NOB, Norfolk, VA –
Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center’s (MARMC) Micro-Miniature (2M) Lab and Naval Undersea Warfare Center Detachment Norfolk (NUWC) work together to keep the MK-53 Decoy Launching Systems (DLS) (Nulka) operational, Feb. 11.
MARMC’s Electronic Warfare Division and 2M repair shop work closely together to repair Processor Power Supplies (PPS) for the MK-53 DLS. The MK-53 DLS is a rapid response Active Expendable Decoy (AED) System capable of providing highly effective defense for ships against modern Anti-Ship Missiles. Nulka means “be quick” in the Australian Aboriginal dialect. The MK-53 DLS contains up to six Nulka Launchers, associated Processor Power Supplies and a Decoy Launch Processor.
MARMC’s recent repair efforts on two PPSs were delivered to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).
“We were able to test and repair both launch controller cards for the Eisenhower and get them back to the ship while she was still in her inspections phase,” said Steven Thomas 2M Engineering Technician. “Typically when we receive the cards from the ship we have the tools on hand to repair the card, but we have no way to operationally test them. MARMC’s Electronic Warfare MK-53 technicians have that very capability. Through our partnership we can test and repair these cards while saving the Navy time and resources.”
Over the past year, MARMC has supported five U.S. naval vessels with PPS and currently maintains four Ready for Issue Cards (RFI) on hand to support future request.
“NUWC’s Scott Doherty 2M/Module Test and Repair Program Coordinator acquires faulty PPS from Naval Supply Center Norfolk and forwards them to MARMC for repair and operational testing,” said Laura Petty 2M Lab Manager. “The quick turnaround between MARMC 2M repair technicians, Steven Thomas and Eleuterio Miguel, and Electronic Warfare MK-53 technicians, Jericho Jefferson and Victor DeLeon, has proven successful in keeping MK-53 systems operational.”
The 2M Second Chance Program, coordinated through Scott Doherty, repairs electronic circuit cards and modules to fill outstanding requisitions and supporting several systems to include 5-inch/54 caliber (MK-45) gun, Sonar AN/SQS-53C and UV Flame Detectors to name a few. MARMC’s 5-inch gun engineering technicians have also provided support in testing the 5-inch gun input and power supply cards.
“Our ability to repair a circuit card and bring an important system or piece of machinery back online cannot only save the Navy time and resources, but also help those ships out on our waterfront maintain a high level of readiness,” said Thomas.