| 
"Thanks to
the skill and hard work of the Amite Foundry and Machine (workers),
a piece of our city will travel the world in democracy and freedom.
-- Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in
a letter at the bow casting of the future USS New York with steel
salvaged from the World Trade Center, 9 September 2003.
|
 |
The LPD 17 Program acquisition strategy has relied heavily on the
use of technology as a means to define requirements, explore and
evaluate design alternatives, test and evaluate the design, streamline
production sequencing, mitigate risk, and improve Program cost and
schedule control. The LPD 17 M&S Program is based upon the requirements
and fundamentals discussed in the DoD/DoN 5000 series of Directives
and Instructions and the DMSO Verification, Validation and Accreditation
(VV&A) Recommended Practices Guide.
The LPD 17 VV&A Guide is tailored from the DMSO VV&A Recommended
Practices Guide and is used by LPD 17 team members to define and
create the VV&A activities and documentation required for each
M&S activity. The VV&A Guide assists team members as they
establish the level of credibility for their specific M&S effort
by providing both a process framework and a set of minimum requirements
for each M&S activity family. These requirements take a “reasonable"
approach to establishing an M&S application's credibility, with
the ultimate goal being that M&S requirements are well defined
and understood; that the capabilities, limitations, assumptions,
and approximations of the application are documented and understood;
that the performance of the application selected meets the M&S
requirements of the task; and that the input data used is correct
and sufficiently accurate.
State-of-the-art Modeling and Simulation
videos clips are available for download in most sections below.
Please be aware that these may be very large files and require a
significant amount of time for download, depending on your connection.
You can download viewing utilities here:
QuickTime
(for .mov)
Windows
Media Player (for .avi)
WinZip
(for .zip)
The Design Review process involved assessment of the ship design
using two- and three-dimensional graphic visualizations, generated
from the LPD 17-product model. These visualizations display a design
zone's structure and systems used to study space, shape, and arrangement.
In addition, installation sequence, interference, checking lines-of-sight,
and accessibility will be evaluated for the purpose of design, assessment,
engineering analysis, planning, and instruction.
The 3D-visualization assessment has the capability to conduct virtual
walkthroughs for human systems ergonomic assessment. This capability
will support the evaluation of human line-of-sight, both internal
and external to the space, with movement and reach. The ergonomic
tools enabled the design team, human interface engineers, and the
"ownership" to assess the human’s ability to perform
desired job functions for a specific ship design. Three levels of
electronic visualization have been identified to accomplish design
review derived from the existing features of the ISDP CAD and visualization
tools. The design review process hinged on the incorporation of
these tools and the level of visualization they provide.
 "Airlock"
.mov | .avi
Click here to download a video of troop movement through an airlock
which illustrates the utilization of the M&S Toolset for design
review.
 Virtual
Crew is a new concept used by PMS 317 during the LPD 17 detail design
to improve the Quality of Life and reduce Total Ownership Cost of
the LPD 17 Class of ships by receiving and utilizing unfiltered
input from Marine and Navy end-users, who operate, maintain, train,
and live on the ships.
Fleet Personnel, who volunteered from East and West Coast Navy
and USMC commands, comprise members of the Virtual Crew project.
Primary afloat command representation came from COMPHIBGRU TWO and
COMPHIBGRU THREE staff and crew members from SURFLANT/SURFPAC amphibious
ship. Shore-based command crewmembers included COMOPTEVFOR, ATG,
INSURV, and SIMA Norfolk and SIMA San Diego.
By way of video teleconferencing, Virtual Crews take "virtual
tours" of the design zones of the ship via a 3D model at initial
reviews, 50% design reviews, and 90% design reviews.
Virtual Crew members suggest design refinements, which are reviewed
and then integrated into the LPD 17 3D model for implementation
before construction of the ship. For instance:
- Space design may be modified for more efficient use of space
and ease of maintenance
- A better Class of pump may be suggested to decrease repair frequency
- Equipment may be relocated for ease of use or accessibility.
By considering inputs from Virtual Crews - the future users, operators,
and inhabitants of the ship - overall performance and quality of
life can be notably improved at minimal cost. Incorporating these
inputs during the detain design phase will greatly reduce Total
Ownership Cost by minimizing the need for redesign and modification
after production.
With the completion of design, the design review aspects of the
Virtual Crew ended after examining over 350 ship spaces. However,
ownership involvement has not ended as listed below:
- The Production Team continues to interact with the waterfront
experts for specific questions, using the LPD 17 War Room administrator
at EWTGLANT as a conduit
- The Ownership Team continues to work with Fleet Production Teams
with respect to training issues, technical manuals, and courseware
development
- The LPD 17 Combined Test Team has a sustained Operational Assessment
partnership with COMOPTEVFOR subject matter experts
- The LPD 17 Program Office co-hosts the Fleet Introduction Integrated
Product Team. with chairpersons from COMLANTFLT and COMPACFLT,
meeting three times a year in Avondale, Little Creek, and San
Diego.
The LPD 17 Modeling and Simulation toolset supports production
planning at both the individual level and as well as entire ship
production sequence. Currently this level of simulation has enabled
shipbuilders to actually plan and model equipment installations
down to the number and type of crane lifts required. In some instances,
through the simulation the Production Team discovered obstructions
electronically that when physically moved aboard saves hours and
dollars.
"Unit
3200" .mov | .avi
Click Here to download a video demonstrating an individual unit
sequence.
"Ship
Sequence" .zip
Click Here to download a video demonstrating the entire ship sequence.
Electronic mockups are 3-Dimensional (3D) computer generated graphic
visualizations of the ship’s compartments, structures and systems
constructed for the study of space, shape, arrangement, installation
sequence, interference's, lines of sight and accessibility. The
general requirements and expected usage of electronic mockups are
similar to those for physical mockups, yet, they are intended to
be maintained for the life of the ship. Electronic Mockups are also
capable of conducting virtual walkthroughs utilizing a human systems
ergonomic assessment tool, incorporating movement and reach, in
order to assess the human ability to accomplish desired job functions
within the design. The mockup’s function as a tool to assist
with the development of ships construction drawings during the design
phase; they also function as an aid in development of improved ship
production techniques and to demonstrate specification compliance.
Multiple levels of visualization are available using the LPD 17
M&S toolset. Level 1 Visualization facilitates the viewing
of wire frame models and shaded surface models (with and without
view point control); collision checking between compound solid models;
cutting plane specification and visualization; and equipment and
structural attributes of two or more workers talking, reviewing
and resolving "local" design issues. The latter occurs
on a frequent and on-going basis as these individuals conduct initial
engineering design reviews, interference checking, space surveys
(rooms, passageways, overhead clearances, physical measurements,
and access), and systems discussions (piping, electrical, fire fighting,
lighting, etc.). Tools used at this level are Intergraph Design
Review (IDR)-hosted on a Windows NT workstation, and ISDP-hosted
on a Solaris CAD station. Visual presentation media include large
monitors and transparencies with discussions conducted at the desktop.
Level 2 Visualization maintains all Level 1 functionality
and also adds the ability to view the geometric relocation of the
visual representation of a CAD object and the ability to tag presentation
objects with text to indicate problems (which can then be stored
in the design tool database for later extraction). This level of
visualization is used by multi-disciplined groups of people, up
to 10 or more, informally discussing production and maintenance
processes and zone specifics, as well as conducting virtual walk-throughs
and periodic iterative design, review, and problem resolution, on
an as-needed basis. Tools used at this level are IDR-hosted on a
Windows NT workstation and ISDP-hosted on a Solaris CAD station.
The DENEB tool suite is hosted on a Silicon Graphics Onyx. Visual
presentation media include large monitors and transparencies with
discussions conducted in the various IPT rooms.
Level 3 Visualization maintains all Level 2 functionality,
and adds the ability to perform dynamic geometric modeling, texture
mapping, and immersion. This level is used by large, multi-disciplined
groups to formally discuss a simulation to validate its design (ergonomic,
kinematic, dynamic, production sequence, and lighting); to engage
in detailed design review, resolution, and data extraction; and
for training on an infrequently scheduled basis. These events are
highly structured with planned presentations. Tools used at this
level are IDR-hosted on a Windows NT workstation and ISDP-hosted
on a Solaris CAD station. The DENEB tool suite is hosted on a Silicon
Graphics Onyx. Visualization at this level also employs heads up,
tracking, and stereographic devices. Visual presentation media include
a theater or EVS room outfitted with VTC equipment.
Also used at this level is "texture mapping" of selected
components of an electronic mockup. Texture mapping adds realism
to a space and helps the viewer feel as though they were "in
the space." Texture mapping also allows for the creation of
simpler library parts. With a texture map, a simple box can look
as real as the actual item. Texture mapping is applied in DENEB
to the ISDP-generated library part. Below video illustrates the
following four approaches to texture mapping: 1) No texture mapping;
item is translated directly from ISDP into DENEB; 2) item is texture
mapped with a line drawing from a technical manual; 3) item is texture
mapped with an "enhanced" line drawing from a technical
manual (the line drawing is colorized before application; and 4)
item is texture mapped with a digital photograph of the actual item.
The most realistic texture mapping version is number 4. To achieve
this effect, a level, full-front view color digital photograph of
the actual item is needed. Back or side views are not required.
The photos can be saved in a ".tif, .bmp, or .jpg" format.
"ISDP
- DENEB Segue" .zip
Click here to download a video which demonstrates the three levels
of 3D visualization, from CAD through non-enhanced DENEB
to enhanced DENEB. (WinZip 18MB)
The baseline ammunition cargo handling capability of the LPD 17
was analyzed using modeling and simulation techniques to confirm
that the current ship design was capable of supporting its amphibious
lift requirements. The simulation also incorporated the ultimate
test with a modeled forklift retrieving the largest ammunition case
expected to be carried in the LPD 17 from the most remote area of
the magazine and successfully delivering it the weapons elevator.
The analysis concentrated on confirming that:
- The ship's baseline cargo load-out volume and mix could physically
fit within the confines of the ship's structure while not violating
clear height restrictions.
- The cargo handling equipment is capable of moving and positioning
the cargo pallets within their performance capabilities.
- The cargo handling equipment is capable of moving and positioning
the cargo pallets within the cargo magazines without structural
interference.
- The cargo handling equipment is capable of moving and positioning
the cargo pallets throughout the elevators, main vehicle and main
decks without violating structural or vehicular interference.
- The time required to execute a specific offload event was within
the ship's operating requirements.
"Magazine"
.mov | .avi
Click Here to download a video demonstrating cargo handling.
The Food Service System Study was an engineering design analysis
task whose goal was to reduce queuing time for serving and seating
food service customers, as well as, quantify the effect an increased
number of seats in the crew and troop messroom would have on queuing
time. The analysis performed incorporated modeling and simulation
to assess the manning and workload requirements and the ability
of the baseline Food Service System and the proposed Advanced Food
Production System to serve all embarked personnel within the designated
measures of performance, while focusing on process improvement,
manning and workload requirements and traffic flow opportunities.
This effort was a process improvement opportunity whereby a new-to-the-Fleet
advanced food production process was to be validated for potential
meal preparation, process flow, and crew waiting time improvements.
The methodology used for the modeling and simulation study was iterative
by nature and followed a systematic procedure that ensured the project
was conducted in an organized, timely fashion with minimal waste
of time and resources and maximum effectiveness in achieving the
objectives. The methodology was as follows: Plan the Study, Define
the System, and Build the Model, Run Experiments, Analyze Output,
and Present Results. Three software packages were used in the successful
completion of the study: Service Model (discrete event modeling),
Stat: Fit (statistical software), and the Manpower Management System
(workload analysis and manpower requirements determination). To
ensure the accuracy of the analysis, Team 17 members embarked in
an amphibious ship with troops embarked to see actual situations,
challenges, and efficiencies inherent in serving hundreds of Sailors
and Marines several thousand meals a day.
The key accomplishments of the Food Service System Study included:
Developing the Manpower Management System (MMS) and populating it
with the data collected; Successful Verification, Validation and
Accreditation of the Food Service System Baseline and the Food System
Advanced Food Production models. The key analysis and process improvement
accomplishments of the study included using the models developed
for analysis of study objectives and "what if?" analyses.
These accomplishments determined the food production manpower requirements
for the LPD 17 baseline and advanced food production scenario; in
turn, projecting the LPD 17 mess room seat utilization rates for
the baseline and AFP scenarios, serving and seating queuing data
for the baseline and AFP scenarios and projecting the LPD 17 food
service system throughput, and comparing the baseline scenario performance
measures to the AFP performance measures to determine if one system
would be beneficial over the other. Furthermore, the simulation
answered the fleet’s question – could the food service
team prepare food, serve it, and clean efficiently to fully support
1200 Sailors and Marines in a timely manner? The answer was an unequivocal
“yes.”
An electronic mockup of the rescue boat handling and stowage system
has been developed. This mockup will be used to analyze the system's
design and to confirm the effectiveness of the design from both
crane operations and boat stowage perspectives. A dynamic analysis
will be performed for the LPD 17 boat and cargo crane, during boat
launching and retrieval operations. It will be a load-based model,
capable of calculating, graphing, and recording the load on the
crane and the line handlers throughout the launching and retrieval
process in a given sea state. Early in design the demonstrated to
fleet Bos’n Mates that boats could be safely launched and
recovered in Sea State Three.
"Boat
Valley" .mov
| .avi
Click Here to download a video demonstrating rescue boat handling
and stowage.
| LPD 17 Rollover
Timelapse Video
2.91MB, .mpg
The 21 second timelapse video of the launch of the LPD 17 USS Antonio,
released July 2003.
Full LPD 17 Highlight
Video
Streaming video for broadband users.
A 10 minute, 30 second full overview of the San Antonio Class, released
March 2002.
To play: Click on the link of the preferred file type. Video clips
will be launched in the browser. Use your browser's back button to return
to the LPD 17 site. IE will launch .avi files in an external player.
Get QuickTime
(for .mov)
Get Windows
Media Player (for .avi)
Get Real
Player (for .mpg)
To download a file to your drive: Right click on
the file type and choose "Save Link/Target as..."
|
|
AAAV |
|
|
|
Airlock |
|
|
|
Airwake |
|
|
|
Berthing |
|
|
|
Boat Valley |
|
|
|
Bow Flyover |
|
|
|
Electronic Classroom |
|
|
|
Flight Deck |
|
|
|
Fly-around |
|
|
|
Forward Mast |
|
|
|
Galley |
|
|
|
Gun |
|
|
|
Magazine |
|
|
|
Main Machinery Room |
|
|
|
Stretcher |
|
|
|
Unit 3200 |
|
|
|
Welldeck |
|
|
|
|
 |
Streaming video of the Modeling and Simulation videos
will be coming soon to the LPD 17 Web site.
Meanwhile, you can click here
to jump to a table of all M&S videos available for
download. |
|
 |
|
