A ships Radar Cross Section (RCS) affects the range at which Navy surface ships can be detected and targeted by adversary radar and missiles. Currently, RCS can either be quickly estimated, with high error margin, by comparing the candidate ships shape and size to known ships or accurately calculated through modeling and simulation efforts over several months. An approximate analysis method is needed that allows for rapid assessment of multiple design considerations and tradeoff studies during the preliminary ship design phases. Temeku proposes a methodology, the RCS Estimation Method, which manifests itself in the creation of a Signature Management Tool (SMT) that allows the user to go from concept to RCS analysis in a day and also define, maintain, and augment high fidelity models. This solution uses software applications created and validated over the past ten years, such as the Hip Pocket Estimator and Pretty Good RCS Code 0x9D (PGRC). The integration of these applications into the SMT allows RCS analysts to create RCS budgets and analyze a design concept within a day. Once completed, an expert user of the SMT can save many man-years of effort associated with concept development, minimizing analysis lag, and redesign activities.
Benefit: The Signature Management Tool (SMT) proposed for this effort is an integrated RCS budgeting and analysis software capability that is anticipated to reduce the time for developing accurate RCS predictions for ship platforms from months to days. The software will provide an RCS focused tool for both management/acquisition personnel and signature design engineers and enable rapid, yet accurate RCS assessments during concept design phases through production of Navy ship platforms. The SMT will allow for an unprecedented knowledge of RCS performance during the earliest points of design; affording a new level of signature management and integration with conventional naval architecture design development activities. The fundamental RCS Estimation Method which serves as the basis for the applications integrated in the tool is independent of the platform being evaluated and therefore allows the SMT to support RCS budgeting and analysis for other DoD assets and agencies such as the Army, Air Force, or USSSOCOM. Because of the significant time reduction in using this tool compared to conventional RCS analysis activities, Temeku anticipates that users can evaluate more signature related design trades and optimize ship design features in a very cost effective manner. The SMT will facilitate more affordable signature design activities for both DoD prime contractors as well as the Acquisition Program Offices that are evaluating concepts proposed. The tool can also help to drive more affordable signature solutions through early evaluation of RCS signature contributors and mitigation concepts.
Keywords: RCS Estimator, RCS Estimator, Hip Pocket Estimator, Integrated Hip Pocket Estimator & PGRC Analysis Software Tool, Integrated RCS Budgeting & Analysis software, PGRC, RCS Software
