Chapter 4 Combat Systems, Subsystems, and Maintenance

CHAPTER 4 COMBAT SYSTEMS, SUBSYSTEMS, AND MAINTENANCE LEARNING OBJECTIVES Upon completing this chapter, you should be able to do the following: 1. Identify the combat systems reference manuals for your class of ship in a combat systems environment. 2. Describe the subsystems that comprise shipboard combat systems. 3. Identify the objectives of the combat systems test and evaluation program. 4. Describe the functions of the ship’s electronics readiness team. 5. Discuss integrated maintenance as it pertains to combat systems maintenance. 6. Identify maintenance testing required in a combat systems environment. 7. Describe the goals of fault isolation. INTRODUCTION The outputs of combat systems equipment into the combat direction system (CDS) and weapons sys- Compared to older combatant ships, today’s com- tem control equipment must be accurate (within as- batants have more, and increasingly complex, elec- tronics and weapons equipment and systems. There- fore, changes must be made to the traditional organi- zation of division responsibilities. This means com- bining some of the responsibilities of the combat systems/weapons department. In the past, technicians were only concerned with maintaining their assigned equipment so it would operate when it was needed. Now, under the combat systems concept, technicians must also ensure the accuracy of their equipment and system outputs into the combat system. Therefore, technicians must cross traditional boundaries and become familiar with the operation and capabilities of the overall system. signed standards): Without accurate signals and data, the ship may not be able to perform its combat mis- sion. Current practice has one officer, the combat systems/weapons officer, in charge of all weapons systems (all weapons and electronics subsystems) maintenance. This integrates the maintenance of all electronics and makes the ship more capable of ful- filling its mission. In some configurations, it is possible that the engineering department will supply personnel for supporting systems, such as gyro distribution, cool- ing systems, primary power, and secondary power. 4-1