DCN: 7533
Chemical and Biological Defense Realignment (MED-15)
This paper addresses the issues of realigning Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane's Chemical
Biological Defense (CBD) Development and Acquisition functions to Edgewood Chemical
Biological Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
In summary, the CBD realignment from Crane to Aberdeen seems to have little or, probably,
negative value: 1) It doesn't materially increase Aberdeen's (or DOD's) development expertise or
capacity; 2) it does increase risk by reducing the capability to responsively support the
warfighter; 3) it doesn't have any significant cost benefits; and, 4) it does lower the effectiveness
of a key homeland defense union.
First: Crane's CBD expertise and functions do not overlap, duplicate or match those at
Aberdeen.
The Crane CBD organization is devoted to CBD sustainment. This effort includes:
fr Acquisition of Navy legacy CBD systems
fr Acquisition Engineering support for Navy CBD systems, which leverages extensive
knowledge and experience with marine and shipboard environments. This is also co-located and
draws on expertise gained from similar electro-optic Navy systems.
fr Shipboard installation of CBD systems, which leverages Crane's extensive shipboard
installation expertise in systems ranging from electro-optics to electronic warfare.
o Maritime sensor installation requirements are significantly different due to shipboard
chemical interferents and high radiation effect considerations.
r In-Service Engineering support of Navy CBD systems:
o Direct fleet support of engineering, technical and logistics issues
o Development, delivery and maintenance of Navy training plans and materials
o Shipboard technical assistance
o Product improvement plans, engineering change proposals and obsolescence studies of
fielded Navy and CBD systems
fr Integrated logistics support of Navy CBD systems
I Repair and maintenance of CBD systems
Crane has the Navy unique support structure required to execute the CBD sustainment function.
This includes: Distance Support Capability, the virtual expert assistance given to the fleet world
wide through interactive technology; Fleet collaborative reporting and tracking capability; and,
co-located Navy supply system, a Fleet Industrial Supply Center (FISC).
Although Crane's engineering work was "binned" into the D&A category, that misrepresents the
focus of the Crane CBD organization. Crane's focus is one of operational readiness and
responsiveness as opposed to acquiring current and developing future capability and consists of
efforts which are:
> In-service engineering, logistics support, and repair oriented
f Focused on legacy and fielded Navy systems, drawing on extensive knowledge of shipboard
and marine environments
f Focused on new, joint systems as the Navy acquisition engineering agent, in-service
engineering agent, installer, and repair depot

Crane has no significant CBD RDA workload!