Platforms for MK 59 Decoy Installed aboard USS Ramage

Members of a fly-away team from Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) successfully completed a first-time installation of critical decoy system components aboard USS Ramage (DDG 61), in Souda Bay, Greece, Dec. 5.

The team installed platforms for the MK 59 decoy system as a part of the chief of naval operations Speed-to-Fleet initiative. The MK 59 decoy is a rapid response system capable of providing highly effective defense for ships against modern anti-ship missiles and other threats.

“This was the first time these systems have ever been installed on a ship,” said Project Superintendent Larry Blevins.

The Speed-to-Fleet initiative accelerates insertion of maturing technologies to address critical U.S. Navy needs. Meeting this initiative presented a number of challenges including acquiring engineering documents, working in foul weather and an extended logistics train. The NNSY team was able to complete the work in four weeks while moored to a bare pier after initial installation estimates were 8-10 weeks in an industrial activity.

Ramage is on a scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility.

NNSY, a Naval Sea Systems Command field activity, is the oldest industrial facility belonging to the U.S. Navy, and specializes in repairing, overhauling and modernizing ships and submarines.

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Press Release, December 16, 2013; Image: Wikimedia