Preserving capacity, General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, Keys to Canadian SAR
Issue link: http://vanguardcanada.uberflip.com/i/368881
Full-scale trials on the finished product are necessary to the ship evaluation process, even with the advances that complex computer modelling and scale model tests have created. www.vanguardcanada.com AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2014 45 e eDge OF TECH terns caused by the ship superstructure on the helicopter flight deck, the response of a ship to underwater explosions, and the complex flow field affecting maneuvering performance of ships and submarines. At the time of design and construction of the Halifax-class Canadian Patrol Frig- ates in the 1970s, a computational model of only a small part of the ship would take days or even weeks of computing time on a mainframe computer. Today, models of the entire ship can run in minutes on a laptop and in some cases, these advanced complex simulations can reduce the need for expen- sive model and full-scale sea trials. Real-time simulation of complex naval operations such as Replenishment at Sea, Launch and Recovery and others, have become a reality through collaborative ef- forts with Canada's NATO allies. These high-fidelity, physically accurate simulation capabilities allow the assessment of new equipment or a change in operations for existing vessels without the expense of pur- chase and sea trials. For example, a simula- tion of launch and recovery of new boats on the Halifax-class can help assess crane capabilities and any limitations in opera- tions that these new boats may have before purchase and sea trials. Simulations of op- erations in extreme seas or extreme events (e.g., capsizing, response to damage, etc.) provide knowledge which would otherwise not be available due to physical limitations. Not everything can be determined through computer simulation, so DND and DRDC have partnered with the Na- tional Research Council (NRC) to under- take scaled model tests in their model basin facility in St. John's, NL; this is a necessary process before any new ship goes to final design and in order to validate computer simulations as they are developed. Survivability is an essential part of war- ship design. Through computational ad- vances and validation of analysis methods with our allies, it is possible to analyse com- plex structural and equipment response to weapons loads, such as underwater explo- sions and air blast. Methods of analysing ship signatures and of simulating and eval- uating damage control technologies – in- cluding those used to combat smoke, fire, and flooding, and to facilitate evacuation – are also being studied and developed. Dealing with very large quantities of data is necessary to undertake the many com- plex analyses to develop and verify design. DRDC is working with Canadian industry and international partners to address this challenge and create a common ship data- base, created from the designer's files, and from which all variety of evaluation models can be derived. A common ship data base framework, even if only partially successful, will greatly enhance the speed of, and en- able the use of, a wider range of complex analysis tools (survivability, signatures, sta- bility) in ship design assessment. Full-scale trials on the finished product are necessary to the ship evaluation pro- cess, even with the advances that complex computer modelling and scale model tests have created. DRDC continues to develop and improve its ability to support the RCN in this regard, most-recently assisting with Halifax-class modernization manoeuvring and helicopter landing full-scale trials. Effective, efficient through-life-manage- ment of the delivered vessels is also being addressed through science and technology. Determining the abilities of a damaged vessel (corrosion, fatigue cracks, war dam- age) to undertake a given mission is a com- plex subject falling outside the realm of design rules but with very significant con- sequences (e.g., potential removal of a ves- sel from its defence and security service). Simulation of the expected environmental conditions and the damaged ship response to those loads, and the effects of possible repair strategies is the subject of much re- search in the naval science community. DRDC looks forward to providing con- tinued support to the Royal Canadian Navy by applying technological advances to support the RCN both today, and in the future. We strive to assist in defining achievable, validated and affordable re- quirements, advise on design alternatives, evaluate options, measure deliverable per- formance, and to support operations of the RCN fleet. Infrared signature