Items Less Than $5 Million

The Items Less Than $5 Million program, outlined in Navy budget line item 5543, is designed to procure and modernize generic ordnance support equipment that is not specific to any single weapon system. The primary goal is to ensure the continued operational effectiveness and safety of Navy weapons systems and ordnance including mines, missiles, ammunition, pyrotechnics, demolition devices, bombs, and torpedoes by providing engineering field activities with the necessary test and evaluation equipment. This equipment is crucial for assessing the effects of aging and environmental exposure throughout the in-service lifecycle of these systems, and is typically located at NAVSEA engineering field activities.

The program's objectives include replacing obsolete or economically non-repairable equipment, as well as acquiring new capabilities to support evolving evaluation techniques and processes. By focusing on generic equipment, the program aims to maximize utility across multiple weapons systems, thereby reducing overall costs and logistical burdens for the Navy. When weapon-specific equipment becomes available, these funds are used to adapt its capability for broader, multi-system support, further enhancing efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Within the Maintenance Support Activities subcategory, the program funds several initiatives. Quality Evaluation Technology & Equipment supports the procurement of advanced test and evaluation technologies to maintain high standards in ordnance quality and reliability. Additional funding is allocated for rolling stock, ordnance material handling equipment, locomotive replacement, and rail cars on behalf of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command, all of which are essential for the safe and efficient transport and handling of ordnance materials within Navy facilities.

The Mine Countermeasures Forces subcategory includes Fleet Mine Support Equipment, which provides mine countermeasure targets that physically and electronically emulate foreign mine threats for fleet training, exercises, and system validation. Instrumented mine countermeasure targets are programmable to simulate real-world mine behaviors, supporting mine sweeping and platform validation, while non-instrumented targets are used for mine hunting and neutralization training.

For Frigates - Missile and Patrol Combatants, the program supports the Griffin Missile System and its initial technical refresh. These funds ensure that missile systems on Navy frigates and patrol combatants remain current and effective, with technical upgrades that address obsolescence and enhance operational capabilities. The program also provides for other government-furnished equipment necessary for these platforms.

The Tomahawk and Tomahawk Missile Planning Center subcategory includes funding for industrial facilities, supporting the procurement of industrial equipment at the Government-Owned/Contractor-Operated Naval Industrial Reserve Ordnance Plant in Rocket Center, WV. This facility is critical for the production of tactical missile propulsion systems, fuzes, warheads, and precision projectiles, and the funding supports manufacturing efficiency, environmental compliance, safety, and major repairs.