The primary contractor for the U.S. Navy’s nuclear propulsion program, BPMI, recently announced that it has partnered with Gecko Robotics to introduce groundbreaking advanced manufacturing technologies aimed at enhancing the quality and production efficiency of components used in U.S. Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines.
According to reports, BPMI and its suppliers are utilizing Gecko’s robotics and artificial intelligence platform to shorten the inspection cycle from basic forgings to complex final component manufacturing. Initial tests indicate that Gecko’s solutions can reduce the inspection cycle for forged components by up to 90%, significantly lowering costs and accelerating project timelines.
Additionally, Gecko is collaborating with BPMI to build digital twins of critical components, providing authorized stakeholders with intuitive data records that include complete manufacturing health histories for full lifecycle support of the components. This approach will optimize maintenance planning and reduce long-term maintenance costs, minimizing unexpected repair needs throughout the component lifecycle due to optimized manufacturing history data chains.
The quality assurance and inspection processes for components used in the U.S. Navy fleet are crucial, but previously relied heavily on manual labor, which was very time-consuming. By introducing robotics and advanced technologies into this process, Gecko can reduce the inspection time for key forged components from weeks to days. The new shipbuilding inspection method developed by Gecko and BPMI aims to set industry standards through data-driven manufacturing approaches.
BPMI President and General Manager Barb Staniscia stated, “Our collaboration with Gecko Robotics demonstrates the powerful potential of connecting suppliers with advanced manufacturing technologies within the U.S. defense industrial base. The innovations from Gecko Robotics will shorten production cycles while maintaining quality standards among suppliers in the industrial base, thereby having a lasting and profound impact on the U.S. Navy and national security.”
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Bechtel Plant Machinery, Inc. (BPMI) is the primary contractor for the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP). The company received a $252.4 million contract in 2021 to provide nuclear propulsion components for U.S. Navy submarines and aircraft carriers, and in 2023, it secured a $772.3 million contract to supply power plant components for U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines, effective until September 2033.
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