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1 May 2008
The Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) programme, with significant support from Northrop Grumman has been, operating for the first time from one of the US Navy's newest platforms, the Ohio-class cruise missile submarine USS Michigan (SSGN 727).
The ASDS vehicle was hosted on the USS Michigan during the SSGN's recent Follow-on Test and Evaluation period (FOT&E), which included as its final phase the operational evaluation of SSGN with ASDS. During the test, the ASDS vehicle was launched and recovered by the USS Michigan across the full range of operational conditions. All test activities associated with the combined operations of ASDS and the SSGN class submarine were completed.
The ability to host an ASDS on the SSGN was enabled by Northrop Grumman's design, manufacture, and delivery of a set of 'universal pylons' that are designed for Los Angeles class, Ohio SSGN class and ultimately the Virginia class submarines. Previously, hosting the ASDS was limited to two Los Angeles-class submarines - USS Greeneville (SSN 772) and USS Charlotte (SSN 766) - using transport and latching pylons that were designed specifically for that class of submarine. The flexibility of the universal pylons was demonstrated during the operational test and evaluation.
The ASDS is a combat submersible developed by Northrop Grumman for the Special Operations Command (SOCOM). The ASDS Programme is a joint programne between Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding - Newport News.
REF XQQAS XQQSA
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