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NAVY NEWS, AUGUST 1983
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Step by step to a new ship Right
is used to program How the hull arrangement on the ship of the completed build up a model - (from left) the hull is and GODDESS computer added; then the major developed; main decks and other bridge the hangar, minor bulkheads; items of and finally the major superstructure; and sensors. machinery, weapons
- Mr. John Holness runs a tank calibration program at a GODDESS work station.
AUGUST sees the 100th anniversary of the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors - maritime architects and engineers who have designed Britain's Fleet through two world wars and many minor ones. But during the last five years the methods of the RCNC have undergone a revolution at the Corps' Bath headquarters. GODDESS has arrived on the scene and she is waving what is to the layman a magic wand in aid of the Navy's ship designers.
Computer has star role in
ship design
WHEN that bottle of champagne explodes against the bows of Britain's first Type 23 frigate, it would not be inappropriate if she were to be named HMS Goddess. The honour would hardly be lost on the men and women who develop and use the GOvernment Defence DEsign System for Ships (GODDESS), the world's most sophisticated unit of its kind.
For GODDESS created the Type 23, the first major warship anywhere to Data processor Mrs. Ann Wheatley uses the digitising system to Technical Development Manager Mr. Doug Pattison (left) and be evolved from inception by extensive input a set of ship's lines into a micro-processor before transferring Computer Operations Manager Mr. John Bailey pictured with one of use of advanced graphic displays and the data to GODDESS. the GODDESS graphics display screens. computers. Members of the Royal Corps of design, consultations with the Navy new bulkheads were fitted to Mr. Doug Pattison, Technical ComputNavalinstance, Constructors at the Ship Demay not have considered using convenwhich provides the original specificaional techniques. the Rangatira to divide up her open partment, Foxhill, do not exactly woring Development Manager. He said tions leads to alteration', which may When the is in consulcar deck, thus reducing the risk of fatal design agreed ship GODDESS, but they, certain sing plans for that future involve extending have a on endurance, tation with the Naval Staff it is handed the range of the system to include her praises as she knocks months off bearing stability, flooding should she be holed. and over to the weight, speed, safety, manpower And when ships were slink. GODtheir task of providing the Fleet with shipbuilders. "They carry coinpa rat se cost ngs of ship designs out the detailed work space. but we do DESS teams worked round the clock and modifications, and increased capathe ships it needs for the 1990s. design At virtually the touch of a button, not expect them to have to make any to assess what had happened and bility, to design pressure hulls for GODDESS will tell the architect what whether the result was unexpected " Her temple major changes,'' said Computer submarines. In 1986 the whole system will be the effect of any, change or will be transferred to a larger, multiOperations Manager Mr. John Bailey. given the extent of the damage. Her temple is a carefully airinnovation. For instance, the task of While still locked in the computer user computer. conditioned suite of rooms, an inner a to a second " disc, the ship may be subjected to Hull cracks There it no doubt that a goddess has modifying frigate operate sanctum closed to the uninvited, in can be and not held as much sway in Bath since helicopter quickly easily every form of ill-treatment she could from the development of new Apart which is stored the anatomy of today's accomplished. possibly meet on the high seas. the Romans worshipped Minerva there ships, constructors are engaged in and tomorrow's Royal Navy. Torpedoes, bombs and missiles are in their military heyday. And it is the Studies which may typically studies on the structural strength of GODDESS contains over 120 inter"fired" at her in a grim sabotage game head of that idol of wisdom whose take up to 5,000 hours can be older frigates and the problems of hull active programmes covering all aspects played out to assess the strength of the stone relics were unearthed in the reduced to 500 hours or less using cracks in the Type 21s. Some intelliof the concept and feasibility of wardesign in war conditions. ancient spa which was chosen as the the system. Within a matter of gence work is also undertaken in an ship design. Since 1978 the computer weeks rather than months, the "During the Falklands conflict we symbol of the design system. to assess the strengths and attempt studied the body plans of civilian ships, system has played an increasing role in But there are no illusions at Foxhill project team has created a design weaknesses of ships under the flag of a the development of all major surface as to who holds the fundamental power which is very clearly defined. feeding them into the computer to see potential enemy. what would happen if they were warships and is now the single most and skill. Man created GODDESS and Major projects involving vessels GODDESS helps the weapons uses her in the service of the Navy. important aid to preliminary design. damaged," said Mr. Bailey. to enter service with expected the Naval architects operating graphic GODDESS studied STUFF ships to "Ship design at Bath is based on engineer to place guns and missile in the next decade Royal Navy ensure that damage control would be launchers in the most effective posievolution rather than revolution and display units can create a design which include initial of the design the computers, however sophisticated, appears in three dimensions on the tions and where they will not damage reasonably effective and that, loaded unit's TV-type screen. The designer to the gunwhales with fuel and stores, Trident-carrying submarines the ship when fired, regardless of the are just a tool," said Mr. Pattison. the underwater craft conbiggest may then move elements in any direcvessel's attitude or the sea state. they would retain an acceptable degree "They help us to carry out our work Britain. tion within the screen and can zoom in of stability. templated by faster and more effectively. We do It also helps naval architects, to study specific areas. Sometimes ships were altered to "The Ship Department is very dewhat we have done for the past 100 engineers and technicians to explore During these early stages in the new aspects of ship design which they provide more safety in action. For pendent on GODDESS," observed years design ships."