Vibration analysis of the AN/SPS-67(V)3 surface search radar

Abstract

Modern warships rely greatly upon electronic systems for their combat effectiveness, as well as defense. The ability of the U. S. Navy to maintain sea control and to project sea power depends upon the state-of-the-art combat systems equipment. Shipboard combat systems must, therefore, be shock hardened to be capable of operating in the combat shock environment. The structural survivability of the mast and antennae and hence, the shipboard combat systems, is a shock induced vibration problem in which relatively low frequency equipment responses are observed. The structural survivability of combat systems can be 'designed in' through the application of modern digital techniques for measuring and analyzing dynamic phenomena. The purpose of this study was to build and demonstrate the practical value of a finite element model of the AN/SPS-67(V)3 surface search radar which when validated by experimentally obtained shock qualification data can serve as a powerful tool toward improving survivability of combat systems. The finite element model developed may be used to compute predicted shock-induced accelerations, velocities, displacements, and shock spectra resulting from UNDEX in order to evaluate the potential for antenna structural survivability or vulnerability on an existing platform. Furthermore, the antenna finite element model may be used in the design of new mast-antenna systems