Advanced Submarine Control

Existing secondary propulsion systems have played an insignificant role within the submarine mission profile. They are relegated to secondary missions and provide a minimal thrust profile. Reliability of these systems is also an issue since they are complicated with many moving parts and driven by external hydraulic systems. Advanced Submarine Control would incorporate COTS vector thrusters, Variable Frequency Driven motors, dynamic positioning control and situational awareness sensors. This system would provide the next generation naval platforms with mission specific capabilities ranging from enhanced littoral and minefield navigation to automated mooring and unmooring. The vector thrusters would be driven by Variable Frequency Driven electric motors which eliminate external hydraulics for auxiliary propulsion. This approach increases reliability and availability and reduces maintenance. ASC would provide potentially enormous cost of life ship savings through reduced manning requirements, elimination of secondary support cost such as tug fees accrued during mooring evolutions as well as reduction in maintenance cost associated with existing secondary propulsion mechanical control systems. Once ASC is integrated into a VIRGINIA Class Block IV the operators would have tremendous ship control especially in coastal areas and transiting rivers and bays.