SYSTEMS ENGINEERING METHOD AND TOOLS FOR CAPABILITY-BASED APPROACH IN NAVAL SHIPS DESIGN

The intensive integration of technology and the demand for high-level performance characterize warships, making them one of the most complex systems today. A proper design process capable of foreseeing in a life cycle perspective is essential to effectively implement the emergent properties and capabilities required for warships in various operational profiles. This thesis aims to explore the integration of the Systems Engineering (SE) approach into naval ship design, fostering an innovative perspective. Following an analysis of traditional design methodologies and the Systems Engineering approach, a potential integration of the Design Spiral method with SE will be described. An example of how the industry is currently striving to integrate SE concepts in the field of warship design will be presented through the ASNET software application, developed by CETENA S.p.A. and supported by the author. The approach proposed in this thesis establishes a connection between the two realms of the Design Spiral and the SE, putting the basis for a novel and comprehensive perspective where the ship Platform and the so-called Payload are intricately interconnected.