ASNE Day 2016 - Technical Paper Session 3 : Thursday, March 3, 2016 0945-1100
Ship Structures
Authors: Kelsey Murray, John Sajdak, and Daniel Foos
Title: Damage Control and Recoverability Simulations in Support of the Future Frigate
Abstract:
Whereas a high sprint speed was a driving factor in designing the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), the follow-on frigate will instead be optimized for lethality and survivability as the LCS transitions to a multi-mission frigate. In this transition, it is expected that the 40-knot sprint speed will be decreased to allow for more armor, more weapons, and over-the-horizon missile and full-time anti-torpedo protection thus providing the future frigate a more traditional ‘Fight Through’ damage capability.
In the design of naval combatants providing ‘Fight Through’ capability is often performed by increasing automation, designing more system and structure redundancy and separation, enhancing armor, improving signature reduction technologies or adding “smarter” systems. Though still under assessment, the future frigate will likely take the basic LCS designs and add extra armor. It will likely employ a torpedo decoy, a variable depth sonar and a multi-function towed array permanently rather than included in a part-time mission package. Additionally, the future frigate will likely deploy two 7-meter rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIB) rather than the single 11-meter RHIB on the LCS and will likely retain the Mk 50 30mm guns rather converting to the more common 25mm gun. The frigate will likely further incorporate a SeaRAM anti-ship missile system, a ship-launched Hellfire missile system and an over-the-horizon surface-to-surface missile system which will likely be managed by the Lockheed Martin Combat Management System Component Based Total Ship System – 21st Century (COMBATSS-21).
Though up-sensored, up-armored, and up-gunned, the ‘Fight Through’ effectiveness of any onboard survivability enhancement depends on the ability of the crew to work with the system in mutually beneficial damage control efforts. Simply stated, effective survivability requires effective damage control and effective damage control requires the knowledgeable use of advanced equipment and techniques to prevent or minimize the damage effects caused by potential battle damage. Within this paper, the authors illustrate the use and discuss the benefits of the Integrated Recoverability Model (IRM) simulations developed to support LCS ship damage control and recoverability and provide some recommendations for improving the future multi-mission frigate.
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