THE TESTING OF A NEW SHIP CLASS - THE USS-ARLEIGH-BURKE

The USS Arleigh Burke, being the first of a new class of ships, presen ted many challenges to both the production and test crews that worked on her. This paper discusses the unique conditions that the Aegis Test Team faced in the completion of the test program. A historical perspe ctive of why the Arleigh Burke class was chosen as the battle force co mbatant, differences between the Ticonderoga class design and how they forced a re-thinking of the classic test plan, time proven versus inn ovative testing techniques, and unique problems encountered and their solutions are discussed. The paper highlights the fundamental differen ces between the planned ship design, construction and test plan caused by the fluctuations of the dynamic shipyard environment.