Feasibility of using Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) for Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief (HA/DR) operations

Abstract

This thesis addresses the feasibility of using Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) in conducting Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief (HA/DR) operations and analyzes the suite of LCS mission packages in conducting HA/DR operations through a Systems Engineering study. The current preference for HA/DR operations is on using big decks, e.g., Amphibious Ship and Aircraft Carriers to maximize the lift capability of supplies, such as medical supplies, food, and water. The trade-off of using big decks instead of small ships such as the LCS is to forfeit speed and the ability to dock nearer to shore, yet having the fuel capacity to travel long distances, and also the capacity to carry large loads of supplies. The thesis focuses on two main areas. The first is to study the feasibility of the LCS to conduct HA/DR operations. The second is to study the HA/DR operations functional allocation, and propose possible Concepts of Operations (CONOPs) and mission package for the LCS to effectively carry out the operations.