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Atmospheric monitoring is one of the most important elements in life support aboard U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. The Central Atmosphere Monitoring Systems have reliably served the U.S. Navy by accurately monitoring life gases and contaminants for nearly 30 years. However, as new knowledge of chemical effects on human health increases, the demand for monitoring additional compounds in these closed environments is also increasing. As a result, expanded capability for detecting trace compounds becomes more important and a next-generation monitoring system is warranted. In addition to improved analytical performance, the trend for submarine operation is to increase the degree of distribution and automation to minimize the resources needed for operation and maintenance. It is therefore desirable to incorporate the monitoring instrumentation into the atmosphere control system to provide real-time feedback and automated control.

The primary purpose of the ventilation system onboard US Navy submarines is to condition and move air throughout the ship to maintain design conditions in all compartments. A second and equally important function of the system is to emergency ventilate any compartment within the ship. The emergency ventilate mode is the means used for evacuation of a specific compartment of atmospheric contaminants such as smoke, toxic gas or other objectionable or noxious gases. In this mode, a supply of fresh air is established into the effected compartment while a second path is established to exhaust its content. This paper will discuss the ship's normal ventilation system, emergency ventilation system, and emergency air breathing system.

Within the total submarine system, the life support system assumes a position which is equal in importance to the propulsion, weapons, and navigation systems. Without an efficient and reliable life support system, the other ship systems and the personnel who operate and maintain them cannot function to their full capabilities during extended periods of submergence. As a result of new requirements, new technology, and poor fleet performance, the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) has developed new life support equipment that improves reliability, safety, operability, and capability. NAVSEA has developed, prototyped, successfully tested, and placed into production a new atmosphere analyzer and a new oxygen generator. This paper will address the US Navy's life support system design parameters, an overview of existing life support system, reasons for change, concept development and testing of new equipment, transition to production, and production and fleet implementation.