Description
The Weapon System
The early Ticonderoga (CG47) class cruisers, built using the hull and
machinery designs of Spruance class destroyers, were the first ships to
deploy the Aegis combat system. The USS Bunker Hill (CG52) was the
first Aegis cruiser outfitted with the Vertical Launching System,
allowing greater missile selection, firepower and survivability.
The Aegis system was designed as a total weapon system from detection to
kill. The heart of the system is an advanced, automatic
detect-and-track, multi-function phased-array radar, the AN/SPY-1. This
high-powered radar is able to perform search, track and missile guidance
functions simultaneously with a track capacity of over 100 targets.
The improved AN/SPY-1B radar went to sea in USS Princeton (CG 59),
ushering in another advance in Aegis capabilities. USS Chosin (CG 65)
introduced the AN/UYK-43/44 computers, which provided enhanced
processing capabilities.
The R-TOC approach is the continuation and expansion of activities
started under the Smartship Project, begun in FY 96. The goal of the
Smartship Project was identification of technologies, policies, and
procedures that would significantly reduce crew workload and enhance
readiness. In addition, a number of other cost-reduction efforts have
been identified and initiated. Representatives of the Aegis cruisers
Pilot Program are participating in a "Smart Fleet Innovation Cell" which
is investigating and evaluating new technology initiatives across
multiple ship classes.
PEO Theater Surface Combatants (TSC) was given direction and the lead by the Smart Fleet Executive
Steering Council to reinstate the Smart Fleet Innovation Technology Cell
for the purpose of coordinating workload (and TOC reduction) efforts.
The Innovation Cell has been created and is focused toward collaboration
among the Fleet, other Navy Programs and activities. Its purpose is to
evaluate new workload reducing, TOC reduction beneficial, enabling technologies and/or processes for implementation, arrange for rapid prototyping at-sea demonstrations, and advocate the wider installation of successful technologies in Aegis cruisers and other ship construction or modification programs, including new destroyer construction, LPD-17, and destroyer and cruiser modernization programs. Oversight for the Aegis cruisers was recently reassigned to the new PEO (Ships), which expands the Smart Fleetıs scope to encompass all surface ships except carriers.
Production Status, Population, and Planned Life
USS Ticonderoga (CG 47) entered the fleet in 1983. USS Port Royal (CG 73), the last ship in the class, was commissioned in 1994. There is a total of 27 Aegis cruisers in the class. Ship's life span is 35 years.
Prime contractor: Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding, Bath Iron Works (builders); General Electric (power plant); Lockheed Martin (SPY-1 radar and combat system integrator).
Office of Primary Responsibility: PEO (Ships)
R-TOC Focus Areas: (From USD (AT&L) memorandum dated May 10, 1999)
- Reduced demand from weapon systems via reliability and maintainability improvements
- Integrated Ship Controls: installation-commercially available
technology innovations resulting in decreased workload
requirements - and increased capability to monitor and control the ship; this initiative - has been programmed for all 27 ships in the class.
- Advanced Food Service (AFS) is an RDT&E initiative aimed at streamlining food preparation and eliminating high-maintenance equipment; benefits include reduced manning, reduced TOC, improved food quality, reduced waste, and improved quality of service.
- The Wireless Sensors project will provide automated shipboard
data collection for logging and analysis, reducing Sailor
maintenance and operational workload.
- All Electric Conversion will replace maintenance-intensive
waste heat boilers and steam piping with electric equipment.
- Stern Flap installation is aimed at significantly reduced fuel consumption levels, which permits increased ship range and time between re-fuelings, increased top speeds, and reduced TOC.
- Reduced supply chain response times, leading to reduced spares, system support footprint, and depot needs
- Many of the Smartship technologies, including Integrated Ship Controls, Advanced Food Service, and All-Electric Conversion, involve reduced maintenance requirements, reduced demand for spares, and more efficient maintenance processes.
- Competitive sourcing of product support, leading to streamlining and overhead reductions
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