The National Shipbuilding Research Program, 1997 Ship Production Symposium, Paper No. 23: New Attack Submarine: A 21st Century Design
Abstract
Nuclear submarine design for the 21st century embraces world class processes, technology, and tools. The walls which once divided engineering disciplines have been replaced by multi-functional teams. Designer and shipbuilder independence of the past is being replaced by interdependence; and the armslength relationship with suppliers and the Navy is being replaced by cooperative, interactive teaming arrangements. The goal of everyone involved in the design of the New Attack Submarine (NSSN) is to work together to provide the most cost-effective and capable product. In 1989, Electric Boat Corporation initiated a comprehensive review of the submarine design and construction process with the goal of reducing nuclear submarine acquisition and life cycle cost. The process was mapped for each technical discipline (electrical, structural, piping, etc.), step-by-step, and optimized around a fundamental core process to eliminate inefficient work practices. Concurrent with this internal review was an external evaluation of design and construction methods being utilized throughout a broad spectrum of U.S. and international industries. Designers and manufacturers in the aircraft, automobile, power plant equipment, reactor plant equipment, and shipbuilding industries were visited to observe their design and manufacturing processes. In addition, numerous articles and papers written on concurrent engineering were reviewed, paying particular attention to lessons learned. These comprehensive reviews, conducted over two years, identified the best features of current industrial practice. These "best practices" were adapted and incorporated into the structure of the NSSN design process to ensure maximum producibility of the ship design. As a result, the NSSN design is being developed utilizing the basic concurrent engineering concept optimized to nuclear submarine product.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA447085
Entities
People
- Kevin Poitras
Organizations
- General Dynamics Electric Boat