Page 18: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 2015)

EYE ON DESIGN

Putting a Number on It

Using survivability measures to quant fy combat capability and performance

BY JOHN A. WALTHAM-SAJDAK, PH.D.

VISBY, ZUMWALT, INDEPENDENCE, FREEDOM,

TORNIO, SAN ANTONIO, INCHEON, SIGMA, FREMM ...

... these ships are not only capable, tested for “these ships are so expensive they’d vivability within an inevitably restricted CFR Title 10 Section 2366) requiring and proven warships, they are extreme- better go faster, carry more, kill more, budget.” In recent years as the acqui- the realistic threat-based survivability ly complex. ZUMWALT alone carries be more survivable and generally out- sition costs of naval vessels have in- testing of surface ships and submarines 16 Electronic Module Enclosures that perform the other guys.’” creased and the public has become more with the intention of assuring what ‘we contain 235 electronics cabinets each “Warships represent a signi? cant in- and more aware and sensitive to the risks the people’ buy has had its metaphorical supporting a complex Total Ship Com- vestment for any country. It follows that, to sailors, the term ‘survivability’ has be- tires properly kicked. puting Environment. This complexity is regardless of whether they are being come the buzzword for effectiveness and These survivability legislations often driven by the operational need of navies used to defend national boundaries or capability. So important is the attribute require full-up system-level Live Fire to provide ‘ever more ? exibility within project power, that they are as survivable of survivability that the United States Test and Evaluation (LFT&E) unless increased multi-mission capability per- as possible.” The challenge, however, is Congress as well as other nations have suitable alternatives are approved for formance requirements’ — Navy-speak to “provide the maximum possible sur- enacted survivability legislation (e.g. US reasons of cost and practicality. To this

Alion’s MOTISS solution iden- ti