Design considerations for shielded compartments in warships

The design and construction of a modern warship offer a major challenge to an EMC engineer. By its very nature a warship is an extremely complex structure. It accommodates a multitude of complex electronic/electrical systems encased in a steel hull sitting on one of the best conducting media-water. To further complicate the situation these equipments are required to operate simultaneously. Being a mobile platform, a warship is required to operate in widely varying electromagnetic environments. As a result, the equipment fitted onboard is expected to operate satisfactorily and in a compatible manner in the most trying EM environment. To enable the sensitive equipment installed onboard a warship to operate in this ambience in a mutually compatible manner, it is necessary to provide shielding by housing them in specially designed and constructed shielded compartments. This paper deals with the various aspects to be considered in the design and construction of a shielded compartment onboard a warship. It also addresses the measures undertaken to ensure the maintenance of the designed EMC features throughout the lifecycle of a warship.