NSWC Crane Recognized for Outstanding Value Engineering

CRANE, Ind (NNS) -- Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane was honored Sept. 17, at the 16th Society of American Value Engineers' (SAVE) Congressional Education Reception for Value Engineering (VE) excellence in Washington.

A Navy leader in VE, NSWC Crane, a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has received 20 Department of Defense (DoD) VE Special Achievement awards during the past 10 years. NSWC Crane developments associated with these awards are worth an estimated $600 million in cost avoidance and savings.

"Our commitment to keeping America's Navy number one is unwavering in both technology development and value engineering," said Capt. Charles LaSota, NSWC Crane commanding officer. "Across our warfare center, we look at the most effective and most efficient ways we can support the warfighter."

Value Engineering is an integral part of NSWC Crane's Continuous Process Improvement philosophy. The warfare center supports industry symposia and events, and has published white papers on "Lean Enterprise Value" and "Value Engineering in the Lean Environment." Through its integration of VE and Value Methodology, in many technical and business areas and processes, NSWC Crane develops highly technical solutions at the best value to the customer.

One such example is the DoD VE Achievement Award presented to NSWC Crane for its work on the Javelin Launch Tube.

NSWC Crane's Javelin Launch Tube Enhancement Team was recognized for their innovative and simple solution to a problem with the Javelin Launch Tubes being used in combat. Javelin launch tubes were prone to cracking, so the Javelin Launch Tube Enhancement Team used VE methodology to create a simple coating that reduced cracking, and in turn reduced the number of launch tube replacements by 90 percent.

This cracking was a long-term service life issue because the missile inside of the Javelin launch tube depends on a closed envelope to keep it protected and dry, explained Mike Huffman, NSWC Crane technical project manager.

"There is no way to fix a cracked tube, so the entire unit would need to be sent back so the missile could be put into a new tube," said Huffman. "This was initially priced at $25,000 a round, which is a pretty significant cost to fix something that initially only cost $80,000."

By employing VE methodology and creating a simple coating to "ruggedize" the launch tubes, the NSWC Crane Javelin Launch Tube Enhancement Team is expected to yield a total cost avoidance of nearly $25,000 per tube, which translates to nearly $10 million in cost savings for the DoD.

NSWC Crane is a NAVSEA field activity with focus areas in Special Missions, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare/Information Operations.

For more news from Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, visit www.navy.mil/local/crane.

For more news from Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane), visit www.navy.mil/local/crane/.