USE OF SHIPBUILDING 4.0 TECHNOLOGIES FOR ENHANCING THE LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT OF NAVAL SHIPS

Abstract

Shipbuilding 4.0, having developed from Industry 4.0, has been making a substantial imprint in shipbuilding organization and operation, across many countries worldwide. In the present era, where the expansion of the world navies is being restrained by budget availability for new ship acquisition, the use of Shipbuilding 4.0 in the Life Cycle Management of naval ships will enhance some opportunities for optimizing the Life Cycle Cost of their fleet on the efficiency and effectiveness fronts. Adapting Shipbuilding 4.0 involves implementation of advanced technologies such as Robotics and Automation, Digital Twins, Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Additive Manufacturing which could exert substantial influence on all the Life Cycle Management of naval ships. The article examines how the various Shipbuilding 4.0 technologies may be integrated within the Life Cycle Management of naval ships to improve Logistics Support quality and optimize Life Cycle Costs. The integration of the Shipbuilding 4.0 also introduces numerous challenges to address, particularly with regard to the security of operational and engineering data, much of which constitutes classified military information.