DESIGN VALIDATION USING COMPUTER-MODELS IN LIEU OF FULL-SCALE MOCKUPS

For many years the complexity of submarine design has required the construction of full-scale mockups to integrate the system designs, plan the construction, and verify the operability. In the late 1980's, computer technology evolved to allow ship design to be accomplished by developing comprehensive mathematical models of the ship's arrangement. Imaging of these models creates a virtual reality of the ship's interior. This paper explores the features of this technology that emulate the function of the physical mockup, discusses experience to date in the SEAWOLF design at Newport News Shipbuilding in applying CAD technology as a mockup alternative, and looks to the opportunities that are available in the near term.