LS TB9660 wheel blast machine, to benefit all navy surface repair programs from emavs through modernization projects and all types in between

The Department of the Navy Naval Sea Systems Command awarded BAE Systems Maritime Solutions Norfolk Inc. (doing business as Norshipco) $167,690 on September 30, 2025, under the Improvement of Navy Ship Repair or Alterations Capability Program (CFDA 12.031) to procure an LS TB9660 Wheel Blast Machine for surface preparation across all Navy surface repair programs.

The wheel blast machine will clean, strip, and finish metal surfaces—particularly wheels, axles, and other rounded or cylindrical parts—using abrasive media such as steel shot or grit combined with compressed air to remove dirt, rust, scale, and old coatings. The equipment replaces manual hand blasting methods and, in some cases, shot peening operations, benefiting Navy surface repair work from EMavs through modernization projects.

Performance is scheduled to complete by May 12, 2026, with place of performance in Norfolk, Virginia. The assistance type is a Project Grant.

A wheel blast machine is a type of surface preparation equipment used to clean, strip, and finish metal surfaces, particularly wheels, axles, and other rounded or cylindrical parts. The machine uses a combination of abrasive media, such as steel shot or grit, and compressed air to blast away dirt, rust, scale, and old coatings from the surface of the part. This will replace hand blasting and in some cases shot peening.