THE NAVY CHLOROFLUOROCARBON HALON PROGRAM

The Naval Sea Systems Command is executing a three-phase program to ensure compliance with national regulations, DoD policy, and Navy instructions mandating the phase-out of CFC and Halon use by the Navy. The Navy uses significant quantities of CFCs and Halon as solvents, refrigerants, and fire-fighting agents both in military operations and through specifications and contracts for weapons and support equipment. Phase one of the program plan will be to conserve chemicals through reclaiming and recycling, and by establishing and maintaining a chemical inventory of CFCs and Halons. Phase two will research, develop, and test substitute chemicals and alternative technologies for existing CFC uses. This research will be pursued through Navy and government laboratories, cooperation with chemical and equipment manufacturers, and by participation in government/industry consortiums. Finally, phase three will deploy the replacement chemicals and new technologies into the fleet, and institutionalize the conservation measures developed in phase one. This paper discusses in detail the three phases of the Navy program, and relates the Navy effort to DoD policy, the Montreal Protocol, and Congressional legislation. Unique Navy concerns, research initiatives, and vintaging scenarios for existing equipment are presented.