The U.S. Navy strategic systems programs consolidated support ship (USNS WATERS) and its capabilities as an at-sea navigation test vehicle

Describes a single, modern, consolidated support ship (CSS), capable of supporting all missions. USNS WATERS (T-AGS 45), a unit of the military sealift command, was selected to continue SSP mission support. It is now undergoing conversion and is scheduled to be operational early CY 1999. As an interim measure, USNS VANGUARD has taken on the role of CSS and USNS RANGE SENTINEL has been deactivated. Although trident missile flight test support missions will be of the highest priority for this CSS, the majority of the ship's time will be dedicated to the development, test and support of the submarine strategic navigation subsystem. The CSS provides the ship's dynamic environment to evaluate and assess new technology navigation sensors and systems, as well as investigation of fleet problems and testing of upgrades and alterations to the fleet's navigation subsystem. The navigation subsystem includes: inertial navigators; satellite navigation systems; bathymetric systems; velocity measuring systems; gravimetric systems; and specialized processors and recording systems. This paper will address USNS WATERS conversion, configuration, facilities, capabilities and planned employment when dedicated to the strategic navigation mission. It will detail the navigation systems in the strategic submarine fleet currently supported, the follow-on systems that are under development and the various navigation at-sea tests and evaluations conducted to meet fleet requirements.