Surface Combatant HM&E

The Surface Combatant Hull, Mechanical & Electrical (HM&E) program is designed to enhance the operational readiness and sustainability of the Navy's in-service surface combatants. This initiative focuses on aligning and identifying requirements for shipboard upgrades and equipment, particularly for Class Common Equipment (CCE), to support shorter overhaul periods. It aims to address long repair turnaround times for ship system components, refresh Machinery Control Systems (MCS), and procure and install Ship Control Systems (SCS) to maintain fleet supportability.

A key objective of the Surface Combatant HM&E program is to mitigate the impacts of Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS). This involves refreshing Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) equipment through solutions such as reverse engineering, bridge-buys, and modernization efforts. These measures ensure that in-service ships remain operationally sustainable throughout their lifecycle, addressing DMSMS issues both within standard Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) availabilities and during Continuous Maintenance Availability (CMAV).

The program also emphasizes energy efficiency through Maritime Energy Initiatives. These initiatives aim to reduce energy usage on surface combatants by improving hull hydrodynamics, power generation systems, and combat support services. Additionally, decision aids are being developed to provide sailors with actionable information to enhance operational efficiency. The Shipboard Energy Dashboard FLT IIA technology provides real-time situational awareness of energy demand, promoting a culture change towards energy conservation.

Furthermore, the program includes efforts like the Hybrid Electric Drive initiative, which received congressional support to enhance propulsion efficiency. The Bridge Integration - Ship Control Systems (BI-SCS) project addresses recommendations from comprehensive reviews by implementing enhancements such as physical throttles and night vision capabilities on DDG-51 class ships. These projects collectively aim to improve the overall performance and capability of the Navy's surface combatant fleet while ensuring timely deployments and readiness for potential battle damage scenarios.