THE DESIGN OF VARIABLE PAYLOAD SHIPS

This paper presents the issues involved and the approach taken in the design of Variable Payload Ships. The objectives in Variable Payload Ship design are: first, to permit concurrent design and development of the ship and its initial combat system; and second, to simplify the testing, installation, and upgrading of the combat system over a ship's life cycle. In order to accomplish these objectives, Ship Systems Engineering Standards and Design Criteria are being developed for the VPS platform and payload. Based on the Mid-Size Combatant design conducted so far, indications are that the abovementioned objectives can be met giving the Navy maximum flexibility to choose the latest and most appropriate combat suite for each of its surface combatants during both initial acquisition and entire life cycle.