The US Navy has started the Wartime Acquisition Scalable Plan (WASP) tabletop exercise at Washington Navy Yard to improve the readiness of ships in a conflict environment.

The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) has taken charge of mobile logistics and the development of emergent repair concept of operations for the WASP exercise.

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Designed to identify gaps in the effectiveness of logistics, the exercise involves simulation of battle damage in a wartime environment on an Aegis destroyer (DDG) and Ship Self Defense System on an amphibious-class ship (LHD).

During the WASP exercise, the navy will focus on product support, contract strategies, fleet readiness and emergent repair and other key areas.

NAVSEA Integrated Warfare Systems programme executive officer rear admiral Doug Small referred to the event as a ‘Fight Tonight’ effort.

NSWC PHD logistics management specialist Danielle Ruiz said: “The desired outcome is to assess and analyse current in-service engineering Agent capabilities and identify gaps in logistics effectiveness across all possible elements.

“The idea is that this assessment and analysis will be repeatable for programmes across the command and produce outcomes that lead to actionable programme decisions in order to plan and prepare for agility, resiliency and recovery afloat in the event of a high-end fight.”

In addition to the industry-base acquisition process, the WASP focuses on the processes concerning the repair of ships in theatre to ensure they rejoin the battle quickly, fleet supportability manager Mike Kinberg stated.

The navy expects to use process improvements and feedback from the WASP exercise for incorporation across the fleet.

The WASP effort was originally launched last year to ‘identify and address acquisition vulnerabilities and readiness in transitioning from peacetime to a wartime scenario’.

Finalised recommendations are expected to be presented this month. Another WASP exercise is scheduled to be held later on in the year.