Operational availability (Ao) of warships: A complex problem from concept to in service phase

Budgets for defense are shrinking and human resources are becoming more critical, while operational needs, to face new threats, and availability requirements of Warships are increasing. This requires a new design approach - based on operational availability (Ao) - for Warship and associated support system, in order to achieve the best balance between Ao and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) along the whole operative life. During the in service phase, a measurement process (of Ao and other appropriate KPI) is to set up in order to adjust or improve Warship availability performances. To achieve these goals, proper design processes, methods, models and tools (analytic and simulation based SW tools, or statistic SW tool and recording devices) are key factors. All the above areas have been handled and developed by OSN in the FREMM Program that is an “Availability based Contract”.