Feature 1 | CLASSIFICATION
developments and features, class designations, such as signature management and protection against small weapons. Te Naval Ship Code (NSC) has played
a crucial role in the development of the new rules and the basic requirements of the code have been incorporated into this latest edition. A new class notation has been created for vessels which fulfil all of the requirements of the NSC. Tere is also provision in the rules for navies to adopt a mix of civilian class and military standards, so that they can achieve a fit for purpose design, but do so as cost effectively as possible. This edition of the rules will feature
The first FREMM frigate for Morocco is being classed by RINA S.p.A. (Credit: DCNS).
also providing historical and real-time condition assessment, he explains. ABS is refining the NVR to support the
design and acquisition of naval combatant ships and craft. Utilising the committee structure developed by ABS for the maintenance of commercial standards, the Naval Technical Committee is responsible for the annual update of the NVR. While updates are made annually, this process is continuous as lessons learned in real world environments are incorporated with the latest technological developments in order to continuously improve the standard. In 2010, the agreement with NAVSEA
was expanded to include the Achieving Service Life Program (ASLP) – a programme that utilises risk-based assessments and modelling to aid the US Navy ship managers in identifying maintenance routines that may maximize the service life of non-nuclear surface combatant vessels. “ASLP provides a low-cost, class-related
service model for vessels not initially designed and constructed to the NVR or other ABS Rules,” he explains. Scalable to the requirements of the vessel operator, the programme utilises risk-based assessments and modelling to assist ship managers in making decisions that directly impact the life cycle of a vessel. Both the NVR programme for new construction and the ASLP programme for existing vessels provide a number of benefits that positively impact the entire life cycle of a naval combatant through the third-party assessment process.
12 The advanced ABS Eagle Survey
Manager web-based soſtware allows the US Navy immediate access to accurate data on any ABS-classed vessel, allowing for realtime evaluation and analysis. Tis tool, coupled with on-site assessments gives vessel managers the information required to make high-impact decisions concerning asset maintenance. Te ABS quality system also affords the
US Navy a consistent and comprehensive approach to addressing a vessel and its key systems. Applying lessons learned across the entire ABS fleet of more than 11,500 classed vessels allows for best practices to be incorporated into the vessel’s construction, maintenance and operations. Te system also requires continuous verification and validation in the execution of all fundamental activities, including full traceability of results and an audit trail verified by both internal and external bodies. Today, ABS is providing classification-
related services for 56 new construction projects for the US Navy, US Coast Guard and other US government entities. Around 50 vessels have been enrolled in the ASLP programme to date with an expected total of 108 by 2018. For Germanischer Lloyd (GL), 2011
was a year that saw an intense focus on the preparation for the publication of a new edition of its Rules for Classification and Construction for Navies. Te new edition, which is scheduled for publication in early 2012, will incorporate new technological
some significant new additions to meet new demands from navies and shipyards. Te partial safety factor concept, according to DIN 18800, has been brought into the rules in its entirety, including special load cases for military purposes. In ship operations and auxiliary systems requirements for new piping materials (plastic) have been introduced, the bilge system was completely adapted to naval needs and new techniques for fire fighting were considered (such as Hi-Fog and fire fighting in ammunition storages). GL is also developing a new soſtware tool,
‘Navy-Poseidon’, which will be available in 2012, to support shipyards in using GL’s naval rules when designing the hulls of ships. GL will allow a designer to calculate the residual strength of a naval vessel aſter a military impact, for example. Te consulting arm of the GL Group,
FutureShip, will release a suite of new engineering services designed around naval requirements in the near future. These services include: calculating the noise from an exciter to the bottom of the sea; conducting ergonomic bridge analysis to identify the most comfortable and fit-for-purpose naval bridge arrangement; calculating the global shock response of a naval vessel from the exciter to a single device; and calculating whether a hull or superstructure will withstand defined gunfire. May 2011 saw the steel cutting ceremony
at shipyard Blohm + Voss in Hamburg for the German Navy’s new F125 class frigate, which is being built to GL class. Tis is an interesting project as it reflects a shiſt in the role of German Navy vessels, with the F125 having been designed for long international deployments (up to two years) and an
Warship Technology January 2012
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