The National Institute of Packaging, Handling and Logistics Engineers (NIPHLE) announced the NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) F/A-18 Fuel Cell Container Team as the winner of the NIPHLE 2015 Design Competition at an award ceremony aboard Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey.

The NIPHLE annual design competition recognizes government and industry teams that have made significant contributions in the fields of packaging, handling or logistics.

The F/A-18 Fuel Cell Container Team won in the category of Long-Life Package for the design of a reusable shipping and storage container for F/A-18 self-sealing fuel cells.

"I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of the F/A-18 Fuel Cell Container Team," said NAVSUP WSS Commander Rear Adm. Paul Verrastro. "Their innovations and stellar performance in packaging solutions helps keep our Fleet operational and mission ready."

The F/A-18 aircraft uses four internal fuel cells for mission fuel storage while in flight. The F/A-18 Fuel Cell Container Team identified problems with the existing wood crate packaging and developed a new, long-life reusable container to safely protect the fuel cells. The new container creates a more reliable packaging solution while reducing supply chain material and labor cost.

The NAVSUP WSS F/A-18 Fuel Cell Container Team consists of Joseph Devlin, Andreas Klaube, Brian Winters, and also engineers from Dayton T. Brown and Pelican Products, Inc.

This is the second NIPHLE award NAVSUP WSS has won and the first in the category of Long-Life Package.

A field activity of the Naval Supply Systems Command, NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) is the U.S. Navy's supply chain manager providing worldwide support to the aviation, surface ship, and submarine communities. NAVSUP WSS provides Navy, Marine Corps, joint and allied forces with products and services that deliver combat capability through logistics. There are more than 2,000 civilian and military personnel employed at its two Pennsylvania sites. The NAVSUP WSS Philadelphia site supports aircraft, while its Mechanicsburg site supports ships and submarines.

For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit: www.navy.miland www.navy.mil/local/navsup/.