SAN DIEGO —Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific researchers, led by Dr. Dave Phillips, have developed a solid-state crowbar replacement circuit currently being transitioned to Fixed Submarine Broadcast Systems (FSBS) transmission sites that has the potential to save the Navy millions of dollars in maintenance and fuel costs.
The Naval Innovative Science and Engineering-funded project, the Crowbar Replacement Circuit, replaces and improves 1930's ignitron technology with state-of-the-art solid state power electronics and controls to make several improvements and cost-saving steps for the Navy.
On April 8, 2014, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, Test & Evaluation Mary E. Lacey spoke before the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities about the value and positive results of investments in internal research and development efforts at Navy labs.
Lacey said, “The Navy’s very low frequency (VLF) transmitters are located around the world and provide the Navy with the capability to communicate over large distances, one way, to our submarines while they are submerged. Once the crowbar is implemented at all six VLF sites, the Navy will save $20 million a year in energy and maintenance costs on that alone.”
The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific provides the U.S. Navy and military with essential capabilities in the areas of command and control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR). SSC Pacific provides the full spectrum of C4ISR capabilities from basic research and prototype development, to extensive test and evaluation services, through systems engineering and integration, to installation and life-cycle support of fielded systems. SSC Pacific is a recognized leader in the cyber domain and for autonomous unmanned systems, and is providing the technological and engineering support critical to ensuring the Navy’s information dominance.