Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT) and Commander, Navy Regional Maintenance Center (CNRMC) marked their recent collaboration on a new pierside connectivity system with a ribbon cutting ceremony, March 3.
The Wireless Connectivity Bridge (WCB), a commercial off the shelf solution, brings significant high-speed connectivity to the piers and barges of numerous commercial shipyards in the Norfolk area. The system uses a combination of upgraded wired and wireless systems to provide accelerating data capability for ships undergoing maintenance availabilities in private shipyards.
“It’s the fastest internet I’ve ever seen in the Navy,” said Capt. Kevin Zayac, USS Wasp (LHD 1) commanding officer. “Once the Wireless Bridge came online we began producing an output two to three times that of what we were realizing previously. And when you consider the limited work stations in the shipyard environment and the enormous number of personnel needing computer access to complete their tasks it is a very big deal to our bottom line, and ultimately our readiness.”
The end user experience for Sailors whose ships are in maintenance availabilities, such as USS Wasp, has been significantly upgraded through this project with results already being seen.
USS Pinckney has similar Wireless Connectivity Bridge testing in progress at a commercial shipyard San Diego.
CNRMC oversees the operations of Regional Maintenance Centers in their execution of surface ship maintenance, modernization and sustainment.
SURFLANT mans, trains and equips assigned surface forces and shore activities, ensuring a capable force for conducting prompt and sustained operations in support of United States national interests. The SURFLANT force is composed of nearly 80 ships and more than 30 shore commands.