Spectro Scientific lands $9.6m US Navy contract
US tech firm Spectro Scientific has been awarded a $9.6m contract to supply fluid analysis equipment to the US Navy. Spectro will manufacture, test and deliver as many as 69 spectrometers as part of an upgrade of the Navy's oil analysis programmes, as well as providing technical data, logistics support and maintenance supplies. The company's device is the only oil elemental analyser approved by the US Department of Defense.

Spectro Scientific, one of the world’s largest suppliers of oil, fuel, and processed-water analysis instrumentation and software, has won a $9.6 million contract from the U.S. Navy to provide fluid analysis equipment and support. In another recognition, the Office of Naval Research named Spectro personnel as finalists for proposing a portable fluid analysis system in a Concept Challenge competition aimed at developing innovative ideas to support the Navy and Marine Corps of the future.

Under the contract with the Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), Spectro will manufacture, test and deliver up to 69 model M-N/W SpectrOil RDE spectrometers to replace and upgrade the Navy and Marine Corp’s oil analysis programs. Technical data, logistics support documents, initial consumables, and maintenance kits/parts will be included. The atomic emission rotrode M-N/W SpectrOil spectrometer is the only oil elemental analyser approved by the US Department of Defense (DoD) Joint Oil Analysis Program (JOAP). It is a compact, rugged, transportable and easy-to-use spectrometer designed to detect and measure metals, contaminants and additives in lubricants, hydraulic fluids and coolants. Accurate, on-site fluid analysis facilitates establishment of proactive maintenance programs and protects crucial mechanical assets from unanticipated failure.

Separately, in recognition of Spectro’s response to a call from Chief of Naval Research (CNR) Rear Admiral David J. Hahn for innovative ideas on how to keep naval ships, aircraft and personnel at peak readiness, Spectro Vice President of Government Programs Robert Yurko and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Patrick Henning were named finalists for their work in the “Enhancement of a Portable Comprehensive Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) Tool for Aviation Fluid Analysis.”

Mr. Yurko and Dr. Henning join representatives of eight other organisations as finalists in the CNR Concept Challenge. The variety of ideas generated will be applied to benefit the Navy and other branches of the armed services.

Spectro has collaborated closely with the armed services for more than 30 years, working initially with the DoD and JOAP on early versions of SpectrOil technology. Mr. Yurko said, “The contract from NAWCAD confirms that the US Navy places a high value on the quality, reliability and support provided by Spectro fluid analysis technology as it ensures the availability and flight safety of critical aviation assets.” Regarding his and Dr. Henning’s selection as CNR Concept Challenge finalists, Mr. Yurko added, “This recognition illustrates Spectro’s longstanding and continuing commitment to developing advanced technology solutions for maintainers of aviation platforms as well as equipment across the entire U.S. armed forces.”

Spectro Scientific specialises in analytical instrumentation and software for machine condition monitoring. It is one of the largest global suppliers of oil and fuel analysis instruments to industry and the military worldwide. Industry clients include petrochemical, mining and power generation companies as well as commercial testing laboratories. Spectro Scientific’s extensive product offerings include spectrometers for wear metal analysis, lubricant degradation and contamination analysers, particle analysis instruments and complete turnkey systems for oil or fuel analysis laboratories, all managed by its SpectroTrack or LubeTrak software platforms.