Original Date: 05/23/1994
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Keyport has partially implemented a Shop Process Automation System (SPAS) to replace a variety of systems that developed separately in support of individual weapons programs. Typically these systems were tailored to individual In-Service Engineering Agent process specific requirements. The SPAS provides a common shop floor system used for existing and future programs.

The SPAS is configured in four main modules that address Process, Documentation, Inventory/Configuration, and Personnel. The Process module provides the system core and is used to provide the work flow data required during an overhaul or rebuild. It records work accomplished, mechanic, and quality assurance signoffs and provides some workloading reports. The Document module features automated reliability, maintainability, and failure reporting. The Inventory/Configuration module provides an automated inventory receipt and shipping capability, shop floor inventory tracking, and hardware configuration control. And finally, the Personnel module maintains certification and training information.

The SPAS was developed to reduce the cost of developing and operating weapons program specific systems, reduce vendor-specific platforms, improve process control, provide enhanced configuration control, improve inventory tracking, and provide automated collection of failure data. The system provides a common shop floor system that can share project support personnel, reduce training costs, and share software development costs. The system features an SQL compliant database, expandable hardware, enhanced communications with other data management systems, and is designed to be a flexible, general purpose process control system that can be used in multiple production shops. The SPAS has been implemented in support of the Mk 48 and Advanced Capabilities torpedo programs and the Mk 30 target program.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.