The Naval Ship Design/Production Interface

Abstract

The paper discusses, from a ship designer's perspective, some of the current topics and issues relating to the interface between naval ship design and production. The current environment within which naval ship design activity is taking place is described. Notable current views on Navy ship design and how it might be improved are summarized. Navy design topics pertinent to improving ship producibility, operability, maintainability and survivability are discussed and examples from recent ship designs are. presented. Issues which result from apparent conflicts in current design initiatives and critiques of the Navy ship design process are highlighted and discussed. Finally, some general conclusions are drawn.