Thesis (M.S. in Operations Research)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2008. / Thesis Advisor(s): Nussbaum, Daniel A. "December 2008." Description based on title screen as viewed on February 2, 2009. Includes bibliographical references (p. 77). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--Naval Postgraduate School, 2003. / Title from title screen (viewed Aug. 3, 2004). "September 2003." Includes bibliographical references. Also issued in paper format.

Thesis (M.S. in Operations Research)--Naval Postgraduate School, September 2003. / Thesis advisor(s): Thomas Lucas, Russell Gottfried. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / This thesis uses an agent-based simulation model named EINSTein to perform an exploratory study on the feasibility of using Littoral Combat Ships (LCSs) to augment or replace the current defenses of Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESG). Specifically, LCS's ability to help defend an ESGs in an anti-access scenario against a high-density small boat attack is simulated. Numbers of CRUDES (CRUiser, DEStroyer, Frigate) ships are removed and LCSs are added to the ESG force structure in varying amounts to identify force mixes that minimize ship losses. In addition, this thesis explores various conceptual capabilities that might be given to LCS. For example, helicopter/Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (helo/UCAVs), Stealth technology, close-in high volume firepower, and 50+ knot sprint capability. Using graphical analysis, analysis of variance, and large-sample comparison tests we find that being able to control aircraft is the most influential factor for minimizing ship losses. Stealth technology is another significant factor, and the combination of the two is highly effective in reducing ship losses. Close-in high volume firepower is effective only when interacting with helo/UCAVs or stealth. 50+ knot sprint capability is potentially detrimental in this scenario. An effective total sum of CRUDES ships and LCS is between five and seven platforms. / http://hdl.handle.net/10945/855 / Lieutenant, United States Navy

Amphibious ships, configured with floodable well decks, present a unique challenge to the Ship Design Team to incorporate maximum troop, cargo and vehicle capacity, along with sufficient well deck size, to facilitate efficient operation of LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion) and other amphibious assault craft in support of power projection operations. Analysis of the various LSD 49 Class alternative designs, revealed significant variance in the stability limits for each design. These variations appeared to be directly attributable to wing wall size, as well as to the geometry of the well deck. In order to better understand the effect of these items, and to develop guidelines for future design efforts, this study concentrated on evaluating the stability limitations for various combinations of beam, well deck configuration, and wing wall size using an LSD 49 Class proposed hull form. The results indicated that the most significant parameter affecting the stability of the LSD 49 Class is the height of the well deck above the baseline. The higher the well deck, the smaller the loss of waterplane inertia caused by the entrance of flooding water into the well deck compartment. For lower well decks, the loss of waterplane inertia is more critical at smaller values of beam, but becomes less critical at the upper values of beam considered. In these cases, off-center wing wall flooding becomes more critical, and it is more advantageous to devote larger percentages of beam to the well deck compartment. / M.S.