SURVIVE for Ships and Submarines

The SURVIVE^TM suite was initially developed by QinetiQ in 1995 as a vulnerability assessment tool for naval vessels and commercial shipping.

A computer model is built describing the internal and external structure.

Logical systems such as communications, ventilation and propulsion are then developed using the equipment. In order to do this the ship and the systems can be viewed in a variety of different forms. The equipment that makes up the systems can be viewed in three dimensions, to check their position on the vessel.

The systems, their component equipments and the interconnectivity can also be viewed.

The user then has a choice of new or predefined weapons, attack grids and damage mechanisms. A linear 2D grid of attack points is the most effective at highlighting vulnerable areas e.g. The red spheres on the image below show where a particular system is most Vulnerable to a particular weapon.

Attacks can also be based on input from susceptibility codes such as TMSS (Total Mine Simulation Software), ODIN and SPECTRE (see images below).

TMSS mine detonation points and SPECTRE missile attack vectors

SURVIVE^TM rapidly simulates the effects of various weapons on structures, systems and people. The simulation can be repeated at several thousand locations. Analysis reveals how survivable a platform is on average, where its weak points are and where improvements can be made.

SURVIVE^TM has been extensively validated against data from: high-seas firings, small-scale trials, large-scale trials and wartime incidents. SURVIVE^TM has a proven track-record in the UK defence industry, and is the MOD's tool of choice for whole warship vulnerability assessment. It is the only available code that can consider all aspects of systems vulnerability.

It was used during the design of the Type 45 Destroyer and CVF aircraft carrier to ensure the survivability of future Royal Navy platforms. Recent projects have included work for: BAE Systems Ltd, Thales Naval Ltd, and the UK Governments.