Navy/Marine Corp Team's Analysis of Integrating USMC's State-of-the-Art Heavier and Larger Vehicles and Aircraft Onboard USN Ships

摘要

This paper describes the impact of heavier and larger United States Marine Corps (USMC) vehicles, equipment, and aircraft on amphibious ship structure and stability characteristics. The impacts described herein represent the results of an ongoing analysis and study as part of the air combat element (ACE)lground combat element (GCE) integrated product team (IPT). There has been a growing concern regarding newer USMC GCE equipment and their effects on vehicle deck structural integrity and ship load limitations. Additionally, growth in the ACE and GCE has impacted the overall ship stability characteristics of in-service amphibious ships. This paper aims to provide the reader, whether a novice or an expert in the field of naval architecture, with useful information, describe tools in development, as well as outline the impacts that future designs of equipment may have on existing platforms.