Facility records

Combatant Craft Department

West Bethesda, MD

The Combatant Craft Department (CCD) has performed full life-cycle and full-spectrum support for combatant craft and boats from its facilities located in the Hampton Roads area since 1967. With facilities near the largest and most varied inventory of DoD and boats and craft in the United States, CCD supports the U.S. Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Special Warfare/Special Operations, Air Force, Coast Guard, and other DoD and non-DoD activities including private industry.

Ship Virtual Prototyping Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

This facility provides the resources to merge the technologies and concepts of modeling and simulation, simulation based acquisition, integrated product and process development, and acquisition reform, in order to develop innovative ships with significantly reduced total ownership costs. Just as the Navy hosts leading edge PHYSICAL testing facilities, this Navy leading edge VIRTUAL testing/prototyping facility will allow Government and industry, designers and warfighters, to establish requirements, and conceive, build, test, fight, train, and cost multiple options before finalizing a design.

David Taylor Model Basin Building

West Bethesda, MD

These three Towing Basins are used for a wide variety of hydrodynamic tests including: resistance, self-propulsion, static stability in calm water, open water propeller characterizations, self-propelled model steering maneuvers, unsteady propeller blade force measurements, wake surveys, knot-meter calibrations under simulated dynamic conditions, vertical and horizontal planar motion experiments, hydrodynamic forces on submerged bodies, foils, etc., towed body experiments, and longitudinal wave cut experiments. The High Speed Basin is used to measure hydrodynamic forces on hydrofoils, planing boats, and other high speed craft operating in calm water and in waves. The water level in the Shallow Water Basin can be varied to simulate rivers, canals, and restricted channels.

Large Cavitation Channel (LCC)

West Bethesda, MD

The Large Cavitation Channel is a vertical plane, closed recirculating 1.4 million gallon, variable speed, variable pressure, channel with lower half submerged in 2.5 million gallon water filled trench, plus numerous other acoustic treatment features, 6:1 contraction ratio, aeration/deaeration system, filter system (5-micron), temperature control, stainless steel shell, models mounted on large removable test top, low turbulence (0.1%). High speed capability up to 50 ft/s. Large test chamber with 10 ft by 10 ft cross-section and a 13.1 m (43 ft) working length. Pressure in the LCC test section ranges from less than atmospheric to four times atmospheric pressure, the equivalent of water approximately 100 feet deep.

Maneuvering and Seakeeping Basin (MASK)

West Bethesda, MD

The Maneuvering and Seakeeping Basin is unique within the Navy, and is used to model the full scale motions of ships, platforms, and mooring systems in waves. In this facility, engineers evaluate the maneuverability, propulsion, dynamic stability, and control of surface ships and submarines in waves and smooth water at various headings. The MASK is used in measuring model motions, accelerations, control surface deflections, hull strains, and wake characteristics at a wide variety of simulated sea states through a radio-controlled surface and submarine model capability. The facility is also used for capsizing tests and slamming studies.

Rotating Arm Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The Rotating Arm Facility is used to measure hydrodynamic forces and moments and perform captive-model stability and control and propulsion experiments on surface ships, towed bodies, unmanned underwater vehicles, swimmer delivery vehicles, submarines, and torpedoes. Surface models up to 30 feet in length and submerged models up to about 22 feet can be tested in a controlled environment over a wide range of angles of attack and drift. Angular velocities can also be controlled. The forces and moments on the hull and appendages are required for accurate mathematical models. Commercial applications for this facility include maritime shipping industry and oceanographic engineering applications.

Advanced Technology Chamber (ATC)

Washington, DC

Subsonic Wind Tunnel

West Bethesda, MD

The 8- by 10-foot Subsonic Wind Tunnel located at the Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center was designed for maximum flexibility in mounting and testing a wide variety of models. The tunnel specializes in the support of naval ship technology, but it serves all branches of the U.S. Navy, the Department of Defense, other Government agencies, and industry in almost every type of experiment in which the mechanics of fluids are of interest. Studies include turbulence in the airwake behind ships; performance and stability of air, water, and surface vehicles; and the effects of wind on static structures.

Deep Submergence Pressure Tank Facility

West Bethesda, MD

This facility contains pressure tanks that are designed to provide the Navy and Maritime Industry with the capability to evaluate structures, components and systems in an environment that simulates as nearly as possible the ocean depths. These pressure tanks are some of the largest in the world for their size and pressure ratings. The spherical, 10 foot diameter, 10,000 psi tank is the only tank in the U.S. that is certified for explosives operations by NAVSEA for at-depth shock testing of models and components.

Explosives Test Pond

West Bethesda, MD

The explosives test pond was designed for use in conducting underwater explosive (UNDEX) shock testing of ship and submarine models and components. It is the only explosives-rated pond in the U.S. with the capability of providing high-speed underwater photography of UNDEX model response. Explosives of up to 3 pounds can be used in the Pond. Personnel with the necessary expertise are available to safely and efficiently conduct UNDEX experiments in this controlled and environmentally safe location.

Large Scale Grillage Test Facility

West Bethesda, MD

This facility is capable of exerting up to 5,000,000 pounds of axial in-plane load (tension or compression) and up to 25 psi uniform lateral pressure onto a large/full-scale orthogonally stiffened plate. The facility is capable of testing grillage structures with dimensions of up to 8 ft wide and 24 ft long.

Ship Materials Technology Center

West Bethesda, MD

The Carderock Ship Materials Technology Center (SMTC) is a world-class complex having a pivotal role in advancing the use of advanced materials and processes in the Navy fleet of the 21st century. The SMTC encompasses capabilities for developing advanced materials, engineering mechanics, chemical formulation, testing and characterization of metallic and non-metallic materials, and the prototype production and testing of materials and ship systems and components. The laboratory functional capabilities include:

Advanced Ceramics Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

The Advanced Ceramics Laboratory is a comprehensive ceramics synthesis, processing, and characterization laboratory. Ceramics processing capabilities include traditional powder preparation and shape-forming equipment, as well as isopressing, injection molding, hot pressing, and slip casting. Advanced techniques include hot-isostatic pressing and a chemical vapor deposition. Heat treatment and oxidation equipment includes 1,700 degrees C air furnaces and graphite or carbon-element 3,000 degrees C inert-atmosphere/vacuum furnaces.

Biotechnology Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Biotechnology Laboratories provide expertise and facilities for studies in environmental microbiology, molecular biology, biosensors, and materials-microbe interactions. It includes equipment and capabilities in microscopy (transmitted and reflected light, epifluorescence, autoscan, photomicroscopy), protein/enzyme purification and characterization, protein patterning, genetic analysis, gas and liquid chromatography, microbial characterization and identification, image analysis, biodegradation & biodeterioration analysis, and microbiological monitoring.

Dosimetry Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Dosimetry Laboratories are dedicated to all aspects of the Navy’s personnel dosimetry program. A gamma radiation range provides calibration and quality assurance to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the system. Gamma, beta, and x-ray radiation as well as mono-energetic neutrons produced from a 3MeV tandem positive ion accelerator are available for dosimeter calibration. Complementary laboratories are used to investigate the fundamental optical properties of materials for potential use in dosimetry as well as development, testing, and evaluation of prototype dosimetry badges and their accompanying electronics.

Electrochemical/Battery Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Electrochemical/Battery Laboratories include chemistry labs for the study of basic materials and processes in electrochemical cells; a controlled atmosphere dry room for work with moisture sensitive materials; a thermal analysis laboratory; and special facilities for the evaluation of batteries under normal and abusive conditions such as discharge, charge, short circuit, high and low temperature, etc.

IR Systems

West Bethesda, MD

IR Systems consist of two portable, calibrated infrared measurement systems that nominally operable in the 3-5 and 8-12 micron bands. Each lens system is capable of operating either land-based and ship or helicopter mounted for rapid collection of test data. The systems are typically used to make IR measurements of ships, craft and wakes

Environmental Protection Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Environmental Protection Laboratories are used for investigation of processes, operations, and systems designed to abate shipboard-generated liquid, solid, and gaseous discharges; allowing the development and evaluation of pilot-plant size discharge processing, full-scale waste treatment, solid and plastics waste disposal, and thermal destruction hardware and systems; and for hazardous materials reduction and pollution prevention.

Fatigue and Fracture Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Fatigue and Fracture Laboratories are an extensive facility for characterization of low-temperature fracture, dynamic fracture, low-cycle and high-cycle fatigue and fatigue crack growth properties. It consists of five major areas of equipment and instrumentation: computer-interactive servo-hydraulic fracture and fatigue test systems; high load, variable-stiffness computer-interactive fracture test systems; dynamic fracture servo-hydraulic test systems; dynamic fracture impact towers; and thick weldment low-cycle fatigue test systems.

Fire Tolerant Materials Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Fire Tolerant Materials Laboratories have the capability to assess shipboard fire safety performance with small-scale tests for candidate shipboard materials for such properties as flame spread, smoke generation, heat release, and products of combustion; includes NIST and Factory Mutual calorimeters and analytic equipment.

Magnetic Materials Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

The Magnetic Materials Laboratory has a variety of instruments to measure magnetic properties, e.g., magnetostriction and magnetization as a function of magnetic field with forces as high as 100,000 pounds applied. A vibrating sample magnetometer can measure magnetization from cryogenic temperatures to above room temperature.

Marine Coatings Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Marine Coatings Laboratories are an extensive facility consisting of a paint formulation and application lab, a paint test and evaluation lab, and a biosurface analytical lab; capable of formulating and manufacturing paints, coatings and adhesives, and analyzing and evaluating these materials for input into design guidance, specifications, and manuals.

Marine Corrosion Control and Evaluation Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Marine Corrosion Control and Evaluation Laboratories consist of the aqueous corrosion and electrochemical labs; environmentally assisted cracking lab; marine corrosion analysis lab; low-velocity burner rig lab; and a small-scale high-temperature lab. They provide the capability of testing materials in a simulated gas turbine environment, conducting corrosion research, metallurgy failure analysis, and electrochemical testing of Navy seaborne materials.

Marine Organic Composites Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Marine Organic Composites Laboratories are dedicated to all aspects of composites from basic research into the components of their manufacture, their physical and mechanical properties, and prototype construction and evaluation. This includes: a large prototype production and test area; filament winder (control system capability with six-degrees of freedom to wind complex parts); autoclave (capable of processing parts up to 3 feet by 6 feet at temperatures up to 950 degrees F and pressures of 200 psi); and polymer synthesis labs.

Materials Characterization and Analysis Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

The Materials Characterization and Analysis Laboratory consists of advanced instrumental analysis techniques including metallography and optical microscopy, image analysis, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction, and energy dispersive x-ray analysis.

Metal Spray Forming Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

NSWCCD is the only government activity with the Osprey process capability. It has a 200-pound melt capacity, a deposition rate of ferrous and non-ferrous metal alloys on the order of 100 to 400 lbs. per minute, sensors to provide real-time information on critical properties for intelligent processing, and manipulators for multi-axial motion to make nonsymmetric components and geometries.

Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Nondestructive Evaluation (NDE) Laboratories are used to conduct NDE of Navy materials with the following capabilities: radiography lab (400-kV x-ray machine) and dark room; ultrasonics and electromagnetics lab; laser optics lab; and penetrant testing and magnetic particle test lab.

Crystallization Formulation Lab

Picatinny Arsenal, NJ

Currently the 4-story facility, designed to easily reconfigure existing and/or add new equipment, is equipped with 2 temperature controlled, highly instrumented, interchangeable 50 gallon reactor vessels, high capacity heaters and chillers, 2 high precision liquid feeders, and a solvent recovery system, all of which are PLC controlled through a control system with model based control (MBC) precision recipe control and data acquisition.

Signature Materials Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

Signature Materials Laboratories provide the prototype production capability for experimental shipsets of target-strength reduction materials; measurement of both reflected and radiated signatures in the acoustic, infrared, ultraviolet, visible, and microwave regions. The materials evaluation capability includes: large acoustic pulse tubes capable of submarine depth simulation; a unique bi-directional infrared spectral emittance measurement system; and a lab containing a laser coordinate-axis, ultra-precision dimensional metrology machine.

Welding Process and Consumable Development Laboratories

West Bethesda, MD

The Welding Process and Consumable Development Laboratories are a complete welding capability consisting of an Arc Welding laboratory (welding process development; weld simulation; weldability evaluation; and welding sensors and robotics); and a Welding Consumable Development laboratory (electrode production and wire fabrication prototype; flux evaluation; and moisture evaluation).

Shock Trials Instrumentation

West Bethesda, MD

Data recording systems specifically designed for installation on board ship for collecting data during a shock trial. Each unit is a 40-foot long by 10 foot wide by 10 foot high, shock isolated and EMI shielded container. Each unit can be transported to the recording site by dedicated trailer, installed on the ship under going test and provide data collection and analyses for the shock trial. This instrumentation capability is internationally known to be second to none. This capability is used extensively by NAVSEA under a special MOU between SEA 03 and NSWCCD.

Structural Dynamics Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

This facility consists of four uniaxial servo-hydraulic cyclic test machines, a small free form fatigue test fixture, and a lightweight shock machine. The four cyclic test machines have maximum ranges of 110,000; 220,000; 550,000 and 1,000,000 pounds. Each machine has hydraulic grips, allowing for fully reversed cyclic loads. Maximum specimen size is roughly 2 foot wide by 8 foot tall. Each test machine is individually computer controlled and can perform static, constant amplitude cyclic tests as well as random variable spectrum loadings.

Fleet Information Systems Security Technology Lab

Washington, DC

Structural Evaluation Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

The facility includes a strong floor 40 feet by 100 feet by 7 feet thick of heavily reinforced concrete, with tie downs located on five foot centers. Each tie down is rated at 250,000 pounds. Loads are applied to the test structure through hydraulic actuators using up to eight 50-gpm pumps as part of two independent 3500 psi hydraulic pumping systems.

UNDEX Test Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The UNDEX Test Facility (UTF) is located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Aberdeen, Maryland. The UTF is composed of two ponds used by the Navy to conduct underwater explosion tests. The Briar Point Test Pond is a shallow depth pond used primarily for conducting underwater explosion shock qualification tests of mission critical surface ship and submarine components. The larger Underwater Explosion Test Pond was designed to conduct land-based testing of full-scale submersible shock test vehicles. Concerns related to minimizing environmental effects at previously used protected water sites prompted the Navy to sponsor development of the Aberdeen UTF facility. Explosive charge weights of 350# HBX-1 can be used at Briar Point, and 3500# HBX-1 can be used at the Underwater Explosion Test Pond.

Acoustic Research Detachment

West Bethesda, MD

The Acoustic Research Detachment (ARD), Bayview, Idaho, on Lake Pend Oreille, is used for research and design validation using quarter-scale models of methodologies to reduce acoustic signatures on ships. Lake Pend Oreille is a large, deep, and extremely quiet body of water, ideal for acoustic testing. ARD encompasses the Large Scale Vehicle, a quarter-scale fully-autonomous submarine, used for propulsor research and submarine maneuvering studies; the Intermediate Scale Measurement System (ISMS) used to conduct research in acoustic radiation and target strength of submarines; the flow-noise haul-down facility used to conduct research on the impact of fluid flow over and about submarine hulls; and, a facility to test the high speed flow induced noise of towed arrays.

Anechoic Flow Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The facility has two areas in which measurements can be made: a nine foot long closed jet test section of eight feet square cross section, and a 21 foot long open-jet test section surrounded by an anechoic chamber of 21 foot square cross section. The maximum air speed in the facility is 200 feet per second. Noise generated at full speed is less than that of conversational speech. Models up to 20 feet may be mounted in the facility. Commercial uses for this facility include the automobile and aircraft industries as well as environmental applications.

Fox Island Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

The laboratory provides a unique, shallow water, protected marine environment well-suited for support of research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E) projects for the Navy's Deep Submergence Program. This support includes conducting ocean engineering experiments, operational evaluation of naval vehicles and equipment, and training in the use of equipment. The laboratory also supports RDT&E projects involving: surface and subsurface navigation and tracking systems, remote underwater vehicle performance, specialized underwater tools; and operations and logistics support for fleet training and exercises.

Radar Imaging Modeling System (RIMS)

West Bethesda, MD

The Radar Imaging Modeling System (RIMS) is a mobile, coherent, step chirp instrumentation radar system capable of making calibrated radar cross section measurements in the S, X, and Ku bands at both horizontal and vertical polarizations. The system is housed in a van that can be moved to any location. The system is reconfigurable with a comprehensive collection of antennas that can be used for large combatants, small craft and small experimental models.

Research Vessel Lauren

West Bethesda, MD

The Research Vessel Lauren is a converted WWII PT craft that simulates a full-scale combatant. It is reconfigurable and can be used to test shaping and materials concepts for RCS and IR signature reduction prior to committing to full-scale installation.

Southeast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The Southeast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility (SEAFAC) is the Navy’s only West Coast asset for making high fidelity passive acoustic signature measurements. SEAFAC includes directive line arrays, data collection and processing systems for real-time data analysis and signature evaluation.

South Florida Testing Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The South Florida Testing Facility is a fully instrumented test range that encompasses a Shallow Water Acoustic Range; a Shallow and Intermediate Depth Electromagnetic Range; a Forward Area Combined Degaussing and Acoustic Range; and an area with deep and shallow mine fields. The area has extensive current and temperature measurement probes that allow full environmental definition. The facility supports submarines, surface ships, the mine community and oceanographic research

USNS HAYES

West Bethesda, MD

The USNS HAYES is the Navy’s sole East Coast asset for making high fidelity passive and active acoustic signature measurements on submarines. HAYES includes high gain measurement arrays, data collection and processing systems for real-time data analysis and signature evaluation. HAYES is equipped with the Navy’s only certified Target Strength measurement system and a towed array that can be used for long time data collection of submarine emanating noise sources.

Advanced Electrical Machinery Systems Facility

West Bethesda, MD

This facility supports concept development and evaluation of advanced high current density low noise electrical machines - conventional, permanent magnet, and superconducting - for naval applications. Included are laboratories for the research, design, rapid prototyping, experimental development, analysis and testing of electric propulsion systems up to 7 megawatts; advanced fiber brushes; cryogenic refrigeration systems; liquid conductive cooling equipment; superconducting materials and magnets; and high-current switchgear, fabrication technology, and high-power electronics. Laboratory space is also provided for the collection and analysis of electrical machinery thermal performance, and for the analysis of electric machinery structural dynamics.

Advanced Shipboard Machinery Development Facility

West Bethesda, MD

This facility is dedicated to the test and evaluation of reduced scale and full scale advanced naval propulsion and auxiliary systems, equipment, and enabling technologies. It comprises laboratories for the development, rapid prototyping, and demonstration of: advanced turbomachinery, refrigeration and ventilation systems including collective protection systems, shipboard hydraulics systems and equipment, seals and bearings, composite machinery, submarine shaftline components, and small diesel engines. It also houses a test area to conduct cyclic displacement and pressure fatigue tests of piping and piping components.

Electrical Power Technology Facility

West Bethesda, MD

This laboratory supports the development of advanced shipboard machinery control and electric power distribution and solid state conversion technology. It contains multiple sources of electrical power (single or three phase voltages under 600 volts, variable frequency from 60 to 400 Hz, and direct current up to 900 volts) to simulate and test various ship system conditions for solving fleet problems with new equipment or technology. Among the diverse uses of the laboratory are: development of advanced power generation and distribution components; system performance assessment; computer simulation of large machinery systems and development of control algorithms; development of advanced sensors and instrumentation; development of advanced power conversion topologies and advanced semiconductor device application up to several hundred kilowatts; development of submarine power-conditioning equipment for improved power quality and reduced submarine radiated noise; development of high power and pulsed power distribution systems and components; and development of innovative electrical distribution system or component designs for reduced noise. This facility is also used to assess advanced technical capabilities for meeting future Navy weapon system needs.

Fuel Cell Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

This laboratory is devoted to the test and evaluation of fuel cell power plants for naval surface and undersea applications. It consists of a 900 square foot NFPA Class 1 Division 1 Group B hazardous-atmosphere rated test chamber, with an adjacent assembly/checkout laboratory and a test control room. The laboratory is designed for testing up to 2.5 megawatts of power generated from fuel cells and for interconnection with nearby electrical or mechanical laboratories to form an integrated system. Additional supporting facilities include 2000 square foot outside storage, NFPA Class C hazardous-atmosphere rated fume hoods, and reactant gas storage facilities. Dedicated computer-controlled instrumentation, including a gas chromatograph and on-line gas analyzers, and video recording equipment are available for testing fuel cells and fuel-reforming hardware.

HM&E; Systems Live Fire Test Facility

West Bethesda, MD

This facility, located at the Aberdeen Test Center, is designed for the testing of energized HM&E systems subject to live ordnance effects. The facility includes a main test building and a data acquisition and control bunker. It is currently used to support the research, demonstration and evaluation of piping, communication, and electric power systems designed for improved survivability, fight-through and reduced manning.

Mobile IR Test Facilities

Point Mugu, CA

We enjoy close working relationships with the test ranges at Point Mugu and China Lake, as well as the Foreign Military Exploitation (FME) community.

Machinery Acoustic Silencing Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

This laboratory consists of three large anechoic/quiet rooms with isolated floors containing facilities for the measurement and characterization of low-level airborne, fluidborne, and structureborne generated noise of full-scale shipboard machinery. The large scale machinery anechoic chamber has a 3900 square foot test area and a 50 foot high ceiling; floor loading is 700 pounds per square foot. The total test area of three rooms exceeds 14,000 square feet. Programs to develop quiet machinery technology and prototype hardware for all classes of submarine and surface ships are supported by this laboratory. Research and development is conducted for quiet pumps, fans, ventilation and fluid systems, valves, mounts, electric motors and generators, and other machinery components and systems.

Machinery Automation and Controls Facility

West Bethesda, MD

This facility comprises laboratories for the concept development, modeling and prototyping, computer simulation and evaluation of automated chilled water systems for the purpose of reduced manning; and for the demonstration of autonomic operation and reconfiguration of surface combatant auxiliary air systems. It also includes a laboratory for the development, testing and evaluation of advanced sensors (conventional, fiber optic, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), and ultrasound), control and electronics hardware and software.

Magnetic Fields Laboratory

West Bethesda, MD

This laboratory is used to develop and analyze algorithms, procedures, and processes to reduce the vulnerability of US Navy surface ships and submarines to electromagnetically actuated ordnance and detection systems. Separate facilities allow for the testing of scaled physical magnetic models of ships and submarines up to 12 feet long and weighing 500 lbs. as well as full-size on-board electrical machinery as large as 20 x 10 x 10 feet and weighing 40 LT. These facilities are capable of producing very uniform background magnetic fields that can replicate the magnetic environment for anywhere on Earth and space using magnetic field feedback stabilization systems. The laboratory includes a three axis coil capable of deperming the electrical machinery. Deperming fields of 50 Oersted in the longitudinal direction and 20 Oersted in the transverse and vertical directions can be generated. The laboratory has been used by other agencies to magnetically test guided missiles and satellites.

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Test Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Test Facility supports Surface and Undersea Vehicle Auxiliary Systems and Components T&E;, Acquisition, ISE, Environmental and Logistics. Materials and Processing RDT&E; for surface and submarine ship classes. Materials and components investigated at these facilities include: alternative CFC’s, air conditioning and refrigeration, ventilation, oxygen generation and air purification systems for surface ship and submarines.

Gas Turbine Development Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The Gas Turbine Development Facility consists of the DDG-51 LBES and Intercooled Recuperated (ICR) Gas Turbine Facility. Prominent in usage is the DDG-51 LBES since the ICR site is planned (completed awaiting testing) for the Navy’s future marine gas turbine development. The DDG-51 site consists of two GE LM-2500 marine gas turbines and associated auxiliary equipment configured as engine room #2 in the AEGIS Arleigh Burke Destroyer Class. This site became operational in 1989 and is used in a variety of components and system oriented tests that include integration testing of propulsion machinery (reduction gears, lube oil systems, air systems, water systems) as well as machinery control and data acquisition and information systems.

Boiler Components Test Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The Boiler Components Test Facility supports surface machinery propulsion auxiliary machinery system and component RDT&E; and In Service Engineering for numerous ship classes. Typical components and/or tests performed include: combustion optimizers for fuel efficiency, gas analysis systems for environmental compliance considerations, smoke indicator systems, burner systems, control systems, fuel oil control valves, strainers, fuel oil pumps, boiler water level indicating systems and newly designed boiler refractory.

Cargo/Weapons Elevator Land Based Engineering Site

West Bethesda, MD

The Cargo and Weapons Facility consists of a suite of full scale and component test facilities contiguously located in building 77H. The site was constructed in 1987 to address and solve the technical problems encountered from the diverse population of these systems in the Fleet (i.e., over 600 different types of elevators, 21 different capacities, 250 different designs and 64 different manufacturers). It includes: a full scale, 6 story Cargo/Weapons Elevator Land Based Engineering Site, a vertical package conveyor test site having three shipboard type conveyors, temperature and humidity controlled machinery, electrical control and power unit rooms and modular layout to facilitate shipboard configuration and other testing that is cost prohibitive at sea.

Compressed Air System Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The Compressed Air System Facility is a one-of-the-art test facility capable of conducting full-scale system and component testing. Systems tested include high-pressure air systems, low pressure vital and non-vital air systems, electronics dry air systems, submarine ballast blow air systems and Electronic Cooling Water Systems. Component testing includes high and low pressure air compressors, reducing valves, dehydrators, moisture monitors, air control panels for radar wave guides, chill water system refrigerant controllers, chill water heat exchangers for demineralizer systems, duplex strainers, flow switches, and temperature regulating valves.

Data Collection and Calibration Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The Data Collection and Calibration Facility consists of the Test Operations Analysis and Control Center (TOACC) and the Calibration Laboratory. The TOACC supports the acquisition and reduction for all testing at this site. This facility consists of independent, computer-controlled data acquisition and analysis systems, which are responsible for the monitoring and interpretation of data from tests located throughout the Philadelphia location. The Calibration Laboratory provides the Fleet with efficient, affordable machinery health monitoring, cost effective predictive maintenance and maximum system readiness and operation and qualified enlisted personnel through on-site training.

Diesel Engine Development Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The Diesel Engine Development Facility includes three major sites: the Diesel Engine Test Facility (DETF), the LSD-41/49 Propulsion Support Facility; and the FFG-7 Ship Service Diesel Generator (SSDG) Land Based Engineering Site. The DETF is designed to test two diesel engines up to the 4,000 HP range, and can also accommodate gasoline engines, smaller gas turbines, gearbox testing, and other propulsion and power generation prime mover or auxiliary type equipment. The LSD-41/49 Propulsion Support Facility simulates the complete LSD-41 Class ship starboard propulsion plant. This test and engineering site consists of two Colt Pielstick PC2.5 propulsion diesel engines, a shipboard reduction gear, and all associated engine, reduction gear, and controllable pitch propeller controls. The FFG-7 Class SSDG is a duplicate of the unit that is in service in the fleet. It consists of a Detroit Diesel 16V149 turbocharged, intercooled diesel engine, a Reliance Generator, and a Garrett Start-Air Compressor.

Mission Support Facility

West Bethesda, MD

The Mission Support Facility provides the industrial facility support (machinery and personnel) for machinery and support system fabrication. This includes structural, piping, high and low pressure welding, instrumentation, electrical and machinery installation/alignment.