Partners in

Progress

for Over

30 Years

McLaughlin Research provides NAVSEA Newport with a singular knowledge of the interdependent relationship of Navy system and management requirements gained through over 30 years of on-site experience in Newport, New London, Keyport, and other undersea warfare-related commands/sites around the world under more than 100 major prime contracts in Newport and New London, and under more than three dozen SeaPort Enhanced multiple award contract (N00178-04-D-4083) task orders. 

Programs and Services 

McLaughlin Research consistently has proven capable of proposing and implementing imaginative solutions to complex technical problems over the past three decades through the application of our unique assets and capabilities and the implementation of proven management and financial techniques to ensure professional, responsive, cost-conscious support for customers. 

MRC currently provides high quality support services to NAVSEA Newport across all of our core competency areas, which complement NAVSEA Newport's Competency Alignment Organization (CAO) in the areas of Research and Engineering, Logistics, Financial Management, Ordnance, Industrial Operations, and Program Management. This support encompasses NAVSEA Newport’s major program areas, and includes: Weapons, Launchers, Combat Systems, Periscopes, Surface ASW, Sonar, Targets, and Ranges. In addition, MRC provides a wide range of engineering and management support, including environmental management, for the facilities in which NAVSEA Newport researches, develops, tests, and evaluates these systems.  

MRC’s Quality Program Plan and associated quality procedures for installing TEMPALTs (and other alterations, i.e., SHIPALTs) have been reviewed by NAVSEA (SEA04XQ), which certified MRC’s quality system to meet the requirements of NAVSEA Technical Specification 9090-310C, Appendix D and NAVSEA Standard Item 009‑04, and to be “acceptable for use on Alteration Installation Team (AIT) Navy contracts.”

To learn more about our core competency areas, click on the appropriate link along the left side of this window. For details on the programs we currently support and the services we provide/ have provided to NAVSEA Newport by contract numbers, scroll down this page.

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System and Organization Program Management and Business Improvement    

Examples of tasking performed as prime contractor under SeaPort Enhanced contract N00178-04-D-4083 TOs N401, N408, N416, N420, N432, N433; and IDIQ contracts N66604-05-D-007B, N66604-04-D-1162, N66604-02-D-221B, N66604-01-D-0001, N66604-01-D-191B, N66604-99-D-606B, N66604-99-D-0127, and N66604-96-D-0090, and as subcontractor under contracts N66604-01-D-345A, N66604-96-D-E128, N66604-93-D-0381, N66604-02-D-221B, and N66604-87-D-0056.

• Prepare management plans/documents for the Seawolf, Virginia, and AN/BSY-2 programs and all submarine launcher programs.

• Develop consistent documentation life cycle management methodologies and assist in developing formal quality management systems for ISO 9000 certification of products and services; e.g., support leading to the first successful ISO 9001:2000 registration of a DoD entity.  

• Prepare/maintain analytical/programmatic documentation, e.g., innovative, element-integrated “Big Picture” master schedules for the Submarine Communication Support System (SCSS) and Virginia class Non-propulsion Electronics Systems (NPES). Following are among graphic components of the SCSS master schedule (right):

–   Installation Schedules for Virginia Class New Construction and SSBN 726, SSN 688, and Seawolf Class Backfits (Gantt)   –   System Development/Delivery Schedule (Gantt)   –   Projected SCSS Equipment by Phase Schedule (Spreadsheet)   –   Resource Management Schedule (Spreadsheet)   –   Component Development Schedule (Gantt)   –   Submarine Communications Tech-Base Transitions (PERT) –   SCSS Throughput Forecast (3-D Bar Chart)   –   Submarine ECS Link Forecast (Spreadsheet)   –   Component Programs Schedule (Gantt)   –   Antenna Development Flow (PERT)   –   Notional SCSS Rack Arrangements for Submarine Classes by      Fiscal Year Phases (Graphic Illustrations) Update/post programmatic information documents to restricted-access Virginia NPES web site, including Virginia Technical Management Plan, POA&M, CM Plan, Systems Engineering and Integration Program Guidelines and Assumptions, Open System Implementation Specification Guidance, Environmental Qualification Testing Information, and Information System Security Program Plan.
Provide program resource management support, including operating the Virginia Class Data Center, which acts as central repository for program information, including CDRL database (accessible online via Internet), and the Submarine Combat System Document Management Office (DMO), which provides CDRL tracking/review services and daily document retrieval and distribution via prime system contractor’s Contractor Integrated Technical Information Service (CITIS) Integrated Development Program web page.   Prepare work breakdown structures (WBS); perform cost estimation/ analysis to assist program manager allocate budgeted dollar amounts to task line items and in application of WBS to tasks; prepare weekly and monthly progress reports for Seawolf, Virginia, and AN/BSY-2 Combat Control System programs; prepare management briefs, presentation graphics, and minutes for Seawolf Washington-level quarterly reviews, AN/BSY-2 command-level briefings, and SCSS Working Group Meetings. (The Virginia Class NPES Top Level Schedule, which incorporates Microsoft Access-generated WBSs interpreted and produced in Adobe Illustrator, is depicted at right.)
Support acquisition reform initiatives by identifying potential replacements for military standards and specifications through research of industry and international standards; and by providing support to the DoD Demilitarization (DEMIL) Life Cycle Planning Center (DLPC) to assist program managers to achieve acquisition reform initiatives and to meet established and emerging DEMIL requirements. Specific support is provided to the DLPC in its function as a resource for DEMIL planning, R&D, engineering services, and training.

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Torpedoes and Underwater Vehicles

Examples of tasking performed as prime contractor under SeaPort Enhanced contract N00178-04-D-4083 TOs N402, N403, N404, N405, N406, N423, N424; and IDIQ contracts N66604-04-D-0415, N66604-00-D-1081, N66604-00-D-0136, N66604-99-D-0252, N66604-01-D-0852, N66604-96-D-B536, N66604-95-D-A279, N66604-94-D-A116, N66604-93-D-A742, N66604-91-D-4290, N66604-91-D-4682, N66604-89-D-0039, and N66604-86-D-0013; N66604-97-D-0185, N66604-92-D-B135, N66604-89-D-0115;and subcontractor under contracts N66604-97-D-4882, N66604-97-D-1113, N66604-94-D-A362, and N66604-92-D-B664.

Provide life cycle engineering support; configuration management (CM); integrated logistics support (ILS); reliability, maintainability, and availability; quality assurance/control; functional administration; technical and maintenance support services; and information technology (IT) services for U.S. and FMS heavyweight (Mk 48) and lightweight (Mk 46, Mk 50, Mk 54) torpedo (HWT/LWT) programs, as well as unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs)/mobile underwater targets, from development and production through operational and maintenance phases, including fleet operational interface, test equipment upgrade and maintenance, operation of life cycle support facilities, resolution of performance anomalies, software CM and control, and training curriculum development.

• Design, fabricate, and document prototype hardware, e.g., hardened Torpedo Mk 48 Mod 6 Bellmouth Adapter Exhaust Valve; low-cost fuel filters for Torpedoes Mk 48 Mods 4, 5, and 6; and Common Fleet Exercise Section (CFES) Cable Assembly.

• Prepare, review, and revise engineering change documentation governing changes to system hardware   and software configuration items, including analysis of ECPs for ILS impact.

• Perform level of repair analysis (LORA) for developmental subsystems/equipment; e.g., for the Common Torpedo Development Program that investigated technology sharing possibilities between HWT and LWT research and development (R&D) programs.

• Prepare master test plans, acceptance test procedures, and retrofit installation documents for test equipment upgrade programs. Provide technical support for in-water testing programs. Process and analyze tactical data recorded during at-sea exercises to produce post-exercise annotated graphic recapitulations of events.

• Provide system and facility engineering support and ILS services, including conduct of procedural analyses/audits, for depot- and intermediate-level maintenance activities, as well as ready-for-issue (RFI) activities and Fleet failure analysis teams (FFATs). Perform manpower, workflow, and equipment studies, asset readiness reviews, and facilities planning.

• Develop interactive courseware (ICW)-based weapon system operational training courses, e.g., Torpedo Mk 48 ADCAP Post-Launch Trainer (PLT) and Lightweight Torpedo Tactical Trainer (LTTT).

• Developed a 23-unit, 1,005-hour (225 classroom, 780 laboratory) Torpedo Test Equipment Maintenance and Operation course for the Royal Australian Navy.  Tasking included on-site validation of Torpedo Mk 48 turn-around procedures at depot/IMA facilities, e.g., Navsea Keyport.

• Provide technical, administrative, and presentation documentation and graphics support for program technical and management-related boards, working groups, reviews, meetings, conferences (e.g., Mk 48 and Mk 46 Users Group gatherings in Canada, The Netherlands, Australia, Hawaii), etc.

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Tomahawk Cruise Missile.  

Examples of tasking performed as prime contractor under SeaPort Enhanced contract N00178-04-D-4083 TOs N443, N444, N445, N446, N447; and IDIQ contract N66604-88-D-3046; and as subcontractor under IDIQ contracts N66604-03-D-0666, N66604-98-D-2891 and N66604-93-D-A269.

Design and document Tomahawk support equipment (SE) hardware, such as the Tomahawk Fitment Shape (Tomfish), Dynamic Load Bank (shown at right), Pressure Servicing Kits, Capsule Launching System (CLS) Loading and Handling Shape, Crew Training Shape, Composite Capsule, and Tomahawk Test Missile (TOTEM), shown below, which was designed completely from COTS components.
Provide logistics management and analysis, maintenance planning, supply support, technical documentation, facilities planning, warehousing, and CM life cycle support services, including service life extension reviews, for submarine-launched Tomahawk missile variants and related SE Developed maintenance concepts and support requirements for Tomahawk SE, and reviewed/critiqued depot-level refurbishment/recertification technical repair standards for Tomahawk Capsule Launching System. Determined mission essentiality codes, source, maintenance and recoverability codes; prepared provisioning technical documentation, including provisioning parts lists using the Interactive Computed Assisted Provisioning System (ICAPS) for Tomahawk; prepared repair parts lists, allowance parts lists, and allowance equipage lists for Tomahawk organizational and intermediate-level maintenance activities; and prepared SE recommendation data (SERDs) for Tomahawk SE. Converted print-based description, operation, and maintenance manuals for the Tomahawk weapons system and associated SE to electronic format using SGML-tagging software to encode text and graphics. Operated and maintained the Tomahawk Information System, used to perform change control and CSA for every configuration item of the missile system, associated components, electronic documentation, and test equipment, and the Product Assurance Database System (PADS), which provides user access to historical data for all Tomahawk trouble reports/corrective actions. Staffed and operated PADS Hotline. Reviewed/updated Tomahawk ILS plans (ILSPs) and developed ILSP appendices; performed level of repair analysis and logistic support analysis (LSA) for Tomahawk equipment and prepared LSA records; developed maintenance plans for Tomahawk and Tomahawk support equipment (SE).

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Weapon/Countermeasure Launch, Handling, and Stowage Systems.

Examples of tasking performed as prime contractor under SeaPort Enhanced contract N00178-04-D-4083 TOs N409, N410, N411, N412, N413, N414, N415, N426, N436, N437, N438, N439, N440, N441; and IDIQ contracts N66604-01-D-1285, N66604-00-D-1122, N66604-99-D-1227, N66604-95-D-A746, N66604-94-D-C256, N66604-94-D-A000, N66604-92-D-B467, N66604-89-D-0107, N66604-89-D-0157, N66604-89-D-0065, and N66604-88-D-0011; and subcontractor under contracts N66604-01-D-0013 and N66604-96-D-A199.

Provide engineering, technical, and logistic support for submarine weapon/countermeasure launch, handling, and stowage systems, surface ship torpedo launching systems, and weapon/counter-measure launcher RDT&E laboratory facilities, including: Advanced Submarine Launcher Facility (ASLF) (shown at right); Submarine Launch System Test Facility (SLSTF); External Countermeasure Launcher Test Facility (ECLTF); Three Inch Launcher Facility; Turbine Pump, Controllable Air Firing Valve, and Controllable Air Firing Valve Electronics Refurbishment Area (TPCCRA); as well as Surface Vessel Torpedo Tube Facility (SVTTF).
Programs supported have included submarine Turbine Pump Ejection Systems (TPES) Mk 17 and Mk 19, Air Turbine Pump (ATP) Mk 21; Torpedo Ejection Pump (TEP) Mk 5, and the Large Diameter Vehicle Launch Tube (LDVLT); Weapon and Launcher Test Set (WALTS) Mk 692; Platform Inventory Control System (PICS); and all Mods of Surface Vessel Torpedo Tube (SVTT) Mk 32. Perform technical and cost planning, engineering, design, manufacturing/fabrication, equipment installation, reconfiguration, operation of systems and other technical services in support of existing and future launcher RDT&E facility upgrade and/or reconfiguration programs. Provide engineering analysis, design/design review, ILS, CM, and engineering/ technical documentation services for surface combatant launcher programs, including stress/dynamic analysis, fabrication of prototype modification kits, inventory control point services, and CM for test equipment, e.g., WALTS Mk 692, as well as for FMS programs.
Preparation, review, and updating of technical manuals, training materials, and users manuals, including development of solid models and solid model-based illustrations using SolidWorks (shown at right), electrical schematic animations/videos, and troubleshooting procedures for conversion of operation and maintenance manuals for all Mods of SVTT Mk 32 to interactive electronic technical manual (IETM) format.
Perform technical analysis, systems engineering, design, fabrication, test/evaluation, and documentation preparation services, including development and maintenance of mechanical interface drawings, compatibility studies of weapon to submarine interfaces, design/design review to analyze problems and resolve design deficiencies, and logistic support of modification and test programs; development of test plans, preparation and revision of publications and documentation.   Provide design engineering, modification kit logistic support, system testing, in-service technical support, preparation of CALS-compliant drawing packages for submarine launch, handling, and stowage systems.

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Sonars and Acoustic Systems 

Examples of tasking performed as prime contractor under SeaPort Enhanced contract N00178-04-D-4083 TO  N417; and IDIQ contracts N66604-03-D-215B, N66604-02-D-002B, N66604-01-D-0055, N66604-98-D-0523, N66604-96-D-B071, N66604-94-D-1236, N66604-91-D-2006, N66604-91-D-2017, N66604-91-D-0515, N66604-87-D-0114, and N66604-87-D-0115.

·         Perform hardware design, development, and logistic support services for the Near Term Augmentation Systems (NTAS) program, including installation and removal, of temporary towed array sonar systems aboard operational submarines located around the world.

·         Provide engineering and field engineering services to the Acoustic Augmentation Support Program (AASP). Support has included development, temporary installation, operation, at-sea test support, removal, and logistic support of existing acoustic augmentation, security, and evaluation systems, including AASP, General Noise and Tonal System (GNATS), Noise Augmentation Unit (NAU) and HLF-1 (series) systems.         

§         Provide engineering services to customize AASP hardware and/or software for specific customer signal requirements to support at-sea testing. This typically involves modifying the AASP system to include specific signal generation capabilities not included in this equipment.

§         Provide engineering services for sea test support using AASP equipment. This typically involves using an AASP system on a submarine or surface platform as a calibrated sound source target, while other ships test new equipment and/or tactics with this sound source.

§         Design and develop winch systems to use AASP equipment in surface vessel tow tests. This typically involves using AASP electronics to drive a transducer installed in a tow body, controlled by a winch.

§         Design electrical hull fitting (EHF) electrical inserts for connecting outboard sensors to inboard electronics.

·         Provided engineering services for shipboard system temporary alteration (TEMPALT) development, a NAVSEA-controlled process for temporary installation of equipment on submarines. Conduct on-site ship-checks to validate actual onboard configuration of current equipment and analyze potential installation locations; develop design proposals, including electrical and mechanical drawings to support installation; and perform engineering analysis and calculations. Examples of systems for which McLaughlin has developed TEMPALTs include: AASP, AEP, AFTAS, AN/WLY-1, APB01, ARTS, BBATD, Cluster HOUND, HFSDR, LFAIR, MacDSP, PIPRS, Sharkfin, SPVA, SRVS, STIMS, TB-16F STA, and TB-23 STA.

·         Provided engineering services for Sharkfin program, an interim submarine acoustic intercept system, including mechanical design, development and modeling of the outboard acoustic sensor; hydrodynamic analysis of the outboard acoustic sensor; technical support for fabrication of the Sharkfin sensor; and development of TEMPALT installation drawings (electrical and mechanical) and technical data package.

·         Provided engineering services for TB-16F STA development, an ACINT omnidirectional capability for the TB-16F Towed array. Support provided included:

§         Electronic and mechanical design, development and modeling of the outboard hydrophone preamplifier module (HPM).

§         Development of design disclosure documentation for the HPM.

§         Creation of SolidWorks models to develop molds to support fabrication process. Created files for direct input to stereo lithography machine to fabricate molds.

§         Fabrication of prototype and EDM HPMs.

§         Performance of operational requirements testing to address acoustic intelligence (ACINT) requirements for this system.

§         Performance of environmental stress screening, including shock, vibration, temperature, and pressure testing of components and modules. Designed and fabricated test fixtures and special purpose measurement systems.

§         Development of program/system documentation, functional design specifications; engineering drawings, including electrical/electronic flow, and wiring diagrams, schematics and parts lists; mechanical piece part, subassembly, assembly, and integration drawings.  

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Electromagnetic and Electro-Optical Sensors.  

Examples of tasking performed as prime contractor under contracts N66604-04-D-0006, N66604-04-D-001A, N66604-01-D-0001, GS-35F-0329K, N66604-99-D-014A, N66604-96-D-0090, N66604-95-D-0332, N66604-93-D-0624, N66604-90-D-0553, N66604-90-D-0581, and N66604-87-D-0525.

• Perform design, analysis, improvement, installation, test, and documentation of submarine electromagnetic systems.
• Develop drawings, and produce analysis reports of system and design effectiveness models; fabricate and test electronic prototype assemblies and computer programs; develop technical documents; perform engineering studies and analysis, including radar cross-section modeling, microwave system simulation, radar/ESM detection range analysis; and provide engineering services for the installation, repair, and testing of electronic systems aboard submarines, surface ships, and shore sites.
• Provide technical and engineering services to support repair, overhaul, and restoration of operational/deployed electronic and hull, mechanical, and electrical material, equipment, and components, including development of plans and controlled work packages, and inventory control and status accounting.
• Investigated electromagnetic compatibility/interference (EMC/EMI) problems aboard operational U.S. Navy submarines under the Shipboard Electromagnetic Compatibility Improvement Program (SEMCIP), and reported results in technical memoranda. Developed temporary and permanent alterations to correct/alleviate problems encountered.
• Developed and produced interactive courseware (ICW) training courses on EMC/EMI awareness and on EMI survey procedures for U.S. Navy personnel, and an EMI awareness course for the submarine-building industry. Tasking included development of all necessary storyboard scripts, graphic productions, and training aids for these video productions.

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Environmental Programs.  

Examples of tasking performed as prime contractor under contracts N66604-04-D-0003, N66604-99-D-0127 and N66604-95-D-A279.

Provide environmental engineering and program management support for Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), Newport, including environmental assessments and compliance audits; environmental technical support and engineering field work; pollution prevention; training support; data management; program schedule development/maintenance; and multi-media graphics support. Provide hazardous material (HAZMAT) management advisory services, including performing environmental regulation compliance inspections of less-than-90-day HAZMAT storage facilities, preparing documentation for processing waste to disposal, and tracking commercial carrier shipping manifests for shipments to ensure regulatory compliance. Developed and maintained related tracking databases. Reviewed and redlined Standard Operating Procedure for Transferring and Receiving Explosives and Explosive Safety Self-Audit (ESSA) Plan.

• Developed interim database management systems for tracking Navy Occupational Safety and Health (NAVOSH) data and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) DMS.
• Develop consistent documentation life cycle management methodologies and assist in developing formal quality management systems for ISO 14000 certification of day-to-day operations as they impact the environment.
• Develop and implement systems to track project progress and resources dedicated to domestic Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Overseas EAs (OEAs) prepared for Fleet customers. Automated a reference tracking system for the Marine Mammal Library to support research required by applicable EAs and OEAs.
• Supported development of a cross-functional Marine Life Research Compliance team, including development of team charter and marketing presentations.
• Provided Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) support in areas of engineering, training, and management of data. Provided GIS maps and models to assist with EAs and OEAs, as well as with other National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) documentation, e.g., data on mammal sightings, essential habitats, and other information required to support bathymetric and physical environmental models.

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