EXPENDABLE SHIP REPLICA

THE TEST AND EVALUATION OF WEAPONS SYSTEMS, PARTICULARLY SMART WEAPONS, IS DEPENDENT ON TARGETS WHICH ACCURATELY REPRESENT SURFACE SHIPS TO DETERMINE HOW THE WEAPON RESPONDS ON ITS FINAL APPROACH TO THE TARGET. OLD, OBSOLETE SHIPS HAVE BEEN USED AS TARGETS, BUT THE INVENTORY IS DEPLETED AND SUITABLE ALTERNATIVE TARGETS ARE REQUIRED. THIS STUDY INVESTIGATES THE EMPLOYMENT OF LARGE, SHIP-SHAPE METALIZED BALLOONS AS AN ALTERNATIVE METHOF OF REPLICATING A SHIP AT SEA. THE STUDY IDENTIFIES MATERIALS FOR DURABILITY, EASE OF MANUFACTURE, AND ELECTROMAGNETIC RESPONSE. DESIGN CRITERIA AND FABRICATION METHODS ARE ESTABLISHED IN CONJUNCTION WITH STABILITY REQUIREMENTS AND ATTACHMENT OF SIMULATED EMITTERS. ALTERNATIVES FOR PROPULSION POTENTIAL, STATIONKEEPING AND SUPPORTING AUXILIARY ELECTRICAL POWER DEMANDS ARE EXPLORED. STORAGE/SHIPPING CONTAINERS, DEPLOYMENT METHODS, AND REPAIR/REUSE REQUIREMENTS ARE IDENTIFIED. THE CONCEPT OF USE AS A SHIP'S DEFENSIVE DECOY IS PRESENTED. THIS INCLUDE VERY RAPID DEPLOYMENT METHODS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR APPLICATION AGAINST ATTACK IN VARIOUS WAR-AT-SEA SCENARIOS.