USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) PMS 415’s Surface Ship Torpedo Defense (SSTD) team began at-sea testing and data collection of the rapid prototype torpedo warning system (TWS) and countermeasure antitorpedo (CAT) system, March 19.

This marks the first aircraft carrier employment of the TWS, which was installed during the ship’s recent planned incremental availability (PIA) period.

The TWS was streamed in order to collect acoustic data and fine-tune the system. The SSTD team, led by PMS 415 Programme Manager, Capt. Moises Del-Toro, has worked on this high priority Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) system in order to be operational for CVN 77’s upcoming deployment. Captain DelToro and the SSTD Team have been extremely impressed and grateful for the support, enthusiasm, and professionalism shown by the ship’s crew members during the testing and install period.

The TWS/CAT was previously tested only on board smaller ships, such as destroyers, but in 2011 Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Jonathan Greenert, approved the system for use on board aircraft carriers. USS George H.W. Bush was chosen to be the first to test and operate this rapid prototype system.

According to Brad Robinson, TWS/CAT fleet liaison, the at-sea testing is a major milestone. “We are able to put this array into the water and collect valuable data to enhance our software and make it a much more reliable alert system when it goes on deployment,” said Robinson. “We are collecting noise and acoustics that we were unable to previously collect.”

Over the next few months, CVN 77 will continue to test the TWS/CAT, allowing sailors an opportunity to increase their knowledge of the system and ensure safe operation in the future.

“Our sonar technicians (surface) are learning how to work and use the system this week. We’re really excited to have it on board,” said Cmdr. Andrew Walton, the ship’s operations officer. “While the NAVSEA team is embarked they’ll be able to make adjustments for future operation based on the lessons learned.”