Optimal commonality decisions in multiple ship classes

Abstract

A methodology is presented for the determination of the Pareto optimal choice of components and elements to make common between two different classes of military vessels. The use of commonality can produce fleet-wide savings in component purchasing, training, spare parts, vessel construction, etc. The methodology presented here determines the optimal commonality decision and designs the vessel classes to maximize the mission performance per average acquisition cost of each vessel class and the total fleet saving achieved by the commonality. A customized evolutionary algorithm is used to determine the resulting discrete Pareto surface. The methodology is illustrated by its application to the design of two ship classes to perform the specific missions of the US Coast Guard’s National Security Cutter and Offshore Patrol Cutter. The results show that the methodology is effective and that not all commonality choices produce a net savings.