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R/V Kilo Moana > SWATH Design

SWATH DESIGN__________

The main purpose of the AGOR 26 program is to extend the ability of the research fleet to perform research in higher sea states. A stable research platform has always been a high priority with the scientific community and is becoming even more important with the growing interest in performing research in extreme latitudes. The SWATH type hull form was selected because it offers better operability in high sea states compared with a conventional monohull of similar size. The relatively deep draft of a SWATH hull form, relative to an equivalent monohull, will improve sonar operation by limiting bubble sweepdown in higher sea states. The Navy has had outstanding results with their SWATH ocean surveillance vessels and was eager to apply the concept to an oceanographic research vessel.

The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Program Executive Office Expeditionary Warfare, PMS325, is the program office for the acquisition of R/V KILO MOANA. The Oceanographer of the Navy is the resource sponsor.  The mission sponsor is the Office of Naval Research (ONR), which will also manage the vessel after delivery. 

The Navy has taken an innovative approach to the acquisition of this unique ship. The ship is being procured under the provisions of Section 845 of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY94, as amended by Section 804 of the National Defense Authorization Act of FY97. This act, known as "Section 804", permits the Navy to use a commercial approach to the acquisition process, free from the normal FAR/DFAR regulations. This has resulted in considerable savings in time and money over a conventional acquisition approach.

Central to the Section 804 process is the use of an Industry-Government team approach to the design and construction of the ship.  Integrated Product Teams (IPTs), including Government, Industry and operator representatives work in a collaborative environment from concept design through detail design and construction. Through this process, all parties are able to contribute to the design and are kept informed throughout the process. This approach has paid considerable dividends in terms of a comparatively short design development and the elimination of costly change orders. 

The Industry Team is led by prime contractor Lockheed Martin Corporation, which is responsible for overall program coordination as well as leading the concept design development. Guido Perla and Associates is the design agent. Electronic Design Incorporated (EDI) is the Propulsion System Integrator. Atlantic Marine, Inc. is constructing the R/V KILO MOANA in their Jacksonville, Florida shipyard.

 

For more technical information, please see the AGOR26 site.

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Last updated 05/03/2002 14:23