Navy opts to continue supporting precise navigation system for ballistic missile submarines

ANAHEIM, Calif., 7 Dec. 2006. U.S. Navy officials have decided to continue supporting the precise electrostatically supported gyro navigator (ESGN) inertial navigation equipment for their fleet of Ohio-class (SSBN 726) ballistic missile submarines.

This move could mean that Navy leaders, at least for the time being, are opting not to move ahead with plans to replace the near-infallible ESGN systems aboard the Trident II (D5) ballistic missile submarines with a newer navigation system that would incorporate interferometric fiber-optic gyroscopes, or IFOGs.

The Navy Strategic Systems Programs office in Arlington, Va., awarded the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems Command, Control, and Communication (C3) Networks segment in Anaheim, Calif., a $25.2 million contract Dec. 5 to provide maintenance, support, and troubleshooting for the ESGN equipment on Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines operated by the U.S and United Kingdom navies.

The contract also calls for Boeing experts to modify, refurbish, and repair U.S. and United Kingdom ESGN instruments and components, as well as provide field engineering, TR-C5 software, and necessary documentation. The contract number is N00030-07-C-0002.

U.S. Navy researchers also are investigating a new fiber optic gyro (FOG) inertial navigation system for the fleet of Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines that eventually might replace the near-infallible ESGN system now in service aboard these nuclear-powered submarines.