Integrated submarine performance simulation

Abstract

The procurement planning for high value assets, such as submarines, naval surface ships, aircraft, etc. requires rigorous analysis to ensure that the operation of the platform and its sub-systems meet the capability requirements, based on measures of performance. Measures of performance are identified and defined in a capability analysis, which is not in the scope of the present study. Once the measures of performance have been established, a submarine simulation model can be used to assess the performance of a given design against the measures of performance. Subject matter experts are able to develop high fidelity models of submarine performance and operations. An efficient way to integrate these high fidelity models, to develop a whole-of-submarine simulation model, is to use an integration tool such as Phoenix Integration Model Center. This integrated tool can be used to perform analysis and parameter sensitivity studies to provide a better understanding of the design space. In this paper, a submarine simulation model is developed, using Phoenix Integration Model Center, based on sub-system models developed by subject matter experts. The software tool is validated by comparing the designs to several previous designs described in the public literature. The tool is then applied to a case study, showing the relationship between the weight of a submarine, the number of crew members and the length of its mission in days. The results show a large growth in submarine weight with increasing crew numbers, and a moderate growth in weight with increased mission duration.