Zone Technology Implementation at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard—Phase III

Phase I implementation of zone technology at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (PNSY) began with the planning of the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) of the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) in 1986 with the assistance of Japanese engineers from Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (IHI). Phase II of zone technology implementation included the continuing work on the USS Kitty Hawk, extensive planning efforts for the USS Constellation (CV-64) SLEP, and the execution of a number of smaller availabilities. Phase III of zone technology consists of the completion of the Kitty Hawk SLEP, the final planning and commencement of the Constellation SLEP utilizing 100 percent zone technology, and the planning and execution of all future availabilities utilizing the concepts of zone technology. Significant lessons learned from prior availabilities, particularly the Kitty Hawk, have been identified and implemented on the Constellation SLEP. Encouraging results from smaller availabilities are presented. Initial comparisons between the Kitty Hawk and the Constellation SLEP work performance in cost and schedule are reviewed.