THE EFFECT OF CUMULATIVE ALIGNMENT ERRORS ON OVERALL COMBAT SYSTEM PERFORMANCE AND PROPOSALS FOR THEIR REDUCTION

This paper demonstrates that from a mechanical point of view cognisance should be taken of not only the 'usual' alignment elements of seating tolerance, static tilt and azimuth/elevation errors, but also of errors that could be introduced by dynamic tilt due to flexure of the ship's hull. It can be shown that any errors generated between two elements of an integrated system are fundamentally a function of the installation tolerances and ships flexure. Of these two, ships flexure is generally the dominant element and this is particularly true when the two elements of the system are separated by more than 10m. In the case of sea state zero (a theoretical sea state) obviously installation tolerances are then dominant. It appears that the 'tight' installation tolerances called for by weapons manufacturers are not necessary, particular as it should be recognised that most present day weapon systems, if not all, utilise a computer and hence could use software to correct for errors. It is concluded that consideration be given to undertaking a study that would investigate the possibility of the software being dynamically updated with error correction information to enable the controller of a weapon system to overcome errors produced by such elements as hull flexure.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • RINA, NAVTEC '90, Interaction Between Naval Weapon Systems and Warship Design; Intl Conf; 20-21 Nov 1990; London, ppr 5 [9 p, 3 ref, 3 tab, 4 fig]
• Authors:
  • Jowett, D W
  • Smith, D L
• Publication Date: 1990

Language

• English

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alignment; Flexure; Integrated systems; Military vessels; Weapons
• Old TRIS Terms: Flexing
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00700664
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Maritime Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 14 1995 12:00AM