JUL - Bath Iron Works

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From the Helm Jeff Geiger, President, Bath Iron Works Ispent several days this month in Mobile, Alabama as LCS 2 began Builder’s Trials. While there, I had a brief flashback to Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) and its Builder’s Trials and it didn’t take much effort to fast forward to the time when we’ll take DDG 1000 to sea for the first time. At first glance, you might think these three ships have little in common and, if you only look at them on the surface, that’s not a bad conclusion. But if you look further, you’ll see there are commonalities. For example, each of these first-of-a-class ships began with a new hull form that was designed for a particular purpose and they all began with a good measure of new technology embedded within. All three ships, in their own right, created high expectations and spawned significant public attention. It has been exciting to be involved in all three new classes of surface combatants. For the DDG 51 class, the jury has long ago rendered its verdict. While the program was filled with challenges, especially in the start-up phase, DDG 51 has made its mark as the most successful naval surface combatant program in the history of the U. S. Navy. The jury will soon have the chance to deliberate on LCS 2 which has also experienced its share of start-up challenges. But having witnessed the potential of this platform in the course of a couple of days at sea, I am absolutely convinced that the ship will prove to be a flexible and powerful platform for our Navy. For DDG 1000, we’re just beginning to prepare the case and we’re on the right track. We know we have a good design because of the hard work that has already been accomplished and the rigor of our design processes. Manufacturing is ready for this ship and we will soon begin to ramp up our production efforts. The cover of this newsletter is evidence of the kind of innovative steps we have undertaken to pave the way for DDG 1000. Unit 2000 for DDG 111 is the largest unit we have ever built and moved at BIW. At approximately 3,000 tons, this unit is one of several stepping stones that will lead to DDG 1000 Ultra Units and this is where the similarities between these three ships end. Our DDG 1000 goal from the outset has been to build this lead ship like it was a follow ship. We have the opportunity to create a new lead ship cost and schedule model. We have the tools we need and the talent and skills that are required and we have a solid plan to make it happen. We’ve also made a commitment to ourselves and the Navy and you have clearly demonstrated what can happen when BIW shipbuilders make up their minds to do something. If we approach our jobs each day with that commitment in mind, we will prove that lead Reginald Dubois (D10). ships can be efficiently and affordably built and in the process, create opportunities that will help secure our future. Lead ships are tough jobs by anyone’s standards but if any group of shipbuilders can change the pattern, it’s you. I’m confident we will achieve our goal. I’d like to shift back to the DDG 51 Program for a moment. On Saturday, August 1, 2009, we will have the distinct honor and privilege of having Deb Dunham, ship sponsor, and her family with us to christen DDG 109, the ship that carries her son’s name. Corporal Jason Dunham was a United States Marine who was killed in 2004 while serving in Iraq. In an act of selfless courage, he threw himself on a hand grenade that was released by an Iraqi insurgent, thereby saving the lives of many fellow Marines, some of whom will be in attendance at the christening. For his action, he posthumously received our nation’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor. I know there will be at least two other Medal of Honor recipients in attendance, one from the Korean War and another from the Vietnam War. These men risked their lives and Jason Dunham gave his life in defense of our freedom. I hope every BIW shipbuilder will be in attendance at the christening of DDG 109 to demonstrate our thanks and to honor these American heroes. “TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE” 2 | July 2009 | BIW NEWS
Performance June 2009 RECORDABLE INJURIES Cumulative Through June 2009 20 15 10 5 0 12.8 Improvement Target 12.9 Actual Note: Safety statistics are reported as rates. LOST-TIME INJURIES Cumulative Through June 2009 10 8 6 4 2 0 4.0 Improvement Target 3.4 Actual BIW NEWS BIW NEWS is published monthly by the Communications Department (D94) of Bath Iron Works and is produced internally in the BIW Print Shop. Photos by Mike Nutter unless otherwise noted. The primary objectives of BIW NEWS are to recognize the service, accomplishments, innovation and contributions of our employees and to provide information on matters that are of interest to our workforce. Comments and suggestions are welcome and should be forwarded to Dixie Stedman at Mail Stop 1210 or by e-mail at dixie.stedman@biw.com. Environmental Year to date (YTD) progress toward achieving our environmental performance goals under the Maine DEP STEP UP and other environmental programs is displayed as follows: Equal to or better than YTD goal Above YTD goal, improved from prior year Above YTD goal, not improved from prior year In July, the large Ultra 2000 Unit left the Ultra Hall and travelled to Shipway 2 on the LLTF to join the keel unit of Spruance (DDG 111). This is the largest ship unit to date to move across the LLTF and at approximately 3,000 tons, is heavier than a WWII destroyer. Ultra 2000 encompasses the girth of the ship from the weatherdeck to the keel and represents about a quarter of the total ship structure. The Ultra unit approach is a result of a lot of BIW people asking themselves and each other what it would take to advance the mega unit approach to gain greater efficiencies on both DDG 51 class ships and DDG 1000. Through cross-discipline teamwork and cooperation, the Ultra approach was developed, then implemented with the support of General Dynamics and the Navy. Building on each step forward and learning at every stage, this process continues to yield benefits which contribute to reduced construction labor hours. Cumulative Through June 2009 Solid Waste Hazardous Waste Energy Costs Ultra Unit 2000 Takes its Place Facility/Shift Information Call Line Toll free information on facility status, work shift delays, and cancellations 1-866-630-BATH (1-866-630-2284) The DDG 111 Ultra 2000 zigged and zagged its way into position, travelling north from the Ultra Hall towards MSC, then turning south towards Shipway 2. BIW NEWS | July 2009 | 3
Page 1: BIW NEWS July 2009 Ultra 2000 Move
Page 5 and 6: Wellness and Benefits Retirement Wh
Page 7 and 8: Navy asset was its simplicity, capa
Page 9 and 10: New EDP Class Announced In mid-July
Page 11 and 12: BIW Trekkers for Healthy Lungs The

JUL - Bath Iron Works

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