Surface Support

The PE 0204228N: Surface Support program is a Navy Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) line item focused on advancing navigation and support systems for surface ships and submarines. The overarching goal of this program is to ensure mission-critical positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities for naval platforms, particularly in environments where GPS may be degraded or unavailable. The program supports the development, integration, and testing of advanced navigation systems, sensor technologies, and related support infrastructure to enhance operational effectiveness and survivability across the fleet.

Project 3311: Navigation Systems is the primary component of PE 0204228N and is dedicated to the research, design, development, and testing of the Inertial Navigation System (INS) AN/WSN-12. This system provides essential ship position and attitude data to onboard sensors, combat, and weapon systems. The INS integrates data from GPS for periodic updates but serves as the primary position source when GPS is unavailable. The system consists of an Inertial Sensor Module (ISM) and a Navigation Processing Module (NPM), which offer significant improvements in attitude and velocity data over previous generations. RDT&E funding under this project supports the creation of a baseline for Pre-Production Units, Low-Rate Initial Production, and Full Rate Production.

Military GPS User Equipment (MGUE) is another key objective within the Navigation Systems project. The MGUE initiative aims to provide assured PNT capabilities in GPS-degraded environments by developing interface and performance requirements, defining shipboard system architectures, and integrating MGUE technology into naval platforms. This ensures that Navy ships and submarines maintain reliable navigation and timing data even under contested or denied GPS conditions, supporting operational continuity and mission success.

Submarine Speed Sensors (SSS) are also addressed within PE 0204228N, with efforts focused on the investigation, development, testing, and integration of new speed sensors for submarines. The goal is to enhance own-ship speed measurement capabilities, reduce the risk of detection, and improve overall reliability. These advancements are intended to support new operational requirements and extend the tactical advantages of submarine platforms in various mission scenarios.

Automated Celestial Navigation System (ACNS) funding supports the research, development, engineering, documentation, and integration testing of celestial navigation solutions for the fleet. The ACNS project leverages Office of Naval Research (ONR) research to create a ruggedized, reproducible system that is fully integrated into the Navy's navigation suite. This capability is particularly important for maintaining navigation accuracy in GPS-denied environments, providing an alternative method for determining ship position using celestial bodies.

Project 9999: Congressional Adds includes targeted funding for composite improvements to the MK41 Vertical Launch System (VLS). The objective of this congressional add is to enhance the performance, durability, and reliability of the MK41 VLS through the application of advanced composite materials and engineering solutions. This effort supports the Navy's broader goals of increasing lethality, survivability, and operational readiness of its surface fleet.