Standardisation of Naval Containerised Modules - Enabling Interoperability Across NATO

Abstract

This paper explores the work carried out by the Naval Design Partnering (NDP) team to propose a new North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) standard covering naval containerised modules outfitted with mission systems. The purpose of the Standard is to facilitate interoperability of naval modules across NATO navies, and to future proof the design process both for supply-chain and vessel designers. Drawing upon the experience of the offshore world in using containerised modules, as embodied in the current certification standards, the Standard provides a uniform set of safety-related construction requirements, standardised interfaces, and guidance for platforms to enable the deployment of naval modules. The paper covers the overall philosophy behind the Standard, the background research conducted, and the rationale behind the requirements chosen. Finally, it explores the impact of the Standard on platform design, the key enablers for the deployment of naval modules, and the future work to develop international inter-operability.