Joe Cole, Systems Engineering and Analysis Domain Lead, Department of Defence, gave a presentation on Design for Upgrade: Managing the Platform to Combat System Interface to a meeting on 30 July at UNSW Canberra at ADFA and streamed live. The presentation was attended by 16 with a further 7 participating online.
The presentation was based on the recent RINA Warship 2024 Conference paper by Joe Cole, Alistair Smith and Gethin Barden, Design for Upgrade: Managing the Platform to Combat System Interface, and presented by Joe at the conference in Adelaide.
Joe commenced the presentation by showing three profile photos of Anzac-class frigates, demonstrating how the class had evolved over time, as evidenced by their changing external appearance. The lead ship of the class achieved a 28 year life.
As one means of providing for future growth, Joe identified the various margins which are typically applied at an early design stage. Aside from the usual consideration of margins for additional weight, increase in VCG, space, deck area, power, control interfaces and cooling, this extends to considerations such as making provision for reserve capacity in cable trunks and penetrations.
Modularity built into designs was also identified as a means to facilitate through-life upgrades, with past examples including the Danish Stanflex, the German Meko variants, and the concept for the USN LCS being mentioned. However, modularity extends below complete weapon or sensor systems and includes standardisation on equipment interfaces and rack sizes. He noted that work is ongoing between NATO members on achieving greater standardisation and modularity.
Ultimately, platform design changes were also an option to provide warships with further room for capability updates, as has been the case for the Anzac class to achieve a higher limiting displacement while maintaining adequate stability.
Joe proposed that, to more directly make provision for future upgrades, consideration should be given to allocating at least a pair of specific areas in combatants for integrating systems for future upgrades, including planned removal routes and provision of cable routes between such locations.
The presentation generated a lively discussion on the RAN experience with upgrading the Anzac-class frigates and earlier generations of combatants.
The presentation was not recorded.
The Presenter
Joe was awarded his Bachelor of Engineering degree in Naval Architecture with honours from the Australian Maritime College in 2002, and has spent the bulk of his career with the Department of Defence. He has been the Australian Naval Liaison Officer in Bristol, UK, and, back in Australia with the Navy Engineering Branch, had a strong interest in early-stage design and has contributed to studies and concepts associated with future surface combatants, patrol vessels and landing craft. He has extensive experience in the RAN surface combatant program. He is now the Systems Engineering and Analysis Domain Lead, and is responsible for leading the rebuild of the Navy Engineering Branch’s capability for early-stage design and trade studies in support of capability development.
Joe Cole making his presentation
(Photo courtesy Warren Smith)
