A seakeeping performance and affordability tradeoff study for the Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter

Abstract

The United States Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter program requires a method to analyze trades made between performance and affordability. Models of seakeeping performance were developed using linear seakeeping analysis, and a cost model was adopted from previous research. Both models were integrated into a decision support tool. Entering a notional Offshore Patrol Cutter design into the tool revealed that the program would likely perform well but could have a high cost risk. The decision support tool connects the two competing ideas of seakeeping performance and system affordability for program managers, while allowing different designs to be tested. Additional research into this topic should consider using more accurate seakeeping analysis techniques to create more accurate seakeeping performance prediction models.