The Impact of Group Technology-Based Shipbuilding Methods on Naval Ship Design and Acquisition Practices

Modern shipbuilding practices in the United States have evolved from the requirement to build naval ships as economically as possible while still retaining the desired level of quality and the ability to fulfill naval mission requirements. The highly competitive environment that shipbuilders are now in has further stimulated their search for more efficient and productive ship construction methods. As a result, group technology-based shipbuilding methods have been developed and implemented over the last few years. These new construction technologies have profound effects on the manner in which naval ship acquisition is, or should be, conducted. In particular, there are serious consequences regarding engineering and design, (Computer aided design/manufacturing), ship work breakdown structures, and cost and schedule control systems. A brief history of naval ship design and acquisition practices, leading to a description of the current shipbuilding technologies, is given. Then the effects these technologies have on the above-mentioned areas of the naval ship acquisition process are described. Included are detailed examples of how modern shipbuilding methods have affected selected naval ship acquisition programs. Keyword: Theses. (KR)