Ship Contract Design/ Live Fire T&E

The PE 0604567N: Ship Contract Design/Live Fire Test & Evaluation (T&E) program is a key element of the Navy's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) budget, supporting the Navy's shipbuilding plan through engineering, programmatic, and acquisition documentation for new ship designs. The program's overarching goals are to develop technical and contractual ship design packages, facilitate efficient ship production, and ensure compliance with Congressional mandates for survivability testing. This program element is managed under Budget Activity 5: System Development & Demonstration, and includes two major projects: Ship Contract Design and LHA(R) Flight Design and Total Ship Integration.

The Ship Contract Design project focuses on the engineering development of ship design specifications and drawings, installation and test plans, and analysis products for modernization efforts, primarily supporting the DDG Modernization program. The objectives include providing a digital ship design knowledge base, developing performance-based criteria for ship specifications, and supporting the evolution of design methodologies and tools. This project also funds ship survivability studies, superstructure integrity analysis, developmental and operational testing, and system integration efforts. Agencies involved include various Naval Surface Warfare Centers (NSWC), SUPSHIP Bath, and industry partners such as Lockheed Martin and L-3 Maritime Systems.

For FY 2025 and FY 2026, the Ship Contract Design line item supports continued research and development for DDG-51 Flight IIA ship design, including structural reliability improvements and machinery control systems upgrades. It also funds the back-fit of advanced radar systems and lab upgrades for Hull, Mechanical, and Electrical (HM&E) systems. The program aims to optimize installation alternatives and modernize existing design processes, ensuring the Navy can effectively plan and execute ship alterations and upgrades within Depot Modernization Periods (DMPs).

The LHA(R) Flight Design and Total Ship Integration project is dedicated to the contract design, development, and testing of the Amphibious Assault Ship General Purpose Replacement Program. The primary goals are to replace aging amphibious assault ships, serve as key platforms for future Amphibious Readiness Groups, and ensure affordable, sustainable ship development. LHA(R) ships are designed for forward presence, power projection, and joint operations, capable of embarking and deploying Marine Landing Forces using landing craft, helicopters, tilt rotors, and supporting Joint Strike Fighters.

Specific objectives for FY 2025 and FY 2026 under the LHA(R) project include resolving operational assessment findings related to UHF and HFR NSA encryption compliance, conducting obsolescence research and systems engineering, and preparing for operational test campaigns focused on ship self-defense and air warfare. Additional efforts include the development of a Machinery Control System Land Based Test Facility, cyber security developmental testing, and ongoing Live Fire Test & Evaluation to validate survivability and operational effectiveness. Agencies involved in these activities include NSWC, NAVAIR, and Huntington Ingalls Industries.

Both projects under PE 0604567N utilize an Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) approach, involving multi-disciplinary teams from government, shipbuilders, system programs, and suppliers. This continuous engineering process ensures that design and integration efforts remain aligned with evolving requirements and commercial best practices. The acquisition strategy for these ship programs leverages fixed price incentive contracts, advanced procurement, and multi-ship procurement agreements to manage costs and schedule risks.