintenance Period (STMP) at HMAS Stirling, Perth, Australia. This significant event marks a noteworthy advancement in the AUKUS trilateral partnership involving Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.</p>

<p>The STMP, an initiative typically akin to the planned maintenance periods in U.S. submarine ports, was executed without necessitating a dry-dock for the submarine, lasting up to three weeks. Braman, with 14 years of experience at Division Newport, highlighted the historical importance of this task compared to his previous duties.</p>

<p>Braman expressed pride in conducting modernizations in Australia, particularly in Perth, noting, “To do a modernization on a submarine is nothing. Everyone does it. But we’re the first ones doing a modernization in Perth, and no one can take that away from us.”</p>

<p>During the project, the Integrated Service Engineers collaborated with personnel from the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to upgrade the thinline towed array handling system on the USS Hawaii (SSN 776), a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine.</p>

<p>This effort aids the realization of the AUKUS partnership's Pillar 1 objective: to enable Australia to possess a sovereign, conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability by the early 2030s. Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck acknowledged the collaboration's historical significance, emphasizing its unprecedented nature since World War II.</p>

<p>Ensuring smooth integration and knowledge transfer with foreign military counterparts was paramount. Savitzky mentioned, “The main thing is that we integrated with a foreign military and trained them on how to do maintenance, repair, troubleshooting and modernization on our system.”</p>

<p>The journey for George, Braman, and Savitzky from Rhode Island to Australia was undertaken on August 19, and they found the Royal Australian Navy personnel eager to absorb knowledge and assist in logistical operations.</p>

<p>The handling of mechanical and electromechanical equipment within the submarine's ballast tanks required Savitzky’s expertise as a certified second-class Navy diver. Coordination with George and Braman ensured successful execution of the plans.</p>

<p>Nick Savage, head of the Handling Systems Engineering Branch, praised the high standards and teamwork demonstrated by the engineers, emphasizing their reputation as a last line of defense in resolving complex issues.</p>

"This is a completely advertising post."