Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane Division) is the principal tenant command located at Naval Support Activity Crane (NSA Crane). NSA Crane is a
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
installation located approximately southwest of
Bloomington,
Indiana
Indiana () is a U.S. state in the Midwestern United States. It is the 38th-largest by area and the 17th-most populous of the 50 States. Its capital and largest city is Indianapolis. Indiana was admitted to the United States as the 19th ...
, and predominantly located in
Martin County, but small parts also extend into
Greene and
Lawrence counties. It was originally established in 1941 under the
Bureau of Ordnance The Bureau of Ordnance (BuOrd) was a United States Navy organization, which was responsible for the procurement, storage, and deployment of all naval weapons, between the years 1862 and 1959.
History
Congress established the Bureau in the Departme ...
as the Naval Ammunition Depot for the production, testing, and storage of ordnance under the first supplemental Defense Appropriation Act. The base is named after
William M. Crane
Commodore William Montgomery Crane (February 1, 1776 – March 18, 1846) was an officer in the United States Navy during the First Barbary War and the War of 1812. He was the son of General William Crane who was wounded at the Battle of Quebec ( ...
. The base is the third largest naval installation in the world by geographic area and employs approximately 3,300 people. The closest community is the small town of
Crane, which lies adjacent to the northwest corner of the facility.
Operations
With an increasing demand in the 1990s and 2000s by the US military for bases to support multiple functions rather than being sole-purpose installations, Crane has taken on a broad variety of development and support operations. These include expeditionary warfare systems, fleet maintenance, and modernization,
radar
Radar is a detection system that uses radio waves to determine the distance (''ranging''), angle, and radial velocity of objects relative to the site. It can be used to detect aircraft, Marine radar, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor v ...
, power systems, strategic systems, small arms, surface and airborne
electronic warfare
Electronic warfare (EW) is any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum (EM spectrum) or directed energy to control the spectrum, attack an enemy, or impede enemy assaults. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent ...
,
night vision systems, and
undersea warfare systems. Crane is also involved in systems development for the upcoming
DD(X) class of destroyer for the US Navy and the
Littoral Combat Ship
The littoral combat ship (LCS) is either of two classes of relatively small surface vessels designed for operations near shore by the United States Navy. It was "envisioned to be a networked, agile, stealthy surface combatant capable of defeat ...
(LCS).
Operations at Crane are divided into three distinct focus areas: Strategic Missions, Electronic Warfare, and Expeditionary Warfare.
Strategic Missions
''"Deter - Defend - Defeat"''
''The Strategic Missions Focus Area encompasses the full range of DoD activities that alter an adversary's will and ability to attack the United States and its interests''.
;Critical Infrastructure Protection
Crane is the acquisition engineering & technical support agent for the Navy's Strategic Programs Office for the fielding of the Integrated Nuclear Weapons Security System.
;Full Spectrum Radar Engineering Support
Crane provides a broad range of systems engineering expertise for the sustainment and modernization of the Air Forces Ballistic Missile Early Warning Systems.
;Flight Systems
Crane supports systems engineering design, analysis, test, and evaluation of flight systems for Strategic platforms.
;Launcher Systems
Crane provides high-reliability product and subsystem engineering and logistics to the Navy's Strategic Systems Programs Strategic Weapons System and Attack Weapon Control System.
;Modeling and Simulation
The Flight Systems Division (Code GXM) models and simulates electronic components and subsystems of the Navy's Strategic Weapons System including the Attack Weapon Control System and Counter Measurement System. Analyses include Signal Processing, Signal Integrity (SI), and Electromagnetic Compatibility/Electromagnetic Interference (EMC/EMI) using Signal Modeling and Simulation (M&S) techniques, Circuit M&S techniques, and Method of Moments (MoM). Particular signal M&S tools include Matlab/Simulink and particular circuit M&S and MoM tools include Agilent Technologies Advanced Design System (ADS) with Agilent Momentum.
The Platform and Launch Systems Division (Code GXP) models and simulates:
#Components and subsystems of the Submarine, Launch Tube, and Missile including missile Launch Test Vehicle (LTV), Ballast Transport Fixtures, and Hydrophones. Analyses include Stress, Thermal, Modal, and Acoustic using Finite Element Method (FEM). Particular FEM analysis tools include ANSYS and ABAQUS.
#Components and subsystems of the Common Missile Compartment (CMC) involving Missile Heating and Cooling (MHC) and Underwater Launch (UWL). Analyses include Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using Finite Volume Method (FVM) and FEM. Particular CFD tools include ANSYS Fluent and ABAQUS CFD.
#Electronic systems and subsystems of the Platform and Launch Tube. Analyses include Electromagnetic Compatibility/Electromagnetic Interference (EMC/EMI) using Circuit Modeling and Simulation (M&S) techniques and coupled Boundary Element Method and Finite Element Method (BEM/FEM). Particular circuit M&S tools and BEM/FEM tools include ANSOFT Simplorer and ANSOFT Q3D Extractor.
The Technology and Infrastructure Protection Division's Strategic Test and Validation Systems Branch Code GXQP models and simulates Strategic Weapon Systems Coordination. Analyses are performed for requirements verification using Matlab/Simulink.
The Radar Systems Engineering Division (Code GXR) models and simulates:
#Electronic components and subsystems of Microwave and Radar equipment. Analyses include Electromagnetic Compatibility/Electromagnetic Interference (EMC/EMI) and Signal Integrity (SI) using Circuit Modeling and Simulation (M&S) techniques and Method of Moments (MoM). Particular circuit M&S and MoM tools include Agilent Technologies Advanced Design System (ADS) with Agilent Momentum.
#Electron Guns inside Microwave Tubes. Analyses include calculation of Electric Potential and Electric Field using Finite Element Method (FEM). Particular FEM analysis tools include ANSOFT Maxell 2-D and 3-D steady state and transient electromagnetic fields solver.
#Waveguides and Antennas. Analyses include the determination of antenna patterns/performance using FEM and Method of Moments (MoM). Particular FEM and MoM analysis tools include ANSOFT HFSS, Agilent EMPro, FEKO, and CST Microwave Studio.
Electronic Warfare
''"Control the Spectrum - Control the Fight"''
''Electronic Warfare supports any military action using electromagnetic energy to control the electromagnetic spectrum or attack an adversary''
;Development
Crane develops and manufactures all of the infrared countermeasures used on US Navy aircraft
;Test and Evaluation
Crane developed and operates the only COMOPTEVFOR certified test facilities to support EW T&E events such as Developmental Tests, Operational assessments, and Operational Tests
;Sustainment
Crane is the only DOD Engineering, Logistics, and Maintenance Capability for Air, Ground, Surface, and Submarine EW Systems within one Facility
;Training
Crane is helping the Army to improve their capabilities of countering
improvised explosive device
An improvised explosive device (IED) is a bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action. It may be constructed of conventional military explosives, such as an artillery shell, attached to a detonating mecha ...
s (IED).
;Modeling and Simulation
The Expeditionary Electronic Warfare Division models and simulates: Counter Radio Controlled IED Electronics Warfare (CREW) systems; radio control trigger devices for IEDs; and, the RF prorogation paths involved in the engagement and defeat of RCIEDS, allowing former field tests to be run in a controlled laboratory environment.
The IR/RF Systems Technologies Division's Navy Infrared Countermeasures Effectiveness Laboratory, (NICEL), models and simulates threat IR missile vs. aircraft engagements to support aircraft countermeasure development.
The Maritime Electronic Warfare Systems Division models a systems engineering sustainment system that automates Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems sustainment activities. The model is created using the IBM Rational Rhapsody tool using the SysML modeling language and DoD Application Framework (DoDAF). The sustainment model implements life-cycle activities including logistics delays based on real or proposed replacement part reliabilities, quantities, and locations, along with workflows and processes to support a performance-based sustainment (PBS) solution for Electronic Warfare Systems. Using SysML and DoDAF, the interactions between Crane employees, automated tools, the Electronic Warfare systems, and data to accomplish PBS are simulated.
The Maritime Electronic Warfare Systems Division provides modeling and simulation for shipboard Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems. Scenarios have been constructed to characterize the effects of various threats on EW systems and to develop technology for increasing system performance. Antenna patterns measured in the anechoic environment are used to both enhance models and validate simulations.
Expeditionary Warfare
''"Rapid Response - Proven Solutions"''
''Special Missions supports military forces engaged in Special Operations, Irregular Warfare and Riverine Operations''
;Mobility and Maneuverability
Crane designed, built, and fielded the first Counter-Sniper Enclosure for USAF Force Protection
HMMWVs in six weeks
;Special Munitions and Weapons
Crane is USSOCOM's PM for the development, acquisition, fielding, and sustainment of the SOF Combat Assault Rifle (
SCAR
A scar (or scar tissue) is an area of fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin after an injury. Scars result from the biological process of wound repair in the skin, as well as in other organs, and tissues of the body. Thus, scarring is a ...
)
;Sensors and Communications
SOPMOD
The Special Operations Peculiar MODification (SOPMOD) kit is an accessory system for the M4A1 carbine, CQBR, FN SCAR Mk 16/17, HK416 and other weapons used by United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), though it is not specific to SO ...
has surged more than $60 million in ground combat end items to Special Operations in the field during OIF/OEF
;Training
Crane provided Small Arms operations & maintenance training to over 500 personnel in FY06
;Modeling and Simulation
Special Missions Human Systems Integration activity uses Concept Modeling tools to analyze gunner tasks to provide improved training and testing methods.
The Small Arms Weapons Systems Division utilizes a weapon shock simulator to augment live-fire on weapon accessories and other weapon-mounted electronics to ensure proper survivability. Measured shock profiles from actual weapons are used with the simulator to test the survivability of batteries, electrical connections, and optical components. This division also uses a six-axis platform that simulates sea states for testing auto tracker software. The Electro-Optic Technology Division uses modeling tools in a number of applications. Examples include using a variety of commercially available tools to do the following:
* evaluate the performance of Infrared systems, to accurately predict atmospheric effects on specific optical/electromagnetic wavelengths
* predict turbulence effects on optical transmission and imaging at different altitudes
* simulate a realistic system-level minimum resolvable temperature difference (MRTD) test result
* model laser beam propagation through the atmosphere over the distance to a target
* calculate spatial frequencies based upon range, scene, and sensor
* predict electro-optical sensors and I2 tubes Minimum Resolvable Contrast (MRC)
* predict the Contrast Threshold Function (CTF) of a human interacting with an imaging system in order to predict task range performance
* predict an imaging system modulation transfer function (MTF)
* predict electrooptical weapon and navigation systems performance
* model laser-based active imager performance
* predict mission effectiveness versus sensor system versus environmental conditions
* use Concept Modeling tools to analyze warfighter tasks to provide improved sensors, interfaces, communications, and testing methods
Additional modeling capabilities within the Special Missions Focus Area use common modeling tools (i.e., Finite Element Analysis, MATLAB, COMSOL, etc.) as well as tools developed within the government to better understand electrooptic phenomena, warfighter technology applications, benefits, and trade spaces of new technologies, etc.
History
In the late 1940s, an
ammunition
Ammunition (informally ammo) is the material fired, scattered, dropped, or detonated from any weapon or weapon system. Ammunition is both expendable weapons (e.g., bombs, missiles, grenades, land mines) and the component parts of other we ...
quality evaluation unit was added by the Bureau to expand its quality control system. As the complexity and sophistication of weapons increased in the 1950s and 1960s, Crane's activities, capabilities, and expertise expanded in scope under the newly formed Bureau of Weapons to include small arms, sonobuoy surveillance, microwave tubes,
POLARIS missiles, and other scientific and engineering support to the Bureau.
In the 1960s, Crane came under the command of the newly established
Naval Ordnance Systems Command and began providing technical support for weapons systems including logistics, in-service engineering, repair, overhaul, and design. In the 1970s, Crane's support began to include batteries, rotating components, electronic components, failure analysis, and standard hardware and new technologies related to night vision systems.
In 1974, Crane came under the
Naval Sea Systems Command
The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is the largest of the United States Navy's five "systems commands," or materiel (not to be confused with "material") organizations. From a physical perspective, NAVSEA has four shipyards for shipbuilding, c ...
that was established from the merger of the Naval Ordnance Systems Command and
Naval Ship Systems Command. Shortly after in 1975, Crane's name was changed to the Naval Weapons Support Center which more accurately reflected the true function of the installation.
In 1977, a major change occurred with the designation of the
United States Army
The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, ...
as the single-service manager of conventional ammunition. This resulted in the establishment of the tenant command,
Crane Army Ammunition Activity (CAAA) which took over the loading, assembly, and storage of ammunition at the installation. CAAA and Crane's strong partnership continues today.
In 1992, Crane's name was changed to the Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center when the warfare centers were established under the related systems commands. Today, grown from its ordnance roots, Crane is recognized worldwide as a modern and sophisticated leader in diverse and highly technical product lines.
In 2005, the
Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) is a process by a United States federal government commission to increase United States Department of Defense efficiency by coordinating the realignment and closure of military installations following the end ...
Commission recommended to retain most existing operations at Crane, with weapons and armaments research, development and acquisition, and test and evaluation, but moving gun/ammunition, combat system security, and energetic materials to
Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake
Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake is a large military installation in California that supports the research, testing and evaluation programs of the United States Navy. It is part of Navy Region Southwest under Commander, Navy Installa ...
. This BRAC change resulted in a net loss of 672 civilian jobs from the base.
Tenants
Naval Support Activity Crane hosts a number of different commands and divisions. These are:
* Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division
*
Crane Army Ammunition Activity provides munitions and energetics storage and distribution, and first strike and war reserve ordnance support for the
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense (DoD, USDOD or DOD) is an executive branch department of the federal government charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government directly related to national sec ...
.
* Great Lakes Industrial Hygiene
* Defense Automated Printing Service
*
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
* Defense Commissary Agency Detachment Crane
*
Navy Exchange
* Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office division of
Defense Logistics Agency
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is a combat support agency in the United States Department of Defense (DoD), with more than 26,000 civilian and military personnel throughout the world. Located in 48 states and 28 countries, DLA provides su ...
* Resident Officer In Charge Of Construction (ROICC)
*
Explosive Ordnance Disposal
*
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's eight uniformed services. The service is a maritime, military, m ...
* United States Army Reserve
Joint Test and Assessment Activity
Geography
The base is the third largest naval installation in the world, comprising approximately of territory.
Lake Greenwood, a lake, is entirely encompassed by the base.
White oak wood for reconstruction of the is harvested at this base from a grove of trees known as "Constitution Grove".
See also
*
Naval Surface Warfare Center
*
A Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) is part of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) operated by the United States Navy. NAVSEA Warfare Centers supply the technical operations, people, technology, engineering services and products needed t ...
References
Sources
*
External links
*
Naval Support Activity Crane
{{Coord, 38.8701, N, 86.8344, W, type:landmark_region:US:IN, display=title
Systems command installations of the United States Navy
Greene County, Indiana
Lawrence County, Indiana
Buildings and structures in Martin County, Indiana
Military installations in Indiana
1941 establishments in Indiana