Contracting and Project Management of Complex Equipment

As the sole builder of nuclear aircraft carriers for the U.S. Navy, Northrop Grumman Newport News relies heavily on the 900-metric-ton Goliath gantry crane to assembly the 162 critical "super lifts" that compose a completed carrier structure. Prior to 1999, it was apparent that the 25-year-old crane needed a major overhaul. When the project was funded in 1999, Newport News assembled a team composed of engineering, maintenance, and operations to perform detailed design, develop the specification, manage the bidding process, and manage the project. Capital constraints on the project required the team to collaborate with suppliers to move portions of the project scope back to Newport News, reducing risk for the suppliers and reducing capital costs for Newport News. This team/collaboration approach proved successful as the project was completed on schedule and within budget.