This thesis describes the design optimization of two different types of vessels. They are LHA(R), a replacement for the US Navy amphibious assault ship and DDG51, a destroyer class vessel. The overall measure of effectiveness (OMOE) and the lead ship acquisition cost (LCA) are considered to be the objective functions. The evaluation of feasibility of the designs and various ship parameter calculations are performed using the US Navy ship design evaluation software ASSET. ASSET is integrated with the design optimization software DARWIN to obtain results representing the best designs over a range of LCA. Model Center software is used to integrate the processes ASSET and Darwin.

The results generated will provide the owner with the best designs possible (designs with high OMOE) over a range of LCA. This thesis is mainly of academic interest. The results generated could help the owners to look at various design options available for the amount of money they are willing to spend.