MMC Boeing Script
Draft 4
It's a powerful combination: Marinette Marine Corporation, a worldwide leader in ship
design and construction, and The Boeing Company, a pioneer in advanced rotorcraft
technology and systems integration.
These two distinguished firms have teamed to capture the U.S. Navy's Ship-to-Shore
Connector. The goal? To replace the current Landing Craft Air Cushion with a lowercost, higher-availability, next-generation platform.
So, exactly what is the Ship-to-Shore Connector, and what makes Marinette and Boeing
uniquely qualified to meet the stringent requirements of the SSC, a battlefield support
system so vital to our nation's defense? The answer may be found in the nature of the
machine itself. The SSC is essentially a low-flying rotorcraft designed to carry heavy
loads. This mission plays right into Boeing's strengths for innovative heavy-lift rotorcraft.
And it’s a perfect fit for Marinette Marine, whose shipbuilding portfolio includes the U.S
Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship, the Improved Navy Lighterage System, mine
countermeasure vessels and ocean tugs, as well as U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers,
buoy tenders and response vessels.
Marinette’s Richard McCrary explains:
(Suggested sound byte for Richard McCreary.
Title graphic: President and CEO Marinette Marine Corporation)
In the process of creating this team, we carefully considered all of the innovative and
unique requirements the Navy has outlined for this platform.
Our group combines
Fincantieri's world-class expertise in naval architecture and ship construction with
Boeing's advanced rotorcraft systems, and Boeing’s unrivaled integration and program
management expertise.
Boeing, as a leader in rotorcraft technology and expert in
systems reliability and durability is in perfect synergy with MMCs considerable
capabilities and experience in modular aluminum construction.
Marinette Marine Corporation was founded along the Menominee River in Marinette,
Wisconsin in 1942 in order to meet America's growing demand for naval construction.
From humble beginnings with a contract to build five wooden barges, MMC has grown
into a world-class shipbuilder, having designed and built more than 1,300 vessels.
MMC is internationally recognized for innovative engineering and its highly efficient,
modular, subassembly and assembly-line manufacturing methods. This sophistication in
construction methods has allowed Marinette to build some of the most technologically
advanced vessels on the planet.
MMC Shipyard facilities are impressive.
Rolling Graphics:
• 300,000 sq. ft. of heated indoor production area
• 53,000 sq. ft. of secure indoor warehouse and receiving area
• 2,500 long ton MILSTD certified ship launchways
• 1,600 ton ship transport system
• Heavy Lift Capabilities
• Computer Controlled Manufacturing Equipment
Suggested sound byte for Duane Roehm.
Title graphic: Vice President Program Management and Planning
The ability to construct the SSC almost entirely indoors plays a major role in the quality
of the finished product and the speed and efficiency at which it can be produced. And, it
directly impacts the bottom-line in meeting strict production schedules and avoiding
costly weather delays.
At MMC, efficiencies in production are achieved by constructing the vessels in a climate
controlled environment in a systematic series of panels, modules, and blocks. This
technique allows the modules and blocks to be pre-outfitted to a very high degree, while
internal compartments are still very accessible. Quality control and a rigorous inspection
schedule are built into every stage.
Suggested additional sound byte for Duane Roehm.
Title graphic: None
The advantages to MMC modular construction are many:
It means the SSC has
reduced life cycle costs in repair and maintenance manhours. It means quicker craft
availability. And it means that the modular design facilitates battle damage repair and
future craft modifications or upgrades.
Importantly, Marinette Marine is part of the Fincantieri Marine Group, a subsidiary of
Fincantieri, with a history dating back 200 years, and a track record of producing more
than 7,000 ships.
Fincantieri’s plans for the marine group include a significant capital investment aimed at
increasing shipyard automation and manufacturing efficiency.
The Boeing rotorcraft facility in Mesa, Ariz., is one of the world's leading
producers of military rotorcraft systems, offering the AH-64D Apache Longbow
multi-mission combat helicopter to the U.S. Army and allies around the globe.
The rotorcraft site, which opened its doors in 1982, is also a major supplier of
subassemblies for other commercial and military Boeing aircraft products, and is
developing high-technology innovations for future rotorcraft applications such as
the SSC.
Suggested sound byte for Boeing representative #1.
Title graphic: Boeing representative title
Boeing brings a set of highly evolved design processes used on numerous commercial
and government platforms. This includes developing and testing enhanced face gear
tooth forms, grinding machine refinements, advanced gear steels, split-torque main
transmission, corrosion resistant materials and coatings, and composite materials
production. Our gearbox and shafting design features lead to efficient and reliable drive
configurations with increased power density. This means maximizing power delivery
efficiency and minimizing installation volume and weight.
The Arizona facility has nearly 4,500 highly skilled employees. The company is
headquartered in a two-million-square-foot complex 20 miles east of Phoenix.
Here, Boeing operates one of the world's most advanced flight simulation
facilities that enables company designers and engineers to evaluate new
avionics, crew station designs or mission software long before they're ever flown
in an operational environment.
Suggested sound byte for Boeing representative #2.
Title graphic: Boeing representative title
Boeings worldwide facilities network provides 24/7 global support capabilities for the
Ship to Shore Conector. Combining this fact with Boeing’s systems integration and
engineering expertise addresses the U.S. Navy’s need for value engineering and
reduced life-cycle costs.
The design specifications on the SSC are exacting: It must operate day and night in a
variety of sea states and in a variety of environments. The MMC-Boeing SSC reduces
crew workload and improves situational awareness through technological advances in
navigation and communication. Its pilot/co-pilot command deck replaces the LCAC’s
need for a craftmaster, navigator and engineer. Marinette’s Terry Etnyre knows
something about naval warfare and the capabilities of the MMS Boeing Ship-to-Shore
Connector.
(Suggested sound bytes for Terrance T. Etnyre.
Title graphic: Vice Admiral, USN (Ret)
Vice President Government Programs, Marinette Marine Corporation)
The SSC will provide high speed, over the horizon, heavy lift capability to transport
personnel, equipment, and material for the United States Marine Corps' Marine
Expeditionary Brigade. The SSC will have the ability to operate in the well decks of U.S.
Navy amphibious ships; operate in planned amphibious and Maritime Prepositioning
Force ships; operate over beaches, ice, mud, and marsh areas; operate in inland
regions, ascend a beach gradient of five degrees from standstill, and transport a cargo
load of approximately 73-75 short tons. All of this at speeds exceeding 40 knots and
packed with next generation communications and navigation technology--she’s a very
capable craft.
Suggested sound byte for Gordy Lepisto.
Title graphic: SSC Program Manager
The SSC must be able to withstand conditions compatible with the harsh marine
environment--sand, rain, or sea water spray--and operate in temperatures of 120
degrees farenheit. The MMC Boeing team will provide innovative coating solutions that
address resistance to corrosion, erosion, and impact for aluminum and composite
materials. That’s extremely important for a craft with an expected service-life of 30
years.
And that’s our case.
MMC-Boeing is a cost-effective SSC solution, providing
affordability, availability, maintainability and total life-cycle global support. The
credentials of the two firms are impeccable, with vessel construction, marine
engineering and naval architecture expertise that are recognized worldwide. They bring
to the table a hand-picked project team focused on rapid design, build and delivery,
backed by experts with extensive experience in modern naval warfare.
Marinette Marine and The Boeing Company have something else in common...a shared
commitment in defense of freedom.