Using Mathematical Modeling and Set-Based Design Principles to Recommend an Existing CVL Design
Masters thesis — Naval Postgraduate School, 2017. Full text: https://archive.org/details/DTIC_AD1046831
Arguments
Using Mathematical Modeling and Set-Based Design Principles to Recommend an Existing CVL Design
It puts a method behind the distributed-vs.-concentrated naval debate — instead of point-optimizing one ship, map the whole design space and keep options open until the constraints are known.
Nimitz- and Ford-class supercarriers' size and expense are a strategic vulnerability in a future maritime conflict; light aircraft carriers (CVLs) would reduce the risk to grand strategy and cut life-cycle and operating costs, provided a CVL can carry the needed mix of rotary-wing, fixed-wing, electronic-attack, and unmanned aircraft — and set-based design can produce the feasible CVL by mapping the trade space in tonnage, launch method, propulsion, and performance.
Why it matters
It puts a method behind the distributed-vs.-concentrated naval debate — instead of point-optimizing one ship, map the whole design space and keep options open until the constraints are known.
Use when: When the stakes are high and the future is uncertain, map the trade space before picking the answer — set-based design narrows many options in parallel instead of betting on one.