The Surface Warfare Test Ship

A systems engineering approach to the design of a ship conversion to satisfy the requirements for a Surface Warfare Test Ship (SWTS) to be employed by the Port Hueneme Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center is presented. The ship described would meet test needs for future weapons and sensor systems and provide limited test capability for future hull, mechanical and electrical systems. The current Self Defense Test Ship is over 45 years old, approaching the end of its useful life. A conversion of a decommissioned SPRUANCE (DD 963) class ship is the basis for the replacement Surface Warfare Test Ship. The study proceeds from mission needs and operational requirements through a functional analysis and study of threat weapons to be employed against the SWTS. After summarizing the characteristics of a SPRUANCE Class ship, the study reports an analysis of four alternative conversion schemes. The alternatives are described, with the rationale for choosing that considered best. The chosen alternative is then described and analyzed in several important areas of concern including combat systems functionality, signature characteristics, engineering plant and habitability for test personnel. The fitness of the proposed design for several special evolutions is also described, and alternatives for further enhancing performance are presented.