Dynamic Architecture Flow Optimization for Capability-Based Assessment of Naval Ship Design

Abstract

This thesis details the improvement and implementation of a Dynamic Architecture Flow Optimization (DAFO) tool for Combat, Power, and Energy System (CPES) design in naval surface ship concept development. As a continuation of earlier work, the DAFO has been refined using matrix-based methods with further development towards implementing capability-based design. The DAFO responds to capability requests to support dynamic operational situations (OPSITs) in a Warfighting Model and enables optimized and feasible warfighting reconfiguration under both intact and damage conditions. This involves maximizing the effectiveness of the CPES and providing capabilities over multiple time steps while interfacing with a Ship Synthesis Model (SSM). The SSM connection provides the required physical and logical architectures and other constraints for a particular ship design. The DAFO interacts with multiple models, including a Warfighting Model, Ship Operational Model, and Mission Capability Model. These models, along with the DAFO, are called Ship Behavior and Interaction Models (SBIMs). These models are essential when determining operational effectiveness in OPSITs as they are at the intersection between the physical, operational, and logical architectures of the ship system. With the new matrix-based solution, the ship system's logical architecture is described by a network of vital energy and data component (VC) vertices and edges with their associated adjacency matrix. These VCs are interdependent, with edges linking energy and data flow and allowing capability and effectiveness-based dependencies to be established, driven entirely by flow and based on requested capabilities and warfighting priorities. This network is the basis for matrix operations and a linear programming solution with enhanced computational efficiency. This refinement provides the necessary processing speed for rapid solution of dynamic mission scenarios and effectively manages the complexity of a large ship multi-commodity system of systems.