A Solution to the Inherent List on Nimitz Class Aircraft Carriers

Abstract

Nimitz class aircraft carriers possess an inherent list to starboard that their list control systems (LCS) are typically unable to correct while under Combat Load Conditions. As a result, it has become necessary to use fresh water ballast in a number of inner bottom voids and damage control voids to augment the LCS. Maintaining liquid ballast in damage control voids is unacceptable, as it reduces the design counter flooding capability of the ship, and thus reduces ship survivability. In order to restore the ship's operational flexibility and achieve the necessary/desired list correction, this study determines the effect of adding solid ballast to a series of voids/tanks identified on the 2nd, 4th, and 8th decks. Based on ballast density, tank location and capacity, ease of ballast installation, minor tank structural modifications, and a decision making cost analysis, solid ballast was determined to be the most advantageous for use in correcting the inherent list on the Nimitz class aircraft carriers. Fresh water ballast was also examined as a possible alternative, but not as extensively due to the large quantity of water required and its limited ability to achieve a list correction. Nimitz class aircraft carriers currently have an average list of 1.5 degrees and a KG of 47 feet. Since their allowable KG cannot exceed 48.5 feet, the average service life allowance (SLA) for KG is approximately 1.5 feet. This study shows that by adding approximately 400 lton of solid ballast, list can be corrected by 1.5 degrees with only a 0.1 percent increase in KO. Thus, to permanently fix the average Nimitz class aircraft carrier starboard list, there would be a 0.05 foot increase in KG, which in all cases is within the SLA. Additionally, this study shows that this 1.5 degree list correction can be accomplished at a low cost of approximately $1,200 per lton.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA425773

Entities

People

  • Dianna Wolfson

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Carriers
  • Carrier Based Aircraft
  • Control Systems
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Flight Decks
  • Intact Stability
  • Marine Transportation
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Warfare
  • Navy
  • Nimitz-Class
  • Operating Systems
  • Uss Abraham Lincoln
  • Uss Nimitz
  • Uss Ronald Reagan
  • Uss Theodore Roosevelt

Readers

  • Applied Combinatorial Optimization and Logic Circuit Design.
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.