ATLANTA, August 28 -- The US Navy is using laser proximity measurement systems developed by Laser Atlanta for maintaining a safe distance between ships during underway replenishment (UNREP). UNREP is a broad term applied to all methods of transferring fuel, munitions, supplies and personnel from one ship to another during naval operations, for example when mobile supply ships transport supplies and fuel to ships at sea. UNREP navigation control requires a line strung between the side-by-side vessels to mark intership spacing, a taxing process for ship personnel. Laser Atlanta said it incorporated a billboard display that continuously reports the distance between ships to personnel of both ships, adapted to withstand the harsh environment of heavy sea spray and fog. The billboard allows clear sight from both ships of the distance between them, as determined by the laser measurement system. The Department of the Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command is including the system in its naval warfare publication, authorizing the use of the Laser Atlanta solution for the fleet. Laser Atlanta completed an evaluation for the system at McConnell Technology & Training Center, which had sought alternatives for UNREP distance measurements. The test system was installed on the USNS Tippecanoe as it performed maneuvers with several other fleet vessels. For more information, visit: www.laseratlanta.com