WASHINGTON, D.C. - BPMI, a defense prime contractor for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, has partnered with Gecko Robotics to introduce groundbreaking advanced manufacturing technology that supports the production of high- quality components installed aboard U.S. Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines. BPMI and its suppliers are working to leverage Gecko’s robotic and AI platforms to reduce inspection time spans on items ranging from simple forgings to complex final component manufacture. Through initial trials, inspection spans for forged components were reduced by up to 90%, significantly improving cost and accelerating schedule performance for the U.S Navy.
Through this advanced manufacturing partnership, Gecko is collaborating with BPMI to build digital twins of critical components, providing intuitive data records with full manufacturing health history for authorized stakeholders to enable life of component support. This approach will optimize maintenance planning and potentially reduce long-term maintenance costs, reducing the likelihood of unplanned repairs needed over a component’s lifetime due to an improved digital thread containing component manufacturing history.
Gecko’s technological advancements, brought forward by BPMI for the U.S. Navy, will breathe new life and efficiency into the shipbuilding industry, which is accelerating due to the great power competition.
“Rebuilding the American Defense Industrial Base must start with having the right data – and knowing how to use it,”said Jake Loosararian, Co-founder and CEO of Gecko Robotics. “While America is building incredible technology across the defense space, they all have one thing in common – the need for parts and components we can trust. Gecko’s partnership with BPMI is about transforming American shipbuilding by interrogating the integrity of each component and building a digital thread that will improve the manufacturing process while also fundamentally changing how we operate assets throughout their lifecycles. We are proud to partner with BPMI to spearhead the digital transformation of our defense industrial base."
Barb Staniscia, BPMI President and General Manager, shares, “Our partnership with Gecko Robotics showcases the power of connecting suppliers and advanced manufacturing technologies within the U.S. Defense Industrial Base. Gecko Robotics’ advancements will reduce the time span while maintaining the quality standards for suppliers across the industrial base—adding up to lasting and impactful effects for the U.S. Navy and our national security.”
Quality assurance and testing of parts used for the U.S. Navy’s fleet is a crucial, yet time consuming process when using manual methods. Gecko’s introduction to the process with its robots and advanced technology has shown the potential to reduce the inspection time span for critical forged components from several weeks to days. Gecko and BPMI’s new approach to shipbuilding inspections aim to set an industry standard with data-driven approaches to manufacturing.
About BPMI
Bechtel Plant Machinery, Inc. (BPMI) is a prime contractor for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program (NNPP). BPMI is involved in the design, purchase, quality control, and delivery of major propulsion plant components for installation in nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, submarines, and prototype plants for the U.S. Navy. Teamwork, cooperation, and the pursuit of excellence have been the driving forces behind the growth and success of BPMI. For more information, visit www.bpmionline.com.
About Gecko Robotics
Gecko is transforming how the world’s most critical organizations build, operate and maintain their critical infrastructure. By combining the predictive power of AI, with the granularity of robotically-collected data layers, Gecko empowers decision making at scale for a more reliable and sustainable future. For more information, visit www.geckorobotics.com.
Media Contact:
Steve Bourner
Steve.Bourner@geckorobotics.com
+1 347-686-1313