An Assessment of Full-Scale, Land Based Testing of Surface Ship Propulsion Systems at the Naval Ship Systems Engineering Station (NAVSSES)

摘要

The United States Navy conducted its first full-scale, land based test of a surface ship propulsion system at a manufacturer's facility in 1937. Since 1941, the United States Navy has evaluated full-scale, surface ship propulsion systems at a single facility. Originally known as the Fuel Oil Testing Plant, the facility had several name changes before being designated the Naval Ship Systems Engineering Station (NAVSSES) in 1979. Over 72 years, NAVSSES has evaluated 12 full-scale surface ship propulsion systems; 6 systems for new ship classes, 5 experimental systems, and 1 system for a foreign military vessel. While previous papers have addressed an individual test, or a specific test site, this paper uses all 12 full-scale surface ship propulsion system tests to assess the value of land based to the Navy. Full-scale, land based testing provides significant advantages in demonstrating readiness for transition to acquisition, in the reduction of acquisition program risk, and in improving engineerig support during service life. The approach of the United States Navy to full-scale, land based testing is compared to that taken by the Royal Navy. Land based testing versus installation in a test ship is also discussed.