SNA Hosts Shipbuilding, Maintenance Panels

ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- The Surface Navy Association (SNA) hosted shipbuilding and ship maintenance panels on the third and final day of their 29th annual symposium in Arlington, Virginia, Jan. 12.

Vice Adm. Thomas J. Moore, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), moderated both panels, which consisted of Navy and Coast Guard leaders and focused on current and future force structure with developments in technology, ship design, cost effectiveness and the implementation of the Navy's newest classes of ships.

"We are in the age of the electric ship; it is a real emphasis going forward," Moore said. "If we want to provide capability against our competition, whether an LCS (Littoral Combat Ship), DDG 1000, Columbia-class, Coast Guard icebreakers-you have to leap forward. These are and will be great platforms and are going to do great things for the Navy going forward."

Moore and his panel discussed the Navy's intentions moving forward, the importance of testing new and developing systems prior to implementation, affordability and the ability for the Navy to reach our current goal of 355 citing the progression of the Ford-class carrier, successes and lessons learned from the LCS's, development of a newly designed frigate and the guided-missile destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000).

The ship maintenance panel, held following the shipbuilding panel, gave the surface community insight into how the Navy expects to have more accurate maintenance schedules by improved planning, developing shipyard and waterfront sustainability, and educating the workforce.

"Our ability to get ships and submarines out on time is critical," Moore said. "There are three key elements to getting on track: understanding what our true maintenance requirements are, having the capacity in shipyards to work and perform maintenance, and to be more productive going forward."

Rear. Adm. Mark R. Whitney, director, Fleet Maintenance and a member of the panel, also stressed the importance of maintenance in setting Sailors up for success.

"Delivering the right maintenance gives Sailors trust in their ship," Whitney said. "Modernization gives Sailors the tools to face threats. Delivering on time gives them the opportunity to win, to be successful on deployments."

The annual three-day SNA symposium provided military leaders and members of the private sector the opportunity to discuss and showcase current and developing technologies and to enhance the Navy's warfighting capabilities.

SNA was incorporated in 1985 to promote greater coordination and communication among the military, business and academic communities, which share a common interest in naval surface warfare and support the activities of surface naval forces.

The SNA symposium concluded Jan. 12. For more information on the symposium visit the Navy Live blog at http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2017/01/09/sna-national-symposium-distributed-lethality-enabling-sea-control/, and join the social media conversation using #SNA2017.