APFIT Director Tours TRFB: Looks at new technologies the command is piloting

APFIT Director Tours TRFB: Looks at new technologies the command is piloting

By Lonnie CollierTRFB

The Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) Program Manager, Mr. Devin Bohanan, visited Trident Refit Facility, Bangor (TRFB), on July 26.

APFIT, a pilot program that began Fiscal Year 2022, provides procurement funding for innovative projects that have completed development and are ready to transition into operational use. According to the Department of Defense, the purpose of APFIT is to expeditiously transition technologies to production, and accelerate the fielding of needed technologies to the warfighter, with priority given to technologies developed by small businesses or nontraditional defense contractors.

Funding amounts of $10M-$50M are awarded to projects with small business or non-traditional performers to accelerate initial production and reduce the overall procurement timeline. APFIT falls under the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), who selects which innovation programs to support. One of those innovative programs are at TRFB.

During his visit, Bohanan toured TRFB facilities and watched multiple demonstrations of the advanced technologies currently used at TRFB. One of those demonstrations highlighted how plasma blast is used to remove paint from surfaces. Previously, a tool known as the needle gun was used to remove the paint, however, plasma blast has proven to be a safer and much faster method to remove paint on the surface of vessels. The use of plasma blast on submarines and other vessels has resulted in faster turnaround times on maintenance.

"We've been impressed with the command since we were first introduced following the FY 2022 APFIT selection," said Bohanan.

Since its inception in 2022, APFIT has provided over $540 million to 40 projects across the Department of Defense, with the Department of the Navy receiving over $170 million to help move their projects from development into production. These partnerships simultaneously strengthen the industrial base and encourage other businesses with critical, cutting-edge technologies to work with the Navy in the future.

Impressed with the constant innovation at TRFB, Bohanan reflected on the impact the TRFB team had since being selected for APFIT funding in FY2022.

"It was great to see a small team driving the use of innovative technologies to achieve significant benefits for the Navy," said Bohanan. "Prior to the APFIT award, there were no 'Plasma Blast' systems in active use across the Department of Defense. Now, these systems can be found in use at 26 sites spanning multiple military forces. The tenacity of the TRF team helped make this possible and the Office of the Secretary of Defense greatly appreciates their efforts."