Boeing marked the opening April 26 of a new Electrostatically Supported Gyro repair line at the company’s Heath, Ohio, facility.
The new line increases the capability of the skilled workforce and equipment already in place for the repair and maintenance of the U.S. Navy’s Electrostatically Supported Gyro Navigator (ESGN, or Trident Navigation System).
“As the sole supplier of navigators for the U.S. Navy’s ballistic missile submarine fleet, we believe this new line will allow for a long-range sustainable advantage in product maintenance while we develop the next generation of ultra-high-precision inertial systems,” said Joe Carlin, vice president of Boeing subsidiary Argon ST.
A key component of all Navy Trident submarines, the ESGN, which started production more than three decades ago, is the world’s most accurate inertial navigation system. The new facility includes approximately 14,000 square feet of space dedicated to the ESG Stable Platform Housing refurbishment and test program, as well as space for modification, repair, maintenance and storage.
“Ohio class submarines have been patrolling the world’s oceans with the Trident II (D5) missile system for 30 years, serving as a credible strategic deterrence against enemies,” said Rear Admiral Terry J. Benedict, director of the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs. “The Electrostatically Supported Gyro Navigator has successfully supported this mission by supplying the Trident Weapon System with critical information.”
Today’s event also celebrated Boeing’s commitment to the Heath community. Boeing made $4 million in improvements and upgrades at the facility, which also received investments from the Ohio Department of Development, the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority, and American Electric Power. The Heath facility is Boeing’s Center of Excellence for maintenance, repair and overhaul of guidance and navigation systems, inertial instruments and platforms.
Under the current contract, Argon ST employees are scheduled to conduct ESG repair and maintenance at the facility until 2025.
