QUANTICO, Va. -- Twenty project and product managers with Combat Support Systems (CSS) recently visited Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., to learn about the storage, maintenance, and testing of new ground ammunition weapons systems.
The tour included military and civilian personnel from CSS management offices, fostering collaboration and enabling cross-program comparisons.
“The site visit to NWS Yorktown was an eye-opening experience for the Marines and civilians involved in developing lifecycle requirements for new ground missile systems encompassing everything from maintenance and testing to storage and loading,” said Explosives Safety Specialist Michael James.
Throughout the event, product managers had the opportunity to ask questions directly to technical experts, including discussions about missile conversions and storage strategies. This one-on-one engagement with NWS Yorktown technicians enabled participants to deepen their understanding of missile handling and safety protocols.
Michael James, who organized the tour, highlighted the significance of the facility’s procedures and operations, which provided invaluable insight into the versatility and adaptability of these weapon systems.
“I enjoyed the Yorktown tour and found it very informative,” said Marine Corps Systems Command Product Manager for Ammo John Swain. “I was particularly interested in the handling of this type of ordnance due to projects that are similar in scope and size that I may be assisting with in the near future.”
Swain also said their visit provided critical knowledge as the weapons systems and how they’ll be employed for future operations.
“I would be interested in other tours based on the content and how or if it somehow ties into some similar themes as the items that I am working on,” said Swain.
The mission of CSS is to equip and sustain the Fleet Marine Force with combat engineer equipment, individual combat equipment, ammunition, medical, and maintenance systems and solutions to enable lethality.