The are the Mobile Battalion of Naval Construction 1 have landed at the Naval Base of Rota, in Cádiz, to carry out a key mission: the second phase of evaluation of the expeditionary stability system FAUN Trackway. For 8 days, the equipment will test this technology with the aim of verifying its effectiveness in real conditions and its ability to facilitate operations in soft, damaged or flooded land.
“This evaluation reinforces our preparation for high -level expeditionary operations in diverse environments,” says the head of underwater construction of the Naval Construction Regiment 22, David Madmon, in one.
He FAUN Trackway System It is designed to open temporary paths that allow the passage of heavy vehicles and machinery on sandy or poor condition. In addition, it can function as a submerged ramp for the exit and bearing from other vessels and trailers, a key functionality in port repair operations.
To check the true potential of the military system, the Seabees They subject it to all types of extreme tests that replicate real operation scenarios. “What we do here in Rota allows us Seabees In innovation and improvement of the marine’s expeditionary capacity, “said Madmon.
This test phase is based on a first evaluation carried out in 2024 in the city of Liepaja, in Latvia. On that occasion, all the tests were carried out in controlled conditions, while in Rota natural obstacles such as large rocks, water crosses and unpredictable weather changes will be taken into account.
Among the objectives of this test are the verification of the stability of the system to allow the safe traffic of heavy vehicles, as well as its functionality as a submerged ramp for the deployment and recovery of boats. Its resistance will also be evaluated against adverse conditions such as tides, coastal currents and prolonged exposure to salt water. In addition, its durability will be measured without requiring maintenance and the different deployment methods will be analyzed, both manually and with civil engineering equipment.
“This goes beyond a test, it is an opportunity to improve our operation,” said the project manager of the construction company of NMCB 1 in the Naval Base of Rota, Justin Sneed. “Working in a challenging environment allows us to guarantee that this system meets the demands of the expeditionary missions,” he added.
The Engineering and War Center (EXWC) supports this evaluation to ensure that the system fits the established specifications and address aspects that were unsolved in the initial phase of tests in Latvia. “These evaluations allow us to equip our sailors with the best tools to fulfill their mission effectively and efficiently,” explained Exwc’s systems engineer, Fatou Cisse Djigal.
