Damage Control and Optimized Manning: The DRDC Atlantic Perspective
Abstract
The two major contributors to through life costs of naval vessels are crewing and maintenance. The Canadian Navy has identified the reduction of through life costs as a priority. This has led to an increased interest in how crewing levels can be reduced without jeopardizing the ship's ability to complete its mission. Of particular concern is how reduced crewing levels will impact of labour intensive operations such as fire and damage control. To aid in accomplishing this goal, DRDC Atlantic has initiated a project entitled Damage Control and Optimized Crewing for Naval Vessels. The aim of this project is to address how damage control on ships can be maintained or enhanced with optimized (reduced) crewing levels. In this paper, the planned approaches to reducing crewing levels, including the use of modeling and simulation in conjunction with functional analysis, human factors research, automation, and improved sensors and materials, will be reviewed and discussed with respect to maintaining and/or enhancing damage control on CF ships. Modeling and simulation tools provide a means of evaluating the effectiveness of different configurations of crew and technologies (automation) in the performance of tasks. These tools aid in the selection of the best approach to maintaining operational capabilities with fewer crew. Human factors research considers how to best design systems that provide operators with the information/decision making capabilities they need to perform their tasks efficiently. Critical assessment and installation of the most effective fire and damage sensing, suppression and control systems will lessen the effect of fire and battle damage. The development of materials, such as blast resistant coatings and porous materials, that harden ship structures will result in ships that are inherently less vulnerable to damage.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA599514
Entities
People
- John A. Hiltz
Organizations
- Defence Research and Development Canada