Ship Survivability

The Ship Survivability program, under Program Element (PE) 0604516N, is a new start for the Navy in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, focused on advancing research and development (R&D) solutions to enhance shipboard damage control and firefighting capabilities. The primary objective of this program is to address critical needs in shipboard fire detection, suppression, fire prevention, damage control, personnel protection, and the development of advanced firefighting equipment. The program is justified by the ongoing requirement to ensure the safety and survivability of Navy vessels and their crews, particularly in light of evolving operational environments and regulatory requirements regarding environmental safety.

A key component of the FY 2026 budget request is the INTEG FIRE PROTECTION/DAMAGE CONTROL project (Project 2054), which specifically targets the development of environmentally friendly and effective alternatives to legacy firefighting systems, with a focus on replacing Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) with non-fluorinated firefighting agents. The project also supports the engineering and analysis of onboard fire detection and suppression systems, as well as the integration of advanced fire prevention features and damage control technologies.

Within Project 2054, the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Communication Program is dedicated to evaluating and enhancing communication capabilities within the 3M Scott Safety face piece (3M Scott Vision) used by shipboard firefighting personnel. Improved communication systems are critical for effective coordination during emergency response and for ensuring the safety of firefighting teams operating in hazardous environments.

The AFFF Alternatives Program supports the research and development of non-fluorinated firefighting agents and the corresponding shipboard delivery systems and equipment. The goal is to identify and implement firefighting solutions that are both effective and compliant with environmental regulations, addressing concerns about the environmental impact of traditional AFFF, which contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Research and development activities under the AFFF Alternatives Program are distributed across several Navy research centers, including the Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD), the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, DC, and the Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake in California. These centers are tasked with developing, testing, and evaluating new firefighting agents and delivery systems to ensure they meet the operational requirements of Navy ships.

The Ship Survivability program is a non-acquisition initiative, focusing primarily on engineering and analysis rather than procurement. The work is performed by Navy Warfare Centers and government laboratories, with contractor support as needed. The program is structured to provide technical solutions that can be transitioned to acquisition programs or implemented directly on Navy vessels as part of broader ship survivability and safety initiatives.