USA: Navy, Coast Guard Forge Partnership

The Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Corona entered into a partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, June 21, to provide performance assessment capability to the Coast Guard’s advanced National Security Cutter (NSC)class through combat systems ship qualification trials (CSSQT).

“This agreement establishes Corona and C4ISR Moorestown as the Coast Guard command and control performance analysis agents for NSC,” said Ahmedur Majumder, Coast Guard Acquisition Directorate NSC execution manager. “This minimizes costs and allows us to support data extraction and analysis for these important exercises now and into the future.”

CSSQTs are performed to verify shipboard combat and weapon systems are installed properly and can be operated and maintained safely and effectively by the crew. The trials also validate developmental testing and tactics for the ships and crews.

Majumder said prior to the agreement CSSQTs for the Coast Guard were a joint effort between that service and the Navy with contractors heavily relied upon. The new agreement defines Corona’s roles and responsibilities for performing data collection, data distribution, data management, system performance analysis and test reporting during all NSC test events.

“This partnership leverages existing capability within the Navy to support our sister maritime service,” said NSWC Corona Commanding Officer Capt. Jay Kadowaki. “It is an excellent example of the intellectual horsepower that can be harnessed for new tasking and helps execute our nation’s maritime strategy.”

As a Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) field activity, NSWC Corona operates under NAVSEA’s Technical Authority Warrant for force-level and combat systems assessment for all but the undersea warfare systems. Corona brings technical expertise and analysis methodologies – developed from decades of conducting performance assessment for the Navy – to Coast Guard CSSQTs.

According to Coast Guard’s acquisition directorate, as multiple maritime and military roles of the Coast Guard have grown in scope and significance since 9/11, the NSC’s capability requirements have evolved to respond.

The 418-foot, Legend-class NSC cutter is the flagship of the Coast Guard’s surface fleet, featuring 12,000-nautical-mile range, 60-day endurance cycle and robust command, control and defense systems.

In addition to maritime homeland security and law enforcement missions, NSCs will also support national defense missions, including supporting the mission requirements of the joint U.S. combatant commanders.

The Coast Guard commissioned the first NSC, USCGC Bertholf (WMSL 750), in 2008, and plans to build eight altogether. NSWC Port Hueneme, supported by sister division NSWC Corona, led the first Coast Guard CSSQT on Bertholf.

NSWC Corona is one of the Navy’s newest designated federal labs and serves as the service’s independent assessment agent. It is responsible for gauging the warfighting capability of weapons and integrated combat systems, through assessment of system performance, readiness, quality, and supportability, as well as the adequacy of training.

The base is home to three premier national laboratories and assessment centers: Joint Warfare Assessment Lab; Measurement Science and Technology Lab; and the Daugherty Memorial Assessment Center, dedicated to fallen Sailor Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 1st Class Steven P. Daugherty.
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Source: navy, June 24, 2011;