Ship Roll Stabilization in the U.S. Navy

Abstract

ABSTRACTOne purpose of this paper is to report upon the current status of using rudder roll stabilization (RRS) in the U.S. Navy as an alternative to the more common approach of roll‐fin stabilization. In either approach, active control principles are used to reduce ship roll motion with an eye towards improving ship system operational effectiveness as encountered in the high sea states of the Northern Latitudes.A second purpose of this paper is to broaden the outlook upon the gains derivable from reductions in ship roll motion by relating the impact of roll damping upon ship roll motion. This linkage will provide three perspectives; one for the operational community, one for the ship sea‐trials community, and one for the naval architect. The latter perspective is proposed as a candidate for developing ship handling quality specifications. Finally, the use of active control concepts to improve ship seakeeping will be stressed as being in complete harmony with the allied principle of optimizing the ship hullform design for reasons of mission performance.