Security Levels


 

  National Threat Level: Elevated


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LORAN SUPPORT UNIT
Wildwood, NJ
LSU C1 Building

MISSION:


The Loran Support Unit (LSU) is the United States Coast Guard’s “Center of Excellence” for the Loran-C System. To ensure constant attention is paid to reducing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), the LSU works extensively with the Office of Electronic Systems (CG-64) and the Office of Electronic Navigation (CG-54132) at Coast Guard Headquarters, the Navigation Center (NAVCEN), the Engineering Logistics Center (ELC), Training Center Petaluma and Academia including the Coast Guard Academy, Stanford University, Ohio University and the University of Rhode Island. In coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the LSU through the Loran Recapitilization Project (LRP) is leveraging congressionally mandated funds to replace the legacy 1960-1970’s generation equipment suites operating at the Coast Guard operated Loran-C Stations. The new systems should enable a sharp reduction in operating costs including the possible reduction of the number of personnel stationed at Loran-C Stations. The LSU, as the Loran-C Systems Management and Engineering Facility (SMEF) and the Intermediate Support facility for all US Loran facilities, supports three Control Stations (2 US, one Canadian), 29 Loran-C stations and 29 Primary Chain Monitor Set (PCMS) sites throughout North America. International agreements also require that we provide support to our Canadian and Russian neighbors, with whom we share radio navigation responsibilities across our common land and sea borders.

Congressional and FAA Initiatives: The LSU is currently researching, engineering and installing $119M worth of work mandated by Congress to modernize current Loran-C systems and funded through an inter-agency agreement with the FAA. Completed work includes the installation of an Automatic Blink System (ABS), installation of a station C2 and backup communications system, and the replacement of the Cesium frequency standards and the Austron 2000 receivers at all Loran stations. The Austron 5000 receivers with their controlling PDP-8 computers have been replaced at the 29 PCMS sites. All legacy and new solid-state transmitter stations have had their operations room and transmitter room Uninterruptible Power Supply systems installed as well as new RF Switch cabinets. Installation of Time of Transmission Monitors at all Master stations has been completed. Nine of the 13 Tube Type Transmitters (TTX) replacements have been installed with four stations remaining in Alaska. The new Timing and Frequency Equipment suite has been installed at all stations save the four remaining TTX stations in Alaska

Unit performance goals:
In our capacity as the SMEF for Loran-C, LSU’s goal is to provide the superior support necessary for all LORSTAs, PCMS sites and CONSTAs to maintain >99.7% as stipulated in the Federal Radionavigation System plan.

Link to Radionavigation System plan: https://navcen.uscg.gov/pubs/frp2001/frs2001.pdf

The LSU contributes directly to the CG’s Performance Goal M1 (Aids to Navigation) by providing mariners with highly accurate, continuous, navigation capabilities 99.7% of the time. The LSU efforts are directly linked to the Commandant’s Direction, fulfilling his desire to provide superior support for our units, leading and participating in ONEDOT initiatives, and improving outcomes by investing in technology.
 

Radiological Survey:

There have been recent discussions in the Loran Community regarding the AN/FPN-44 and AN/FPN-45 transmitters, which were a source of ionizing radiation (x-rays) to CG members working at LORAN stations and who were potentially exposed during preventive maintenance and other work.

The Coast Guard assembled a team and equipment to conduct an assessment of the AN/FPN-44 transmitter, the only type of transmitter remaining in service in the Coast Guard today. The study was conducted from October – November 2008 at the Loran Support Unit and the results will forthcoming.
 

 

Last Modified 1/7/2010