Signature studies for naval vessels

Signatures of a naval ship are crucial information to safeguard the ship from any external threat. These are stealth related operational information that signifies the capability of the vessel to camouflage from any detector and remain invisible to operate safely. The ship’s acoustic, magnetic, radar, infrared, pressure and electric signatures help in estimating the vulnerability of the ship to these numerous threats from enemy. These signatures can be categorized as underwater and above water signatures. The underwater signatures are the electric, magnetic and acoustic signatures which constitute the low frequency zone and the above water includes the high frequency radar cross section and infrared signatures. Estimation/ prediction, management and reduction of these signatures makes the ship undetectable and survivable at sea.

IRClass offers the services to predict the following signatures of naval vessels –

• Underwater Radiated Noise (URN)
• Radar Cross Section (RCS)
• Magnetic Signature
   

The predictions are based on various numerical techniques such as Finite Element Perfectly Matched Layer (FEPML), Computational Electromagnetics (CEM), etc. Numerical assessment can help in not only the predictions but also to take decisions on mitigation measures e.g. structural modifications, degaussing, applying radar absorbing material, etc. to keep the vessel signatures within desired limits.

Techniques used for signature prediction such as CEM methods are used in analysing ICCP systems for commercial shipping (container vessels) as well. Similarly, with growing concern for environmental impact of commercial shipping predictions and minimization of URN for commercial vessels will become the essential part of ship design in near future. In this context minimizing URN will be the task for all ship designs. And IRClass can assist ship designers in these aspects.