By Geoff Fein
Although the USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) just completed testing of its modified combat systems, the year-long effort to upgrade the ship included significant changes to its hull, mechanical and electrical (HM&E) systems as well.
The Bunker Hill is the first cruiser to undergo the Navy’s Aegis modernization effort, under the advanced capability build 08 program. She completed Combat System Ship Qualification Trials (CSSQT) last month, and will prepare for Baseline and Platform Certification, ship certifications, and review by the Navy Board of Inspection and Survey before the cruiser returns to the fleet (Defense Daily, Aug. 5).
The ship entered BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair in February 2008 and completed cruiser modifications in February 2009.
Among the many upgrades to the Bunker Hill was configuring ship services to all electric, a Navy source familiar with the modification effort told Defense Daily.
Additional upgrades to the Bunker Hill‘s HM&E included:
- Removal of three Waste Heat Boilers and all associated steam piping;
- Upgrading engineering command and control systems to “smart ship” with multiple levels of redundancy;
- The helm was updated to digital integration with Main Engineering plant;
- Main Gas Turbine Engine fuel controls were converted from mechanical to digital control;
- Steam distilling plants were removed and replaced with two, 12,000 gallon per day reverse osmosis units;
- The Onboard Training System, which allows the engineers to hone casualty response actions with no impact to ship;
- Learning Resource Center was added to allow sailors access to online resources and shore based distance learning/support;
- External Video monitoring capability added to the Central Control Station (CCS) to allow situational awareness of the ships evolutions;
- Radar Tank Level Indicators added to enable remote monitoring of fuel tank levels.;
- A HYDRA system (a wireless communications system) was installed to increase communication capability throughout the command; and,
- A Damage Control Task Management System (DCTMS) was installed in the CCS and all repair lockers to provide situational awareness and increase damage control monitoring.
“Engineering watch standers underwent ECSE (Engineering Control and Surveillance Equipment) smart ship training provided by NAVSEA/NAVSESS in Philadelphia,” the source said. “DCTMS, Damage control system training, is provided locally at Training Support Center San Diego.”
The integrated control system (ICS) has an excellent imbedded training program, called On Board Training (OBT), that makes engineering training more realistic and therefore more effective, the source added.
Removal of all the waste heat systems has significantly reduced preventive maintenance and space temperatures have reduced, the source added.
“Less maintenance is now required with the new systems but the maintenance that is now required is more detailed and higher tech,” the source said.