Theory and Practice of Total Ship Survivability for Ship Design

Abstract

ABSTRACT Total Ship Survivability (TSS) is an evolving engineering management discipline being used in NAVSEA to better integrate survivability with other ship design disciplines. TSS embodies the principles of systems and concurrent engineering, in addition to other engineering analysis techniques, to assimilate data, balance conflicting needs and implement survivability at a total ship level. As such, the primary goal of TSS is to better balance the variety of survivability design features (such as active, passive and damage control/firefighting features) during each phase of the ship design process, with considerations for the constraints on cost, schedule and performance.TSS represents a survivability design philosophy and concept which not only supports the ship design process, but also the approach to survivability research and development (R&D), Live Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E) and fleet modernization (i.e. life cycle support). In addition, TSS promotes transfer of survivability knowledge to fleet operators with special at‐sea trials and tests to enhance crew training; and the operation of mission essential ship systems to retain or restore combat readiness following a weapon hit.This paper will discuss the TSS concept, how it came into being, TSS methods and practical applications for surface ship design.