The Navy performed the demonstration to supply proof of idea {that a} dry cargo ammunition ship can reload the weapons system pier-side and whereas the ship is at sea, with a objective of increasing the aptitude of VLS reloading in expeditionary environments.
“The Navy has been contemplating different vessels to maneuver ordnance right into a theater with out an on-shore infrastructure to help,” in response to Jerit Vanauker, of MSC’s Taluga Group. “One of many conditions thought-about was the flexibility to re-arm VLS for Navy combatant ships in a contested atmosphere, and so we thought-about the thought to make use of an MSC dry cargo ammunition ship.”
Along with the crews of Porter and William McLean, U.S. 2nd Fleet, Navy Expeditionary Fight Command’s (NECC) Navy Expeditionary Logistics Help Group (NAVELSG), the Carderock Division of the Naval Floor Warfare Middle (NSWC) and NSWC Picatinny supported the VLS re-arming. NECC’s expeditionary reload staff from NAVELSG are expertly skilled in ordnance switch and dealing with and might function in distant, advanced, and austere environments to make sure naval forces stay ahead and cell.
“MSC’s function in creating and executing VLS is significant,” Vanauker said. “We’ll convey the ordnance, and platform to ship ordnance, in help of VLS re-arming of our combatant ships, to allow them to get again within the struggle with out touring lengthy distances to be resupplied.”
In the course of the demonstration, Porter pulled into the naval station and moored ‘skin-to-skin’ along-side William McLean, which was moored to the pier. The ships’ crews put in marine bumpers between the vessels to forestall harm to the ships through the VLS re-arm.
As soon as the ships had been safely moored, the VLS staff aboard William McLean ready two simulated ordnance packages for supply.
“The VLS dealing with staff ready and reviewed the mandatory procedures, ordnance dealing with gear (OHE) and instruments to conduct the VLS re-arm,” mentioned Vanauker. “All procedures had been reviewed, OHE and instruments had been inspected and a security temporary was performed.”
“As soon as inspection was full, the canister was loaded into the tilt-fixture and vertical strong-back, secured after which hooked up to the crane hook,” he continued. “The lean-fixture and vertical strong-back permits the canister to be tilted right into a vertical place with help from the ship’s crane.”
Utilizing the Mclean’s crane, two simulated missiles had been lifted from the ship’s flight deck and swung over to Porter’s ahead weapons cells. Porter’s VLS staff obtained the simulated ordnance and stowed the missiles aboard within the ship’s MK 41 Vertical Launch System.
“The crane operator, with help from the Signalman, swung the simulated ordnance over to Porter, putting it over the open module cell hatch, and lowered into alignment with the out there cell,” Vanauker continued. “In all, performing a VLS re-arm is a quite simple evolution which requires persistence and focus.”
The crane for the VLS re-arm demonstration was operated by Boatswain’s Mate Justin Bradley, one in every of William McLean’s Civil Service Mariners (CIVMARs).
“This was the primary VLS re-arm to happen aboard William McLean,” in response to Capt. John Stulz, USNS William McLean’s Grasp. “Our CIVMARs secured the USS Porter alongside, operated the crane and offered help on deck for this evolution. Cargo and ordnance operations are part of every day life for MSC ships.”
“The crew of the William McLean carried out with precision and professionalism throughout this motion, similar to our counterparts do daily across the globe,” Stulz added.
The VLS re-arm demonstration was performed as a part of U.S. Fleet Forces’ Massive Scale Train 2023 (LSE).
“Expeditionary logistics enable the Navy to rapidly return to sustaining maritime dominance,” mentioned Rear Adm. Brad Andros, Commander, Navy Expeditionary Fight Command. “Working in help of Army Sealift Command throughout Massive Scale Train 2023 gives our expeditionary reload groups the chance to coach to totally different platforms in order that they’ll proceed to maintain capability and improve the persistent fight energy of naval forces.”
LSE 2023 offered a venue to check and refine present and new applied sciences and platforms to strengthen our present place as a supreme maritime pressure and supply suggestions used to tell future innovation. LSE 2023 contains six Navy and Marine Corps element instructions and 7 U.S. numbered Fleets, together with U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. tenth Fleet, working seamlessly throughout 22 time zones.
