The
theater commander saw the immediate benefit of this chat-room
access. Based on its success, the Submarine Tomahawk Action
Board took the initiative and assigned NUWC to develop a chat
capability for all deployed platforms in theater.
In response
to a Type Commander (TYCOM) request for contingency planning
for Operation Iraqi Freedom, NUWC implemented 24/7 chat capability
over the SIPRNet with COMFIFTHFLT, COMSIXTHFLT, COMSUBLANT
and COMSUBPAC. This capability was stood up in February 2003,
and it is supported by all NUWC technical codes. The primary
objective is to respond rapidly to any Tomahawk strike-capability
issues on deployed platforms, while still allowing Fleet and
TYCOM oversight.
Although
bandwidth-limited, this communication channel provides two-way,
real-time text communications with deployed platforms to assist
in strike planning, exercises, and missions. It also reaches
shore mission-planning activities and battle groups.
Since
implementing 24/7 chat capability, NUWC has monitored and
responded to emerging issues affecting combat systems, communications,
launchers, and the Tomahawk AUR. NUWC, with support from other
Navy organizations, has participated in over 30 separate chat
sessions with eight forward-deployed platforms to resolve
mechanical, electronic, and mission-planning problems with
onboard missile systems. Using chat in the early stages allowed
the boats to be groomed while on station and provided an easily
accessible means of talking through problems.
NUWC’s
chat capability was also used in three Babylon Express fleet
exercises, to provide 24/7 technical support and e-mail to
nine boats. Full operational manning by NUWC subsystem experts
supported the exercises in working both real and simulated
problems, while allowing NUWC, TYCOMS, Theater Commanders,
and platforms to train in using the capability and to exchange
guidance prior to the conflict.
COMSUBLANT
later requested that NUWC implement full 24/7 manning by all
subsystem experts to support strike tasking for Operation
Iraqi Freedom. NUWC subsequently offered engineering expertise
on-line to assist deployed platforms in resolving strike capability
issues rapidly. The Newport Division provided technical concurrence
for onboard troubleshooting, reinforced procedural guidance,
and by resolving technical issues, allowed at least six Tomahawk
AURs to be placed back in ready status for strike use. As
of April 4, 2003, NUWC had documented over 45 chat sessions
with deployed platforms in the Area of Responsibility (AOR).
In addition
to direct chat support, the Division’s Submarine Status
website at the Advanced Interactive Management Technology
Center (AIMTC), http://aimtc. nuwcnpt.navy.smil.mil, was upgraded
to support data retention of these chat-room support activities.
Tomahawk Inventory Reports (TIRs), Indigo Firing Reports (IFRs),
Casualty Reports, and related GENADMIN messages received by
the NUWC DMS Message Center are automatically processed, entered
into an AIMTC database, and displayed in a Tomahawk Scorecard
that reports aggregate sums and individual status of all the
Tomahawks onboard, launched, or failed, with dynamic links
to retrieve history data for each missile and the IFRs. In
addition to the scorecard, a chat-logger service continuously
monitors and records the ongoing chat conversations, which
can be accessed and searched from the Submarine Status website.
Chat Summary Reports are submitted online following each session
of NUWC technical support and can be searched by platform,
ship class, or keyword from within the Submarine Status website
as well. Any additional supporting material in a file format
can be uploaded to the Submarine Status website to maximize
data collection and retention.
Fleet
feedback on the chat capability has been tremendous. The following
comment from COMSUBLANT Strike is one of many positive reactions:
“Overall, the support pro- vided by NUWC in chat was
outstanding. [It] not only solved problems but helped the
crews better understand various casualties and information
provided by the Fire Control System (FCS). The overall effect
was a number of missiles that were either returned to operational
status and shot or verified to be out of commission. Either
case helped the Tomahawk Strike Coord-inator (TSC) plan for
future operations.”
NUWC continues
to provide the operational Fleet with timely, dynamic support
and ready access to its in-house expertise. Newport Division’s
success in providing chat capability resulted from teamwork
across the entire organization and is a source of great pride
for all. Since the first phone call in October 2001, the NUWC
team has provided outstanding support to Fleet operators by
putting them only a chat away from the confidence they need
to carry out their mission.
Robert
Iriye is a Combat Control System (CCS) In-Service Engineering
(ISE) Project Engineer, NUWC Division Newport |
