USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) Demonstrates New Underway Replenishment System

: Posted On Monday, 01 July 2013 09:27

Naval Defense Industry News - USA

USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) Demonstrates New Underway Replenishment System

Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Port Hueneme successfully completed the in-port and at-sea technical evaluation of the new underway replenishment (UNREP) system aboard USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), June 13.

The Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) sends a fuel line to the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) during a replenishment at sea.
(U.S. Navy file photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Parde/Released)

The new UNREP system - known as the Heavy Electric Standard Replenishment Alongside Method (E-STREAM) - transferred approximately 4,400 tons of test loads from Arctic to USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5) and USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12). Testing began May 27.

The new Heavy E-STREAM system is functionally and procedurally similar to the existing UNREP system, but it utilizes a modern electronic control system instead of hydraulics and active clutches that enhances controllability and increases reliability.

The new capabilities provided by the Heavy E-STREAM system will allow the Navy to transfer heavier loads at the speed of the current system and lighter loads at twice the speed as the current system. The ability to transfer heavier loads faster translates to fewer transfers and increased readiness for the fleet by decreasing UNREP times. The system was conceived to meet the UNREP requirements of the Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) class.

While at sea, the new system successfully transferred loads between the two ships more than 1,200 times. This is, on average, equivalent to uploading or downloading an aircraft carrier between four and six times.

The system operated as designed in various operational environments, including 100 transfer cycles at night and 365 transfer cycles in Tropical Storm Andrea, with loads that varied between 3,500 lbs. and 6,000 lbs.

"The system operated flawlessly during its first time at sea," said Richard Salo, the UNREP technical warrant holder for NAVSEA. "It's fast, stable, easy to operate and reliable, demonstrating that it met all of the requirements for heavy load transfers. The technology used for this system will benefit future underway replenishment systems and provides significant improvement opportunities for the existing systems in the fleet."

NSWC Port Hueneme Division is located at Naval Base Ventura County. The command provides test and evaluation, in-service engineering and integrated logistics support for U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard combat and weapons systems.

from : Mike McLachlan, NSWC Port Hueneme UNREP engineer