MEETING THE 21ST-CENTURY WITH SMART MISSION FLEXIBILITY

A revolution is underway in the design, production and installation of the Navy/Marine Corps team's command, control, communications, comput ers and intelligence ((CI)-I-4) vision and strategies, which is signif icantly reducing costs, and dramatically improving the battle readines s of tomorrow's forward deployers. A strong emphasis on research and d evelopment has enabled the design, development and installation of the Shipboard Modular Arrangement Reconfiguration Technology (SMART) syst ems in ships. SMART is a methodology for installing equipment in shipb oard spaces that will provide the fleet with enhanced mission flexibil ity. The heart of this technology is a track rail system, similar to t hat used by the aircraft industry, which enables equipment to be bolte d to the deck, bulkheads or overhead, and meets all shipboard shock an d vibration requirements. The fleet can reconfigure designated spaces to receive new systems, install equipment upgrades, position cross-dec ked systems, or rearrange work areas with minimal industrial work (wel ding, grinding, lagging, painting, etc.), and maximum cost savings. Ke y (CI)-I-4 spaces such as Tactical Flag Command Center (TFCC), Joint O perations Center (JOC), Communication Centers, etc., can be reconfigur ed as required. Thereby, new technology insertion can enable rapid dep loyment of state-of-the-art technologies much faster than the standard method of welding foundations in place to support various equipment i nstallations. The SMART system includes a foundation track system, mod ular-connectorized power and lighting, and modular workstations.