Using a systems engineering process to develop a parts harvesting procedure in support of decommissioning MCM-1 class ships

Abstract

This thesis uses systems engineering principles and an evolutionary process model to develop a parts harvesting procedure for the Mine Countermeasure (MCM-1) class ships. This procedure will facilitate harvesting required components from a decommissioning MCM-1 class ship that will be refurbished for reuse on the remaining in-service ships. These harvested components are critical to ensuring MCM-1 ships can conduct mine countermeasure operations by having required repair parts to keep the systems functioning as designed. Additionally, the harvested components will help the ship class meet expected service life. Parts harvesting is required to keep the ships operational due to various system(s)’ single point failure design, installed equipment material low-permeability requirements, and limited overall part demand for the mine countermeasure unique systems. The parts harvesting process developed is executable, cost-effective and critical to ensuring the MCM-1 class ships are materially able to operate as designed. Various systems engineering tools are utilized in the parts harvesting procedure to assess the ship as an overall system, determine critical components, establish sparing requirements, and minimize cost for repair parts. The procedure includes identification of components to harvest, funding and execution of harvesting operations, warehousing, refurbishment of harvested components, disposal, and measuring procedure effectiveness.