In the spring of 1990, the NavSea Chief Engineer initiated a project to improve the design, acquisition and construction (DAC) of U.S. Navy ships. The project's objectives are to reduce the time and cost of acquiring and operating Navy ships while improving their quality. unlike previous studies on the subject, the project utilizes a rigorous process analysis approach and attempts to use quantitative measures as the basis for recommending improvements. The paper is, of necessity, a status report on the progress of this project. Topics covered include: the DAC process; a look at the current state of ship acquisition time, cost, and quality; the methodology for process improvements; and early findings.
A major contributor to the expense and length of time to design, build, and test new systems has been the need to build and test hardware prototypes to determine their effectiveness in meeting operational requirements. Recent and dramatic advances in computer simulation technologies hold forth the promise of revolutionizing design and acquisition strategies by providing the means to validate end users' requirements prior to hardware construction. By designing and operationally testing virtual prototypes in a virtual environment, these technologies will soon offer naval architects the ability to build and launch ships in computer‐based cyberspace in lieu of the shipbuilder's ways. The authors of this paper provide the background for these developments, explore the significance and ramifications of these technologies to the current process of ship and system design, outline challenges lying ahead, and present their vision and recommendations for future development.
Since the signing of the Contract Design Plane for the CVN 68 (the U.S. Navy's latest Class of Aircraft Carriers) In 1963, considerable technological advances have been made in Naval Ship Design. This paper provides specific examples of how new technology has affected traditional Carrier design practices and techniques, and also indicates areas where future advanced technology will be needed. It is divided into four sections: 1) Computer Design Application; 2) Total Ship Energy Conservation Analysis; 3) Advances in Structural Design; and 4) Impact of V/STOL Aircraft. The increased use of the computer to define ship characteristics in the initial stage of ship design is discussed, followed by a report on efforts to include energy conservation as an integral part of the design process. The energy conservation approach uses traditional analytical techniques to develop innovative design configurations that will achieve energy savings. Of the many advances in Carrier structural design, two specific examples are given: 1) Elimination of the infamous “knee‐knockers” (high sills in passageway openings) common to Gallery Deck structure, and 2) Successful attempts at reducing the thickness of aircraft elevator platforms. The paper concludes by pointing out some possible challenges facing the ship designer and some of the technology already created by the expected introduction of advanced design Vertical/Short Takeoff and Landing (V/STOL) aircraft.
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