Acceleration of Nuclear Submarine Manufacturing Process

Gecko Robotics will use its advanced weld inspection and data capabilities to help the Navy decrease inspection time and reduce costs during the manufacturing process By Abi Wylie / 23 Nov 2023

Discover Leading Defense Technology Solutions

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Acceleration of Nuclear Submarine Manufacturing Process
Follow DA

Gecko Robotics has made a new demonstration contract with the U.S. Navy to help modernize the manufacturing process for the $132 Billion Columbia-class nuclear submarine program. 

Gecko is a company aiming to ensure the availability, reliability, and sustainability of critical infrastructure, its complete and connected solutions combining wall-climbing robots, industry-leading sensors, and an AI-powered data platform to provide customers with a unique window into the current and future health of their physical assets. 

The company will use its advanced weld inspection and data capabilities to help the Navy decrease inspection time and reduce costs during the manufacturing process, while also providing a baseline of data to improve in-service maintenance cycles. 

The new contract will be executed with BlueForge Alliance, a nonprofit integrator supporting the U.S. Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base. Under this contract, the Navy will incorporate Gecko’s robotic digital weld inspections to assess the integrity of welds during the manufacturing process. 

Digitizing weld inspection results will transform a key manufacturing process for the Columbia-class program, freeing up the skilled workforce for higher value tasks and eliminating the risk of unknown weld conditions. 

The goal of this project will be to validate the return on investment of Gecko’s weld inspection process throughout several tiers of the Columbia-class supply chain.

Jake Loosararian, CEO and Co-founder of Gecko Robotics, said; “We are proud to grow our partnership with the U.S. Navy beyond helping get ships through the maintenance process faster, to providing advanced manufacturing capabilities for the Columbia-class program.

“Demand from customers for more data on the front-end of the manufacturing process to help implement better predictive maintenance is growing – and we’re looking forward to starting this work with the Columbia sub program.”

Posted by Abi Wylie Edited by Abigail Wylie, Editor and Copywriter experienced in digital media with a keen interest in ocean science technology. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Advanced Sonobuoys to Enhance Anti-Submarine Warfare

Thales has signed a contract with the French Defence Procurement Agency to supply the French Navy with several hundred SonoFlash sonobuoys, designed to enhance France's strategic anti-submarine warfare capabilities

Feb 06, 2025
Creomagic Demonstrates Secure Backhaul Technology for Tactical Communications

Creomagic has successfully demonstrated a robust and secure backhaul solution for mobile LTE base stations, leveraging its CreoLand MANET technology in collaboration with a key defense partner

Feb 06, 2025
New Contract to Supply NVGs to British Armed Forces

Instro, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems UK, will supply additional XACT nv33 Night Vision Goggles to the British Armed Forces under a £16 million contract

Feb 06, 2025
Spectrum Control’s Solutions for Managing Electromagnetic Spectrum

Defense Advancement showcases Spectrum Control's solutions including SCi Blocks, RF Conditioning and Distribution, Power Distribution, and EMI Protection

Feb 06, 2025
FlySight to Make Aero India Exhibition Debut with Mission Console & Live ATR Demo

FlySight makes its Aero India debut, showcasing the OPENSIGHT Mission Console and live Automatic Target Recognition, demonstrating cutting-edge AI-driven target detection and mission management capabilities

Feb 05, 2025
INVISIO Enhances Soldier System Integration with Acquisition of Software-Defined Hubs

INVISIO has acquired Ultra PCS’s UltraLYNX™ product line of software-defined hubs for $3.5 million, enhancing soldier-worn device integration and improving interoperability

Feb 05, 2025

Featured Content

Greensea IQ Expands Defense Leadership with Record Growth

After successful contracts for the Bayonet AUGV with the US Navy, US Marine Corps, and foreign militaries, Greensea IQ has closed a record-breaking year of growth in 2024

Jan 31, 2025
Latest Software Bundle Released for ISR Quadcopter

PDW CORE is the latest software package from PDW featuring a user-friendly touch interface, a PDW flight simulator, mission planning tools, an ATAK plug-in, and a laptop-compatible C100 updater

Jan 30, 2025
Revector’s Latest 4-Channel Covert Solution for Tactical Operations

Revector’s newly launched IMSI locator, the 4-channel Portable Covert Unit 2.0, delivers improved performance, flexibility, and rugged design, tailored for demanding security, defense, and search-and-rescue operations

Jan 27, 2025
Galvion Releases New Helmets for Military & SAR

Galvion is exhibiting new helmets at SHOT Show 2025 in Las Vegas, The Batlskin Hellbender TE (Tactical Edition) and the Batlskin Caiman SAR (Search and Rescue)

Jan 23, 2025
What is MIL-DTL-38999?

Micropol breaks down the definition, benefits, and roles of the MIL-DTL-38999 connector, a robust and reliable cornerstone in modern military and aerospace connectivity

Jan 21, 2025
Tyto Robotics Releases the Flight Stand 60 for Precision Testing

The Flight Stand 60 Engine Test Stand by Tyto Robotics offers a precise, versatile solution for testing internal combustion engines and propellers, providing detailed performance measurements and optimization capabilities

Jan 17, 2025