NEW APPLICATIONS OF UNDERWATER SHIP HUSBANDRY (USH) TECHNOLOGIES TO SUBMARINES

The Underwater Ship Husbandry (USH) techniques and procedures currently in use by the Navy to provide Inspection/Repair/Maintenance (IRM) capabilities have greatly enhanced the readiness posture of the surface combatant and auxillary fleet. The utilization of fully engineered and documented procedures for performance of waterborne IRM activities represents a substantial cost savings in the life cycle management of surface vessels. Various commercial initiatives in USH may also provide techniques that can be applied to the submarine fleets as well. This Phase I study effort is proposed to build a database of existing NAVSEA approved USH procedures and related commercial procedures which meet the criteria to be established under this study for technology transfer to fit submarine requirements. The database developed will provide the basis for the analysis and decision portions of the study. This process leads to the evaluation and recommendation conclusion which will be the study results as presented in the final report. These recommendations will provide the necessary data required to continue the program into the Phase II effort.