Fleet Introduction Project for the United States Navy's Next Generation Bathythermograph Recorder System

The following report presents the preliminary design and prototype development phase of a technology insertion program implemented by this author to extend the service life and to improve the performance of the United States Navy's Bathythermograph Data Recorder System onboard Submarines (AN/BQH-7) and Surface Ships (AN/BQH-7A). The performance upgrade will increase the Fleet User's ability to measure sonar performance and will provide more accurate salinity measurements used for submarine ballasting and control. This project is unique not necessarily because Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) and Non-Developmental Item (NDI) componentry is being used but because the focus is on developing a systems engineering process model for (1) the implementation of COTS and NDI technologies in an open systems architecture environment, (2) a maintenance, sparing, and life cycle support model for COTS and NDI programs, and (3) a periodic technology insertion plan for keeping pace with COTS and NDI technology advances and configuration changes. It is intended that this report be used in the future as a good example of the successful implementation of Acquisition Reform and DoD 5000.2B initiatives.