The Advanced Technology Corvette - Railgun (ATK-R) Design Study - Future Weapons and Small Ship Power Systems

Abstract

SynopsisHigh-power electric weapons, such as the ElectroMagnetic RailGun (EMRG), laser and High Power Microwave devices are moving closer to practical utilisation by navies, and prototype EMRG systems are being tested at militarily useful energy levels. Previous work in the UCL Department of Mechanical Engineering includes; preliminary design studies for surface combatants with an all-electric weapons outfit; and detailed marine engineering analysis, to PhD level, of the implications for future power and propulsion systems of these weapons. Design studies for electrically armed ships have generally examined large destroyer-sized surface combatants, with significant installed electrical power. This paper describes a concept design study for a small corvette-sized combatant, ATK-R, developed as the "minimum sized ship" capable of supporting an EMRG as its primary armament This paper describes the UCL ZEOLIT design tool, the ship design impacts and marine engineering integration of this future concept including the use of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and the choice between power limited (Patrol vessel -like) and power dense (Fast attack craft -like) power and propulsion systems.

Transient performance of alternatively fueled internal combustion engines for naval applications

“…Traditionally, naval vessels require a high dynamic load capacity on the propulsion engines for high maneuverability [6]. Moreover, with recent developments in naval rail guns and directed energy weapons the required dynamic load capacity within the electric power generation is increasing as well [7]. To solve this dilemma, engineers and scientists need to investigate and improve the transient behaviour of piston engines running on low reactivity fuels.…”