bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Technology in Combat System Engineering
Authors: HOLDEN RICHARD A.
Published: March 2009

Since the introduction of modern surface combatants there has been a significant evolution of the combat system in terms of equipment, capability and design. This evolution will continue and combat systems of the future will be vastly different than they are today. A key aspect of this evolution is the combat system design which is defined by the functional allocation, equipments and interfaces between elements. One of the factors driving design is the introduction of new technologies which offer to improve system performance. The combat system engineering problem of the past and present is how to accommodate new and emerging technology. That is, technology is considered a design driver. This is a desirable approach from the perspective of component development. From the system engineer's perspective, this approach severely limits options and ultimately results in a sub‐optimal combat system design. This occurs because the available components are generally developed in isolation from one another and without specific system design requirements.

A fundamental system design which can identify long‐term needs is required now to provide focus to today's technology so that the various commodities of the year 2000 and beyond will be compatible. Components of the system will need to satisfy system design requirements as well as the usual performance requirements. The linkage between combat system design and technology is a responsibility of both the system engineer and the technologist.
Configuration Status Accounting Made Affordable
Authors: CONLEY DAVID T.
Published: March 2009

This paper describes an affordable automated configuration status accounting system that has been developed to meet the needs of the engineering community, the logistics community and the fleet. Configuration information is vital if the fleet is to be properly supported. Without complete and accurate configuration information that documents what is installed in the ship, including field changes, engineering changes, OrdAlts and MachAlts, proper support is not possible.

The information system described in this paper has been installed in over 30 Navy and contractor sites. Results to date have been nothing less than outstanding, with productivity improvements in excess of 500 percent. As budgets get leaner, improvements such as this will become commonplace. We will learn to live within constrained budgets and produce higher quality products. This system is an example of what can be done with emerging technology when properly applied.
Procurement and Product Assurance in the Microwave Tube Business
Authors: O'LEARY DANIEL J.
Published: March 2009

This paper offers a comparison of definitions of quality based upon the work of Crosby, Deming, and Juran. A working definition of quality in a partnership agreement is then offered. The paper examines some procurement strategies for microwave tubes and offers an example, from another field, to illustrate why some of these procurement policies do not work. A series of alternative contract practices are offered which strengthen the partnership relationship between purchaser and supplier. Lastly, improvement suggestions are made based upon current DoD total quality management initiatives.
Active Mass Damper Demonstration for Ship Vibration Reduction
Authors: KAKINOUCHI TSUTOMU , ASANO TOSHIO , ANIDA KOJI , TAKAHASHI NORIO
Published: March 2009

Modern naval vessels, which mount a large number of advanced electronic equipment, require such equipment to be well protected against external disturbance, including particularly vibration. The conventional means of minimizing vibration is to increase structural rigidity, but this entails the increase of structural mass. If vibration could be suppressed by means of a lightweight compact device, it should immensely benefit naval vessel design.

To this end, a two‐axis active mass damper driven by a hydraulic actuator has been developed, which effectively reduces the vibration of ship superstructures. A prototype model damper unit has been tested in a laboratory, which proved to corroborate closely the high performance of the design estimated from simulated calculations.

It is shown that;

1. The acceleration generated in the model structure by a sinusoidal exciting vibration was reduced to about 1/5 upon actuation of the device, and

2. A similar reduction of acceleration, to about 1/5, was obtained when the exciting vibration wave pattern reproduced the actual movement of a ship at sea.
Applications of Superconductivity to Very Shallow Water Mine Sweeping
Authors: GOLDA E. MICHAEL , WALTERS JOSEPH D. , GREEN GEOFFREY F.
Published: March 2009

Recent experiences in the Persian Gulf have clearly demonstrated the need for improved mine sweeping, or mine counter‐measures (MCM), to support amphibious operations. Characteristics of MCM systems currently used to counter magnetic influence mines restrict sweep rates, limit the ability to accurately simulate a ship's magnetic signature, and require a minimum water depth. Advances in superconducting technology over the last twenty years have significantly increased the feasibility of superconducting mine countermeasures (SCMCM) for magnetic influence mines. An SCMCM system would be small, light, and simple compared to currently deployed MCM systems. Superconducting magnets could be fabricated in steady state configurations or configurations that would significantly improve the ability to simulate non‐symmetric, time‐varying magnetic signatures of ships. SCMCM systems could be deployed from either surface or airborne platforms. An airborne system would protect the magnet from blast damage, permit the highest sweep rates, and allow unrestricted sweeping over entire amphibious objective areas, including the surf. A light weight SCMCM system would permit use of additional airborne platforms which may include remotely piloted airborne vehicles. Remotely piloted surface or airborne vehicles would totally eliminate risks to personnel. An SCMCM system could be demonstrated immediately utilizing existing technology and may offer significant advantages over existing MCM systems used to counter magnetic influence mines in very shallow water.
CAD/CAM Goes to Sea: the SA'AR‐5 Design and Construction
Authors: LINDGREN JOHN R. , SOLITARIO WILLIAM A. , MOORE ARNOLD P. , STREIFF MICHEL A.
Published: March 2009

The SA'ARJ Corvette Program is the first major warship construction to be entirely accomplished using a 3‐dimensiona1, interference checked computer based design.

This paper discusses the organization and approach used to create the design models which form the basis for interference checking as well as the source of extracted production data. The design or product model is the nucleus of the computer data base that defines the configuration of the entire ship. The data base includes geometry, weight, and material, as well as production control data. The ability of the computer to link such diverse information is the key to maintaining configuration control during the course of the design and construction. The ease with which formatted manufacturing data (both N.C. fabrication and installation) can be extracted enables the preparation of detailed packages containing the desired geometry as well as the associated material and sequencing data, thus assuring the producibility of the design. The SA'AR‐5 design is CAD/CAM's state of the art in U.S. shipbuilding.
Comparison of Shock Test Methods of MIL‐S‐901 Derived from Tests on a Circuit Breaker & Switchboard
Authors: BRADLEY THOMAS L. , DAVES TED M. , McCAMPBELL STEVEN L. , YKEMA JOHN I.
Published: March 2009

For shipboard equipment to qualify as shock‐hardened, it must pass a shock test in accordance with the military shock test specification, MIL‐S‐901 [1]. The test methods prescribed by MIL‐S‐901 have gone essentially unchanged since 1963. All equipment is divided into three test categories, depending on weight, and a different shock test machine is specified for each weight category. The heavy weight category is further subdivided depending on the method of mounting within the ship, namely deck mounted or hull mounted.

The authors have observed cases when equipment passing MIL‐S‐901 shock qualification testing using one method (e.g., the medium weight) failed when tested on another method (e.g., the floating shock platform). Concern about this difference in shock phenomena between the approved equipment performance stimulated the authors to perform the testing and analysis presented in this paper. The thirty year old test methods which have contributed significantly to shock survivability may not always simulate adequately the actual shipboard installation during shock qualification testing, thus leading to a false confidence level that all qualified equipment will perform well in combat.

To explore the possible variations in shock phenomena from the different methods, an extensive testing program was conducted whereby a 100 ampere circuit breaker was subjected to shock testing under the four methods outlined in MIL‐S‐901D, namely, lightweight, medium weight, heavy weight deck, and heavy weight hull. The data gathered during the testing, and the performance of the equipment under test, were both evaluated and analyzed to observe differences in shock phenomena from each of the four different test methods.

The shock testing methods, the equipment which was subjected to test, the test procedures, and the results of the investigation are described in this paper. The recommendations suggest improvements to the Navy shock testing methods and procedures.
The Implementation of the Ship's Position Control System for the Royal Navy Single Role Minehunter
Authors: MABEY JOHN P. , BURT ADRIAN M.
Published: March 2009

This paper describes the Ship Position Control System (SPCS) for the Single Role Minehunter (SRMH). The SPCS is implemented using standard printed circuit boards (PCBs) from the VTC D86 range and is connected to the minehunting system via a 1553B data bus. The SPCS automatically controls the vessel during minehunting operations giving Track keeping and Hover facilities. Manual control is provided via a fixed joystick on the bridge and a portable version that may be connected to the SPCS from several positions around the vessel. An autopilot is provided for long passages.

Extensive use of a ship simulation was made during the development of the SPCS to assist in algorithm design and testing. A trials logging/tuning facility was developed to simplify trials tuning and trouble shooting that has proved to be very useful.

The SPCS has several Track keeping to Hover transition modes that enable minehunting to be carried out under fully automatic control, thus relieving the Quartermaster of a very difficult and tiring task.

The SPCS has completed its acceptance trials and is now in use by the Royal Navy. The SPCS is one of the reasons that the Single Role Minehunter is one of the most advanced minehunters in the world today.
Accuracy Requirements for Measurement Systems with Uniform and Normal Errors
Authors: SNOW JEFFREY M. , STUCKMAN BRUCE E. , USHER JOHN S.
Published: March 2009

Accuracy requirements are usually determined as a percentage of the specification range of the measured part or process. Setting accuracy requirements in this manner results in a wide and unpredictable range of false rejection and acceptance probabilities. This causes extra costs due to either: 1) over specification of measurement systems accuracy requirements; 2) time, effort, retesting, and resolution of false rejections; or 3) system degradation caused by false acceptance of out‐of‐specification parts. Achieving a consistent and known risk of false acceptance is only possible by considering the measured process Cpk, the process's mean in relation to the center of the specification range, and the measurement system error distribution.

This paper presents a method for calculating the probabilities of false rejection and false acceptance for a normal process which is measured with, alternately, uniform and normally distributed error. It is shown that under most conditions uniform error causes 20% to 30% higher false rejection and acceptance probabilities. Thus, knowledge of measurement error distribution could provide lower total production cost.
Navy High Energy Laser Weapon System
Authors: FERREIRA DAVID M. , MARCELL FREDERICK C.
Published: March 2009

This paper will historically review and describe the Navy High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS).

Advances in anti‐ship cruise missiles (ASMs), which present the greatest challenge in surface ship self defense, are necessitating the development of significantly more sophisticated and expensive surface‐to‐air missiles in order to counter the threat. The next generation of ASMs, as represented by the French ANS, will be capable of skimming only meters above the sea surface at multi‐mach speeds, while performing evasive maneuvers during terminal run‐in. This type of threat has essentially eliminated naval gun systems from the role of ship self‐defense, and has significantly reduced the effectiveness of current missile systems.

Under development for the past twenty years, the High Energy Chemical Laser appears to be a feasible solution to the ship self‐defense problem. Capable of operating effectively in all weather conditions except dense fog, a HELWS requires no conventional fire control solution, since it operates at the speed of light. Any target that can be tracked can be engaged. Furthermore, once the beam director is locked onto a target, the system is insensitive to target maneuvers. By tailoring the lase period to the threat, the effective Pk of an HELWS is essentially 1. Using chemical energy as a primary power source removes the requirement for additional costly and heavy power generation equipment aboard ship. In the context of the foregoing arguments, cost per kill becomes a fraction of the cost of a two‐round missile salvo.

The technology required to field a shipboard HELWS has been demonstrated by the Navy Mid‐InfraRed Advanced Chemical Laser (MIRACL) and the Sea Lite Beam Director (SLBD). Its success in bringing down a Mach 2.2 Vandal missile in 1989 was dramatic proof of the effectiveness of such a system. Recent studies have shown that the MIRACL/SLBD can be repackaged as a HELWS to fit into the equivalent volume occupied by a 5“/54 Mk 45 gun mount and its associated magazine. Replacing the gun system with this HELWS package would result in a 15 percent reduction in weight and translate to a 5 percent improvement in ship stability because of the weight redistribution.

The one remaining issue is an operational demonstration of the High Energy Laser Weapon System in a shipboard environment. The Navy is currently studying the possibility of conducting an advanced technology demonstration of a shipboard HELWS to begin in FY 95. Such a demonstration will be designed to resolve the remaining issues associated with using high energy lasers for self‐defense at sea.
Design and Hydromechanic Aspects of the Amphibious Transport Vessel for the Royal Netherlands Navy
Authors: HOPMAN HANS , KAPSENBERG GEERT K. , KRIKKE EGBERT MARNIX
Published: March 2009

In order to meet an increasing demand of amphibious lift capacity and logistic support, the Royal Netherlands Navy decided to procure an amphibious transport vessel (ATS), designed as a Landing Platform Dock (LPD). In the first part of this paper an outline of missions and tasks is provided, followed by a description of the preliminary design which has been produced by the Directorate of Materiel of the Royal Netherlands Navy.

The ATS, now in the final stage of the forward design phase, will be able to transport a number of landing craft, six LCVP MK HI of the R Nl Navy or four LCVP MK 9B's of the Royal Navy, in a well dock. A major requirement is that embarking and disembarking operations will be possible for sea conditions up to Sea State 4. These operations can only be possible with low wave motions in the well dock.

An extensive research program was carried out to investigate the hydromechanic aspects of the well dock design, in order to assess the safety of embarking and disembarking of landing craft and to minimize wave motions in the dock.

After performing reference seakeeping tests with a model of a proven design (Fearless class, RN) at MARIN, a preliminary design of the ATS was tested: motion and wave measurements as well as observations with radio controlled models of landing craft. A number of options for improvement of the well dock configuration were investigated.

The research provided insight in the relation between design and environmental parameters and wave motions in the dock, and resulted in a well dock design optimized for embarking and disembarking operations within design constraints.
A Microcomputer Program for Post‐Processing Side‐Scan Sonar Data
Authors: Linder C. A.
Published: March 2009

High resolution shallow water side‐scan sonars are mapping instruments that produce detailed images of the seafloor over which they are towed. Side‐scan sonars are used for a variety of applications, including geologic surveying and minehunting. Raw side‐scan data, stored on digital tape, contains many geometric and radiometric errors. Post‐processing corrects these errors and maximizes the usefulness of the data.

The Borland PASCAL program SIDESCAN has been developed for sonograph display and analysis. The program runs on standard MS‐DOS microcomputers and displays fully corrected image segments and mosaics. Merging satellite navigation data with the side scan imagery yields ground registered images, allowing a user to accurately locate (in latitude/longitude corrdinates) and measures any bottom feature or overlay bathymetric contours. A digital image of the Severn River bottom demonstrates the power of the process.
Design Algorithms for Primary and Secondary Loads on SWATH Ships
Authors: Sikora Jerome P.
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT  The scantlings of SWATH ships must be designed to withstand the primary and secondary badings imposed by the seaway. These loadings are not as well known for SWATH ships as they are for conventional monohull ships. Previous studies used Froude scaled response characteristics from model tests to predict the maximum lifetime primary loads (transverse bending of the strut and lower hull assemblies). Design algorithms were developed from these studies for ships in the 3.000 to 30.000 ton range. Lacking comparable guidance for smaller ships, these algorithms have frequently been misapplied to smaller vessels. This paper extends the previous method and develops primary bad algorithms for ships as small as 50 tons.

Also presented herein are algorithms for predicting the slam impact pressures (secondary loads) for SWATHs in the 50 to 30.000 ton size range. Slam pressure measurements from four SWATH ships and two models were Froude scaled to different size ships, pressure area curves were used to convert the pressures to one square meter patch loads, and maximum lifetime values were extrapolated using empirically derived distributions. Next, conservative design algorithms were generated for both pressure magnitudes and distributions. These algorithms are useful for preliminary design studies and are not intended to replace or supplant experimental data for a particular design.
Pearl Harbor Naval Base's Donut‐Free Bilge and Oily Wastewater Disposal Program
Authors: Gensure Lieutenant John R.
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT  In April 1991, the Chief of Naval Operations directed all Naval activities to eliminate the use of Oil Disposal Rafts (donuts) as soon as possible for the disposal of bilge and oily wastewater. Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard removed its donuts from service in 1991, and as of 1 October 1994, all donuts have been removed from service throughout the Pearl Harbor Naval Complex.

Bilge and oily wastewater are composed of approximately 96 percent water, 3 percent oil, and 1 percent sludge. Oils and metals in suspension prevent bilge and oily wastewater from being processed via conventional industrial wastewater or used oil treatment facilities.

In December 1992, Pearl Harbor Oily Waste/Waste Oil (OWWO) Task Force initiated a Bilge and Oily Wastewater Management Plan based on the utilization of Bilge and Oily Wastewater Treatment Trains for the treatment of bilge and oily wastewater. The Treatment Trains processes influent wastewater, producing solidified sludge, used oil, and treated effluent wastewater that meets federal and state discharge limits for sewage disposal.

During the period December 1992 to July 1995, Pearl Harbor Naval Base's Treatment Trains successfully processed over 11.6 million gallons of bilge and oily wastewater realizing an estimated cost savings of between $2.0 and $5.0 million over contracting out for the same service.
Powering the Future with the Integrated Power System
Authors: Doerry Norbert , Robey Henry , Amy John , Petry Chester
Published: March 2009

For the past four years, Advanced Surface Machinery Programs (SEA 03R2) has been developing the Integrated Power System (IPS) to reduce ship acquisition and life cycle costs while still meeting all ship performance requirements. IPS provides electrical power to ship service loads and electric propulsion for a wide range of ship applications including surface combatants, aircraft carriers, amphibious ships, auxiliary ships, sealift and high value commercial ships. IPS consists of an architecture and a family of modules from which affordable and high performance configurations can be developed for the full range of ship applications. Two years ago, the initial IPS concepts were presented at ASNE Day 1994. Since then, much has been learned through the Reduced Scale Advanced Development (RSAD) and Full Scale Advanced Development (FSAD) programs. This paper describes the fundamental IPS architecture, details the evolving “family of modules” and their interface standards, and outlines the “Mass Customization” based design process for achieving customer performance requirements with an affordable IPS configuration.
Risk Reduction Through Public Participation in Environmental Decisions
Authors: Rahl Gary M.
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT  Public participation has become central to environmental policy throughout the U.S. Navy, and throughout all levels of our government. In less than a decade, public involvement has fundamentally changed the government's approach to environmental decision making. However, participation can take many forms and can facilitate or impede action depending on how it is managed in particular contexts.

This paper explores several fundamental components of effective public participation, and discusses examples that provide useful lessons for individuals tasked with engaging members of the public. In assessing what constitutes effective public participation, the author suggests a role for Navy environmental managers and decision makers that protects the Navy's ability to conduct work effectively and efficiently, while recognizing the value of public involvement.
Propulsion System Simulations: Making the Right Choice for the Application
Authors: Neilson J.J. , Tarbet R.M.
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT  The effective use of simulation for the design and analysis of propulsion systems, and for operator training of these systems, requires a clear definition of the simulation's intended purpose and expected results. Issues such as model fidelity, computational performance and data requirements must be carefully balanced against the development effort and costs. The relative importance of each of these factors can only be determined once the purpose and expected outputs from the simulation are known.

Experience with some recent marine propulsion simulation initiatives has highlighted the need for clear definitions of model requirements, especially with regard to simulation fidelity and the use of physics‐based models. Marine propulsion system simulations can be used for a variety of purposes ranging from machinery performance analysis through maneuvering and seakeeping analysis to equipment health monitoring studies. This wide range of applications, with differing requirements, provides an excellent forum for examining the influence of fidelity on simulation computational performance, data requirements, and development cost. Examples from various marine propulsion machinery simulations are used to illustrate the discussion.
Naval Ship Self‐Assessment of Hull Powering Performance Using Propulsion Shaft Torsionmeters and GPS
Authors: Ricketts Udr. J. B. , Hundley L. L.
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT  A prototype procedure for U.S. Navy crews to self‐assess hull powering performance is being tested on selected Atlantic Fleet CG 47 class cruisers.

This paper describes both the logic and methodology for ship's force to perform a self‐assessment of hull powering performance using propulsion shaft torque data obtained from installed torsionmeters, shaft speed data from ship equipment, and ship speed measurements obtained from the Global Positioning System (GPS). The prototype procedure described will provide crews with accurate knowledge of ship powering characteristics at any given time and will be minimally intrusive on ship routine. Periodic speed/power measurements will enable a ship's crew to forecast the appropriate time for hull maintenance in order to achieve the goal of minimizing fuel consumption. This will result in a reduced reliance on the subjective determination of the hull condition, and will allow the Navy to better understand hull performance trends.

Technology advances have allowed this prototype hull powering assessment to be developed, and the Navy can now depart from its historically limited analysis of overall warship powering performance conducted during the life cycle of a ship. The initial clean‐hull speed/power trial can today be augmented with powering data taken throughout the ship's life by the crew. This procedure will allow an accurate quantitative study of the real effects of hull and propeller fouling to be performed.
Developing a Prototype Concurrent Design Tool for Composite Topside Structures
Authors: Dirlik S. , Hambric S. , Azarm S. , Marquardt M. , Hellman A. , Bartlett S. , Castelli V.
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT  A prototype concurrent engineering tool has been developed for the preliminary design of composite topside structures for modern navy warships. This tool, named CELS for the Concurrent Engineering of Layered Structures, provides designers with an immediate assessment of the impacts of their decisions on several disciplines which are important to the performance of a modern naval topside structure, including electromagnetic interference effects (EMI), radar cross section (RCS), structural integrity, cost, and weight. Preliminary analysis modules in each of these disciplines are integrated to operate from a common set of design variables and a common materials database. Performance in each discipline and an overall fitness function for the concept are then evaluated. A graphical user interface (GUI) is used to define requirements and to display the results from the technical analysis modules. Optimization techniques, including feasible sequential quadratic programming (FSQP) and exhaustive search are used to modify the design variables to satisfy all requirements simultaneously. The development of this tool, the technical modules, and their integration are discussed noting the decisions and compromises required to develop and integrate the modules into a prototype conceptual design tool.
Genius and Engineering: The Naval Constructors of France, Great Britain, and the United States
Authors: Ferreiro L. , Eng C. , Ing Eur
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT French, American and British warship designers know little about each other's organizations, career paths, work habits, formation—in short, what makes each of them tick. There is a direct heritage which leads from the FrenchGénie Maritimeto the British Royal Corps of Naval Constructors to the American Navy's former Construction Corps, and over the course of their histories they have greatly influenced each other. This paper compares the naval ship design organizations of France, Great Britain and the United States. It examines their historical development, compares the current organizations and design processes, the role of education and professional societies, and examines the naval constructors' careers and professional lives, including the results of a survey of the constructors in all three countries. It concludes with a justification for maintaining naval ship design organizations.
SECRETARY'S NOTES
Authors: Kruse Dennis K.
Published: March 2009

“America's shipbuilding industrial base is a critical element of our defense, economy, and world influence. MARITECH ASE teams industry, government and academia to preserve this national resource. In short, MARITECH ASE is principal to restoring this nation's shipbuilding industry.”
Future USN Aircraft Carrier Analysis of Alternatives
Authors: Raber J. D. , Perin D. A.
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT  In March 1996, the Department of Defense established a new program, then known as CVX, to develop a new class of aircraft carrier that would eventually replace the Nimitz class. The first step in the concept develop was exploring a wide range of alternative design concepts in a formal study known as an Analysis of Alternatives (AOA), which assessed their cost and operational effectiveness. About 70 total ship studies were developed to explore the range of design features, including airwing size and type, propulsion type, ship mobility performance, and a variety of survivability features. The AOA also assessed the performance of and total ownership cost of a large number of potential subsystem technologies.

This paper summarizes the total ship studies developed for the AOA, describes the ship system performance and total ownership cost of these alternatives, and discusses the rationale for determining some of the primary system requirements. Thus, the paper will provide insight into the Navy's intentions for system requirements and features to be incorporated into the U.S. Navy's future aircraft carriers.
Flight Deck Design of the Next Generation Aircraft Carrier
Authors: Baker W. , Brennan S. D. , Husni M.
Published: March 2009

ABSTRACT  The U.S. Navy's next generation aircraft carrier (CVNX) program has developed various new concept designs to improve upon the current Nimitz (CVN 68) class carrier. Significant changes in Flight Deck arrangement, operations processes, and advanced technology systems will provide an increase in aircraft sortie generation rate while decreasing manpower and cost
Systems Engineering in Naval Ship Design
Authors: Calvano C. N. , Jons O. , Keane R. G.
Published: March 2009

Awareness and discussion of systems engineering has grown dramatically in recent years, yet many of us involved in the development of complex systems find it somewhat difficult to reconcile the broad, abstract principles of systems engineering with the much more concretely understood steps involved in the engineering of our systems of interest The authors attempt to show how systems engineering can be understood to relate to the engineering process for Navy ships.

A background discussion of systems engineering definitions and methods is followed by a discussion of the fundamentals of systems and the nature of systems thinking. The process of engineering systems is presented as an iterative “design, analyze, decide” loop, which is discussed in its simplest form as well as in its application to a complex system. The role of various design and analysis disciplines is introduced. Systems engineering is related to the engineering process by showing that the systems engineering process of requirements flow down through functional allocation is critical to the validity and currency of the input to the engineering process. In addition, the application of systems thinking to the decision making inherent in the engineering process is shown to be a second critical area for the application of systems engineering. Finally, special considerations are discussed pertaining to systems engineering of naval ships as, possibly, the most complex manmade mobile systems.
Total Ship Open Systems Architecture
Authors: Vasilakos J. , Devries R. , Tompkins K.T.
Published: March 2009

This paper describes the concept of Open Systems Architecture (OSA) applied to Navy ships and the benefits that accrue. Open Systems Architecture involves the development of reference models and associated standard interfaces that can be supported by commercial industry. These interfaces open the ship to the latest commercial equipment and technologies and can provide upgradeability, flexibility, and interoperability throughout the life of the ship. While OSA benefits are well established for electronic and computer systems throughout commercial industry and the Navy, the use of OSA for the total ship, including structural, electrical, mechanical, and other shipboard system interfaces represents a new and unproven application. An Industry/Navy Integrated Process Team (IPT) for Total Ship Open Systems Architecture (TOSA) was formed at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, to develop total ship open systems.

The TOSA approach facilitates the exploitation of commercial and cooperative research and development (R&D) efforts throughout a ship's life by developing a framework of Open System Architecture and standard interfaces. By publishing the framework, future R&D can consider the available space and services that may constrain a specific function in the design of new elements.
Use of Polymeric Surfactant Infused Substrates in Removal of Emulsions and Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Aqueous Waste Streams
Authors: Alper H.
Published: March 2009

Environmental concerns and tightening regulations have taxed the capabilities of current technology to deal with oily waste. Emulsions and low‐level aromatic, polyaromatic and halo‐genated hydrocarbons have proven especially onerous. The properties and potential uses of a new type of chemical compound (US Patent #5,437,793; CAS #173967‐80‐1, 173967‐81‐2) for the purpose of de‐emulsification removal of organic compounds from aqueous waste streams are discussed relative to enhancing existing technologies and developing new ones. Specifically, the use of treated filter materials is covered for the purpose of enhancing oil‐water separation (OWS) technology by using treated filters as post oil water separator polishers. These polishers are generally capable of bringing post OWS water effluent from 150 ppm (parts per million) emulsified oil down below the 15 ppm discharge limit. Additionally, this chemistry can be infused into existing boom materials to enhance performance and minimize water drag‐out while at the same time new boom configurations can be constructed using new materials previously unusable because of their lack of attraction for oils. Treatment with polymeric surfactant (PS) chemistry renders such materials oleophilic so mat other favorable properties (i.e. buoyancy) can be exploited to provide superior performance and minimize water drag‐out.
The Measure of Performance in Logistics Acquisition
Authors: Elliott‐Brown J. A.
Published: March 2009

Acquisition reform initiatives changed the way we buy logistics are bought Structured military standards and regulations were replaced with performance specifications to enable determination up front of the best logistics resources for a system as a function of the systems engineering process. The emphasis is on planning the acquisition to know “what, how, when, where, and why” before the contract is written. The need is to incorporate “guidance” in the contract to eliminate future supportability and sus‐tainability issues and problems. The goal is to reduce redundancies in deliv‐erables, use and enhance what is available, and to be flexible and innovative in meeting logistics requirements.
Prototype Demonstration of a Stern Embarkation Platform for the AOE 6 Class: A Navy/Industry Partnership
Authors: Grasso S. , Knowles D. , Schiller T.
Published: March 2009

The US Navy is striving to reduce total ownership costs of the Fleet The operational and safety issues associated with several cases of loss or damage to AOE 6 class accommodation ladders, provided the opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of a Government‐Industry partnership and the application of proven commercial technology in reducing manpower requirements and life cycle cost, while maintaining mission capabilities of an existing U.S. Navy replenishment ship.
The USS Constitution Ship Information Book: A Means to Keep History Alive
Authors: Wasalaski R.G. , Stevenson D. R.
Published: March 2009

USS Constitution's long history has seen much in the way of different engineering methods to analyze and make necessary repairs to keep her in good condition. Though made primarily of wood, the requirements to maintain and repair Constitution's systems and equipment are the same that face our Fleet today. Today's Fleet must deal with rust, cracks, and broken equipment, while on Constitution it is decay, wood cracking/checking, and structural deformation that threatens the Navy's oldest commissioned ship. Maintenance and repair of the ship has always been a demanding undertaking because of the cost of maintaining historic engineering techniques in addition to actual preservation. Difficulties arise in trying to maintain the ship to its' 1812 configuration, since the documentation of engineering data was either never developed or lost through the passage of time, and the historic tradesmen skills and resources are no longer readily available. This is why the on‐going task of developing a Ship Information Book is so important to the continued life of Constitution. With a better foundation of engineering knowledge and available ship information documented, a maintenance and repair program can be improved to keep “Old Ironsides” alive forever.
Evolution of the Landing Period Designator (LPD) for Shipboard Air Operations
Authors: Ferrier B. , Baitis A. E. , Manning A.
Published: March 2009

The landing period designator (LPD) is primarily a visual aid that provides air and ground crew an unambiguous means of interpreting helicopter and ship safe landing and deck handling conditions. LPD, an application of dynamic interface (DI) studies, was developed to describe in real‐time the responses of an air vehicle to the boundary layer processes during air vehicle launch and recovery. LPD is an attempt to pay greater attention to the dynamic issues encountered by free bodies (air vehicles, for example) on launch and recovery. A review of the tools used to develop the LPD is made. A brief synopsis of the theory and calculation of the ship motion and dynamic interface simulation programs, is presented. The LPD is based on the evaluation of motion bearing energies collapsed into a scalar function called the energy index. The index, an empirical relation, evaluates ship motion as a function of the air vehicle limits by a process of filters designed to determine the air vehicle responses at the instant of recovery. The theory, simulation, and at sea testing programs of the LPD, are summarized. Particular attention is given to LPD responses under especially rigorous at sea pilot‐in‐loop testing conditions. Filter modifications prompted by exposure to extreme environments are discussed. LPD has been found to accurately represent a safe deck in any sea condition. More importantly, LPD has been shown to correctly identify safe deck windows even in the most severe conditions. Application of the LPD as a tool in other DI taskings is considered. In particular, the incorporation of the LPD into NSWC's active operator guidance (AOG) system as a navigational tool is presented. AOG provides the operator with the best ship's heading and speed combination to acquire a desired ship motion risk level within the wind requirements for an aircraft's operations.
A Blueprint for Solid State Automatic Bus Transfer Switches
Authors: Morris Jonathan , Sander Keith , MacDonald Joe
Published: March 2009

Solid State Automatic Bus Transfer Switches (SSABT) also known as Static Transfer Switches (STS) or Electronic Bus Transfer Switches (EBT) are poised to replace conventional Electro‐mechanical Automatic Bus Transfer Switches (ABT) in many applications in the near future. SSABTs offer faster transfer times, superior shock resistance, greater reliability and improved control when compared to conventional ABTs. The faster transfer times of SSABTs makes them ideally suited for mission critical equipment associated with the combat weapons system. As with all mission critical equipment, an application specific design should be selected to insure the effectiveness, reliability and serviceability in a shipboard environment.
MicroRNAs as a therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Mishra Paras Kumar , Tyagi Neetu , Kumar Munish , Tyagi Suresh C.
Published: March 2009

Introduction

Biogenesis of miRNAs and their regulatory mechanisms

MiRNAs in cardiovascular diseases

MiRNAs in hypertrophy

MiRNAs in cardiac fibrosis

MiRNAs in arrhythmia

MiRNAs in myocardial infarction

MiRNAs in heart failure

MiRNAs in angiogenesis

MiRNAs in cardiomyopathy

MiRNAs in antherogenesis

Role of Dicer in cardiomyopathy

MiRNAs ‐ a new strategy for treatment of cardiovascular diseases

Therapeutic challenges and their remedies

Approaches of miRNAs in cardiovascular therapy

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are tiny, endogenous, conserved, non‐coding RNAs that negatively modulate gene expression by either promoting the degradation of mRNA or down‐regulating the protein production by translational repression. They maintain optimal dose of cellular proteins and thus play a crucial role in the regulation of biological functions. Recent discovery of miRNAs in the heart and their differential expressions in pathological conditions provide glimpses of undiscovered regulatory mechanisms underlying cardiovascular diseases. Nearly 50 miRNAs are overexpressed in mouse heart. The implication of several miRNAs in cardiovascular diseases has been well documented such as miRNA‐1 in arrhythmia, miRNA‐29 in cardiac fibrosis, miRNA‐126 in angiogenesis and miRNA‐133 in cardiac hypertrophy. Aberrant expression of Dicer (an enzyme required for maturation of all miRNAs) during heart failure indicates its direct involvement in the regulation of cardiac diseases. MiRNAs and Dicer provide a particular layer of network of precise gene regulation in heart and vascular tissues in a spatiotemporal manner suggesting their implications as a powerful intervention tool for therapy. The combined strategy of manipulating miRNAs in stem cells for their target directed differentiation and optimizing the mode of delivery of miRNAs to the desired cells would determine the future potential of miRNAs to treat a disease. This review embodies the recent progress made in microRNomics of cardiovascular diseases and the future of miRNAs as a potential therapeutic target ‐ the putative challenges and the approaches to deal with it.
A morphological study of granulomas induced by subcutaneous injection of leuprorelin acetate
Authors: Watanabe T. , Yamada N. , Yoshida Y. , Yamamoto O.
Published: March 2009

Leuprorelin acetate‐induced granulomas in subcutaneous injection sites have been occasionally reported, but there have been no detailed morphological examinations. Histopathology of leuprorelin acetate‐induced granulomas in six patients was studied, and one of them was evaluated by electron microscopy. Study using haematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that there were many intracytoplasmic vacuoles in the granulomas and degeneration of fat tissue. Ultrastructurally, electron‐lucent spherical bodies (microcapsules of leuprorelin acetate products) were observed in the granuloma cells. Needle‐shaped crystalloid structures in lipid droplets (degenerated lipid droplets) were observed in the granuloma cells and fat tissue. Degeneration of fat tissues caused by leuprorelin acetate is one of main factors responsible for granuloma formation.
High prevalence of ‘Borrelia‐like’ organisms in skin biopsies of sarcoidosis patients from Western Austria
Authors: Derler Anna Maria , Eisendle Klaus , Baltaci Mehmet , Obermoser Gerlinde , Zelger Bernhard
Published: March 2009

Background: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disorder of unknown aetiology with frequent skin involvement.

Objective: To investigate the frequency of ‘Borrelia‐like’ organisms in cutaneous sarcoidosis (CS) by focus‐floating microscopy (FFM).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 38 CS specimens by immunohistochemistry with polyclonal anti‐Borrelia antibody and assessment by FFM.

Results: Specimens of 34.2% CS were positive for ‘Borrelia‐like’ organisms by FFM. Usually single spirochetes, rarely pairs or small clusters of bacteria were observed between collagen bundles or at the periphery of granulomas. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed in addition in 11 cases and was negative in all biopsies.

Samples of erythema migrans served as positive controls: 92.3% of 39 samples were positive by FFM, but only 46.6% gave positive results by PCR. Of 61 negative controls only one specimen was falsely positive by immunohistochemistry.

Conclusion: Detection of ‘Borrelia‐like’ organisms by FFM in tissue sections of CS underlines the possibility that such microorganism may be involved in the pathogenesis of some cases of CS.
Macular lymphocytic arteritis: a unique benign cutaneous arteritis, mediated by lymphocytes and appearing as macules
Authors: Saleh Zenus , Mutasim Diya F.
Published: March 2009

Background: Macular arteritis (MA) is a term coined for a cutaneous vasculitis that manifests as multiple macules that favor the lower extremities and that reveal lymphocytic inflammation of an artery in the deep dermis and subcutaneous fat.

Methods: We describe the demographic, clinical, histologic, and laboratory findings in three new cases and review seven previously reported cases of MA, and discuss the nosology of MA.

Results: MA affects predominantly females (70% or 7/10) and individuals of African‐American race (50%). Eight patients had hyperpigmented patches, one had hypopigmented macules, and one had erythematous macules. The lower extremities were involved in 100% of cases, followed by the upper extremities (44%). Light microscopic changes are those of a medium‐vessel lymphocytic arteritis. Investigations for possible causes are non‐revealing.

Conclusion: We conclude that MA is a primary idiopathic cutaneous lymphocytic arteritis that is limited to the skin.
Tattoo‐associated keratoacanthomas: a series of 8 patients with 11 keratoacanthomas
Authors: Fraga Garth R. , Prossick Trisha A.
Published: March 2009

Background: Keratoacanthoma is interpreted by many dermatopathologists in the United States as a form of squamous cell carcinoma that can spontaneously involute. Rare examples arising in tattoos have been reported in the literature.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed all cases from our institution received between 2000 and 2008 for any that reported a tumor within a tattoo.

Results: We identified eight patients with keratoacanthomas that arose within tattoos. One of the patients had four separate keratoacanthomas arising within two separate tattoos. Red tattoo ink was associated with 82% of the keratoacanthomas.

Conclusions: Keratoacanthomas are more common than previously reported in tattoos and are easily misinterpreted. The association with red tattoo ink suggests a form of hypersensitivity‐associated with adnexal hyperplasia. Tattoo‐associated squamous tumors with innocuous nuclei, infundibulocystic structures, adnexal hyperplasia, and signs of regression should be reported as keratoacanthomas rather than as variants of squamous cell carcinoma.