Abstract:
A ship has interchangeable mission modules. For example, a ship has a frame with a mission-module bay disposed therein. The bay is operable to receive a mission module having a mission-module system and an interface that facilitates the coupling between the mission-module system and the ship. As such, a plurality of different types of mission modules can be interchanged quickly and easily to provide the ship with different mission capabilities. Each mission-module is generally self-contained such that all the equipment necessary to perform the specific mission is contained within the single mission-module. Each mission-module is either a single unit or multiple units combined together to form an integrated unit. Thus, the ship is capable of transitioning from one mission to another simply by ejecting one mission module and replacing with another mission module.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY  
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/426,070 filed on Nov. 12, 2002 which is incorporated by reference.  
       CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0002]    This application is related to U.S. patent app. Ser. Nos. ______ entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MISSION MODULE SWAPPING IN A VESSEL (Attorney Docket No. 1934-8-3), ______ entitled VESSEL WITH A MULTI-MODE HULL (Attorney Docket No. 1934-9-3), which have a common filing date and owner, and which are incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Modern naval ships are typically designed to perform multiple types of missions and are therefore referred to as “multi-mission” ships. For example, suppose a ship is designed for anti-submarine warfare, littoral warfare, and anti-mine warfare. Such a ship may include a deck that has a respective command/control station for each type of mission, i.e., a station for anti-submarine warfare, a station for littoral warfare, and a station for anti-mine warfare. The ship may also have a hull that, although not ideal for any particular type of mission, is at least compatible with all of the mission types for which the ship is designed.  
           [0004]    One problem with such a multi-mission-type ship is that it is often larger than it needs to be for a single type of mission. For example, if a deck of the ship has a respective command/control station for each type of mission, then the deck, and most likely the ship, is bigger than it would be if it included only a single station for a single type of mission. Multi-mission ships are therefore high value capital assets, are typically designed to carry a large crew to support the various missions, and are generally operated only in regions where a high degree of protection is supplied by other friendly ships.  
           [0005]    Another problem is that multi-mission-type ships are typically inefficient. For example, if the ship is designed to perform three types of mission and includes a respective command/control station for each mission type, then two of the three stations are typically unused when the ship is on a mission.  
           [0006]    Furthermore, the hull of such a multi-mission ship is typically not ideal for any of the mission types for which the ship is designed. That is, if the hull is ideal for one type of mission, it may be incompatible with another type of mission. Therefore, when designing a hull that is compatible with multiple types of missions, a designer must often design the hull as a compromise across all missions.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    An embodiment of the invention is directed to a ship having a frame with a mission-module bay disposed therein. The bay is operable to receive a mission module having a mission-module system and an interface that facilitates the coupling of the mission-module system to the ship. As such, a plurality of different types of mission modules can be interchanged quickly and easily to provide the ship with different mission capabilities.  
           [0008]    By designing a frame with a bay for different types of mission modules, a first module designed to provide systems and facilities for a first type of mission can be removed and a second mission module designed to provide systems and facilities for a second type of mission can be installed. Because the interfaces between each mission module and the bay disposed in the frame are compatible for most mission modules, retrofitting a ship for a different mission is achieved quickly and efficiently.  
           [0009]    Furthermore, because the mission modules are easily interchanged, a ship may be retrofitted while deployed. That is, a ship may jettison a first mission module and then acquire a new mission module without the requirement of being in port or in a dry dock. This feature has significant operational advantages for in-theater mission change-out, thereby eliminating the need of the ship to leave the theater of operations and transit potentially a long distance to support facilities for mission change-out. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a multi-mission ship and an associated mission module according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a cutaway plan view of a multi-mission-type ship with a mission module engaged according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a procedure for changing mission modules in the ship of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative procedure for changing mission modules in the ship of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIGS. 5A-5D are end views of a ship having a multi-mode hull according to an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is an isometric view diagram of a multi-mission ship  100  and an associated mission module  105  according to an embodiment of the invention. The ship  100  may be a monohull, a multihull (such as a catamaran, Trimaran, Pentamaran, etc.), a small-waterplane-area twin hull (SWATH), a multi-mode hull such as discussed below in conjunction with FIGS. 5A-5D, or other type of hullform. The ship  100  includes a hull structure or frame  115  that is designed to accept one or more mission modules  105  (only one shown in FIG. 1). The frame  115  includes two lower hull portions  112   a  and  112   b  and associated interconnecting structures (called struts hereinafter) that extend down from a main body  113 , (one strut and lower hull  112   a  extending down from the port side and one strut and lower hull  112   b  extending down from the starboard side) such that a receptacle or bay  110  is enclosed by the struts and lower hulls  112   a  and  112   b  and the main body  113 . The bay  110  creates a cavity such that water is free to flow in and out of the bay area as the hull portions  112   a  and  112   b  are only coupled to the main body  113  which stays above the surface of the water because of the buoyancy of the struts and lower hulls  112   a  and  112   b.  As such, a small watercraft or other floating objects may traverse into the bay  110 , below the main body  113 , between the struts and lower hulls  112   a  and  112   b,  and even out the back side of the ship  100  without ever contacting the any portion of the ship  100 . Similarly, a mission module  105  may also pass through the ship  100  in this manner, however, a mission module  105  is typically engaged (by a lifting mechanism described below) when it is directly under the ship  100 . In an alternative embodiment, the backside of the ship  100  is not open to the water and objects may not pass completely through the bay  110  from one side to the other.  
         [0017]    Mission modules  105  are designed with different capabilities that, when interfaced with the ship  100 , provide the ship  100  with mission-specific functionality for respective types of missions. That is, a mission module  105  is capable of carrying the equipment and supplies necessary to conduct a specified mission. In this aspect, the ship  100  is somewhat analogous to a personal computer that includes a motherboard (analogous to the frame  115 ) designed to accept one or more plug-in cards (analogous to the mission module  105 ) that give the computer a desired functionality. Consequently, the ship  100  can be retrofitted for a particular type of mission merely by swapping out one mission module  105  for another. As discussed below, by designing a mission module  105  for a specific mission, one can quickly retrofit the ship  100  while deployed (as opposed to being in a port) such that the ship&#39;s retrofit downtime is reduced.  
         [0018]    Generally, a mission module  105  comprises a watertight exterior and a reinforced interior structure that includes associated propulsion and auxiliary systems such that the mission module  105  is sufficiently sea worthy for short distance transits from one ship or dock to the intended host frame.  
         [0019]    More specifically, as discussed above, a mission module  105 typically includes the equipment and other resources necessary to execute a particular type of mission. For example, the module  105  may include, e.g., one or more mission-specific operator/control stations (not shown), a mission-specific computer system, quarters and supplies (not shown) for additional crew needed for the mission, hangers for mission-specific equipment such as a helicopter or unmanned vehicle, and a tank for extra fuel.  
         [0020]    The mission module  105  may also enhance the non-module, i.e., permanent, resources of the ship  100  for compatibility with the type of mission(s) for which the module is designed. For example, the ship  100  may include a general operator/control station (not shown), which the computer system of the module  105  can configure for the corresponding type of mission via an interface with the ship&#39;s computer system. Or, the module  105  may carry extra fuel and supplies for a long-range mission.  
         [0021]    Still referring to FIG. 1, although the module  105  is separable from the frame  115  of the ship  100 , when installed in the bay  110 , the module appears as an integral part of the ship according to an embodiment of the invention. For example, it is contemplated that in a module  105  having operator/control stations and/or crew quarters, crew would enter and exit the module in the same manner that they would any other portion of the ship.  
         [0022]    Mission-modules  105  are contemplated for a number of mission types, including, but not limited to, anti-mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare, littoral operations, search and rescue, stealth delivery of personnel or supplies, a logistics support system such as special equipment transport or medical facilities, and/or a maritime intercept system. Alternatively, the module  105  may merely be used to provide the ship  100  with additional fuel, supplies, or cargo space. Furthermore, although described as supporting a single type of mission, the mission module  105  may support multiple mission types. In addition, although shown as including a single bay  110 , the frame  115  may include multiple bays  110  that can each receive a respective module  105 .  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is a cutaway plan view of the multi-mission ship  100  with the mission module  105  engaged within the bay  110  according to an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0024]    The systems of the mission module  105  are connected to the respective systems of the ship  100  via ship-to-module interfaces as discussed below. Specifically, the ship-to-module interfaces include physical connections between the frame  115  and the mission module  105 . For example, as shown in FIG. 2, cross-mounting structures  201  hold the mission module  105  securely within the bay  110  while the mission module is engaged therein. A fuel interface  210  provides the capability to transfer fuel to and from the mission module  105 . A water interface  211  provides the capability to transfer fresh and/or waste water to and from the mission module  105 . A computer and electrical interface  212  allows the transfer of electricity to and from the mission module  105 , and allows the mission-module computer system to communicate with the frame  115  computer system. Alternatively, if the mission module  105  includes no computer system, the interface  212  allows the frame  115  computer to connect to and control the module. Other ship-to-module interfaces are contemplated, but are not discussed for brevity.  
         [0025]    After the mission module  105  enters the bay  110 , crew members mate each ship-to-module interface on the mission module  105  with the corresponding interface on the frame  115 . Alternatively, the mating of the interfaces may be automated. In one implementation, the interfaces are universal for all ships  100  and mission modules  105  in a fleet so that a crew can install virtually any mission module  105  in the bay  110  of virtually any ship frame  115  using a common installation procedure. Likewise, a crew can remove virtually any mission module  105  from any bay  110  using a common removal procedure.  
         [0026]    Alternate embodiments of the frame  115  and module  105  are contemplated. For example, although the bay  110  is described is being entirely below a deck (topside) of the ship  100 , the frame  115  may have one or more deck openings (not shown) that allow portions of the module  105  to be exposed for use. For example, the module  105  may include a weapons turret (not shown) or an antenna array (not shown) that protrude through the deck openings. Or, the module  105  may include an elevator that can carry planes onto the ship deck via a deck opening.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate a procedure by which a crew replaces a first mission module  105   a  with a second mission module  105   b  according to an embodiment of the invention. As discussed below, this procedure allows a crew to retrofit the ship  100  relatively quickly and while out at sea, and thus eliminates the need for the ship to return to port for retrofitting.  
         [0028]    As shown in FIG. 3A, the ship  100  disengages the first mission module  105   a . When disengaging the first mission module  105   a,  crew members or other automatic means disconnect each ship-to-module interface (as shown in FIG. 2) between the frame  115  and the first mission module  105   a.  Then, the crew adjusts the draft (i.e., the depth of the struts  112   a  and  112   b  in the water)) of the ship  100  to the proper level such that the first mission module  105   a  is free to float out of the bay  110 . The ship  100  may then begin moving away from the first mission module  105   a  in the direction indicated by the arrow  351  to completely remove the module  105   a  from the bay  110 . In an alternate implementation, the ship  100  may include a crane or other lifting device (not shown) to remove the module  105  from the bay  110  and lower the module into the water. For example, the ship  100  may include straps (not shown) that engage the bottom of the module  105   a.  The crew can, therefore, lower the module  105   a  into the water by means of the straps and associated winching system (not shown).  
         [0029]    Next, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the ship  100  maneuvers away from the first mission module  105   a  as indicated by the directional arrow  352 . After moving far enough away from the first mission module  105   a,  the ship  100  then maneuvers into alignment with a second mission module  105   b  as indicated by directional arrow  353 . Another ship (not shown) typically transports the second module  105   b  to the ship  100  and recovers the first module  105   a.    
         [0030]    Next, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, the ship  100  traverses forward and toward the second mission module  105   b  as indicated by directional arrow  354 . The crew then aligns the bay  110  with the module  105   b,  and sail toward the mission module such that it enters the bay  110 .  
         [0031]    Finally, as illustrated in FIG. 3D, the ship  100  maneuvers into a final alignment position such that the second mission module  105   b  can be secured within the bay  110 . Once the second mission module  105   b  is fully within the bay  110 , the crew (or automatic means) of the ship  100  may then secure the second mission module within the bay. Next, each ship-to-module interface (FIG. 2) between the ship frame  115  and the second mission module  105   b  is connected according to the requirements of the functionality for which the second mission module is designed. Alternatively, where the draft of the ship  100  is such that the second mission module  105   b  cannot float into the bay  110 , the crew may raise the second mission module out of the water and into the bay with a crane system or other similar lifting system (not shown). For example, the module  105   b  may be within or more loops formed by one or more straps (not shown) that hang down into the water (beneath the module  105   b ) from the bay  110 . Then, when the module  105   b  is in the proper position, the crew can activate a winch or other device (not shown) to reel in the straps, and thus pull the module  105   b  up into the bay  110 .  
         [0032]    Once the second mission module  105   b  is engaged within the bay  110 , the ship  100  is ready to begin its new mission. Still referring to FIGS. 3A-3D, in another implementation, the module  105  can include a motor or other propelling device such that it can maneuver into the bay  110 . For example, crew on board the module  105  can steer the module into the bay  110 , or crew on board the ship  100  can steer the module via remote control.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 4 illustrates a procedure for removing and installing mission modules according to another embodiment of the invention. For brevity, only the installation procedure is described here, it being understood that the removal procedure is merely the installation procedure in reverse.  
         [0034]    Referring to FIG. 4, the frame  115  includes a ramp  150  that extends from the bay  110  via an opening at either the bow or stern of the ship  100 . Using a winch assembly or other assembly (not shown), the crew pull the module  105  up the ramp  150  and into the bay  110 . The crew may increase the draft of the ship, thus lowering the opening of the bay  110  toward the water, to facilitate the installation of the module  105 . After the module  105  is fully within the bay  110 , the crew retracts the ramp back into the bay  110  (for example, beneath the installed module  105 ). As discussed above, to remove the module  105 , the crew extends the ramp  150  and pushes the module out of the bay  110 , down the ramp, and into the water.  
         [0035]    Once the mission module  105  is within the bay  110 , the crew can secure the module within the bay  110  and can interface the various module systems to the frame  115  systems as discussed above in conjunction with FIGS. 1-3.  
         [0036]    Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the modular design of the ship  100  provides many advantages in addition to those discussed above. For example, the module  105  can be readied in port, and the crew can be trained in port, while the ship  100  is executing a mission with another module. Then, the module  105  and crew can rendezvous with the ship  100 , and the modules can be swapped as described above so that that ship is ready for its next mission without coming into port.  
         [0037]    And although the ship  100  is described as a water-going vessel, the modular concept is applicable to other vehicles. For example, an airplane may have a modular passenger cabin. Consequently, ground crew can prepare the cabin and load the passengers while the plane is still in the air or is being serviced. When the plane lands, the crew removes one passenger cabin from the plane, and installs another pre-boarded and/or pre-prepared cabin into the plane. Therefore, the departing passengers can effectively board the plane without having to wait for the arriving passengers to disembark the plane or for the crew to clean and restock the plane.  
         [0038]    Still referring to FIGS. 1-4, although the modular design of the ship  100  allows a crew to quickly and easily retrofit the ship for different types of missions, the hull design of the ship may limit the types of missions that the ship can execute, or may limit the performance of the ship when conducting mission.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIGS. 5A-5D are end views of a ship  100  of FIG. 1 having a multi-mode hull  510  that allows the ship  100  to execute a mission with a suitable type of hull for that mission according to an embodiment of the invention. The multi-mode hull  510  is a foil-assisted twin hull that combines a plurality of functions from several proven hull designs. The multi-mode hull  510  allows the ship  100  to operate in at least the following four modes: a logistics mode (FIG. 5A), a catamaran mode (FIG. 5B), a SWATH mode (FIG. 5C), and a low freeboard mode (FIG. 5D). The crew can easily switch from one mode to another by merely adjusting the draft of the ship  100 . The draft of the ship  100  can be adjusted by adjusting the water levels in the ballast tanks (not shown) or through movable buoyant devices (also not shown) using practices well-established in the maritime industry.  
         [0040]    Referring to FIG. 5A, in the logistics mode, the ship  100  rides higher in the water than it does in any other of the modes. A typical draft  551  for the hull  510  of a multi-mode hull ship  100  in the logistics mode is  9  feet. Therefore, in the logistics mode, the ship  100  is better suited to shallow-water tasks such as delivering a payload, such as module  500 , close to shore. Examples of other such tasks include close shore logistics support missions and ship-to-objective maneuvers (STOM). If adjusting the ballast of the ship  100  does not decrease the draft  551  sufficiently to put the hull in the logistics mode, the crew can secure to the ship  100  a buoyant module  500  that provides additional buoyancy sufficient to reduce the draft as needed.  
         [0041]    Referring to FIG. 5B, in catamaran mode, the ship  100  rides relatively high in the water such that the hull  510  acts as a catamaran hull. A typical draft  552  in catamaran mode is  12  feet. Therefore, in the catamaran mode, the hull  510  allows the ship  100  to travel at relatively high speeds in a relatively energy-efficient manner and in relatively shallow water, and to undertake tasks that require these abilities. Examples of such a task include search and rescue, surface-craft interdiction, high-speed pursuit of surface craft and submarines, and other missions requiring high speed.  
         [0042]    Referring to FIG. 5C, in SWATH mode, the ship  100  rides lower in the water than in the catamaran mode such that the hull  510  acts as a SWATH hull. In the SWATH mode, the ship  100  is slower and less energy efficient than in the catamaran mode, but it has better sea keeping and is better for transporting payloads or personnel long distances, and thus, is better for undertaking tasks that require these abilities. A typical draft  553  in SWATH mode is  20  feet.  
         [0043]    Referring to FIG. 5D, in low-freeboard mode, the ship  100  rides lower in the water than in the SWATH mode such that the ship  100  has a low-profile for stealth missions. That is, the portion of the ship  100  that rides above the waterline in the low-freeboard mode is minimized to make the ship  100  less detectable than it is in the other three modes. Therefore, in the low-freeboard mode, the ship  100  is suited for undertaking tasks that require secrecy or that otherwise require the ship  100  to ride low in the water. Furthermore, any additional stealth features, such as the shapes of the above-water decks, need only be implemented on the portion of the ship  100  that rides above the waterline in the low-freeboard mode, and not on the other larger portions of the ship  100  that ride above the waterline in the other modes. A typical draft  554  in the low-freeboard mode is 32 feet.  
         [0044]    Other embodiments of the multi-mode hull  510  are contemplated. For example, the hull  510  may allow the ship  100  to operate in more or fewer than four modes, where some or all of these modes are different than those described above.  
         [0045]    Still referring to FIGS. 5A-5D, the ship  100  may operate in one or more of the above-described hull modes when performing a single mission. For example, suppose the ship is to perform an anti-submarine-warfare mission at a location that is remote from the location where the crew loads the anti-submarine mission module  105  into the bay  110 . At first, because the ship  100  (the frame  115 , the module  105 , or both) is loaded with fuel and supplies for the mission, the draft of the ship may be such that the ship operates in the SWATH mode (FIG. 5C). If the mission is secret, then the crew may add additional ballast (typically water) to cause the ship  100  to operate in the low-freeboard (stealth) mode (FIG. 5D). When the ship  100  reaches the mission location, then the fuel and supplies may be depleted sufficiently such that with the removal of a proper amount of ballast, the ship can operate in the catamaran mode (FIG. 5B) to, e.g., chase a submarine.  
         [0046]    The preceding discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The general principles described herein may be applied to embodiments and applications other than those detailed above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed or suggested herein.