US Navy shock trials ensure ship survivability against underwater explosions

The U.S. Navy littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) successfully completes the first of three scheduled full-ship shock trials in June 2016. The shock trials are designed to demonstrate the ship's ability to withstand the effects of nearby underwater explosions and retain the required capability.
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The littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) successfully completes the first of three scheduled full-ship shock trials. October 2016. (Picture source US Navy)

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD) recently worked alongside Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and Naval Sea Logistics Center (NSLC) to establish a new official online database called eForms for all Navy shock data for shock hardened shipboard equipment across the Fleet.

Naval ship systems and equipment must meet survivability requirements. Shock qualification verifies equipment will not fail if the ship’s hull experiences an Underwater Explosion (UNDEX) event. NSWCPD serves as the NAVSEA lead for shock qualification for Navy shipboard equipment.

The Electronic Shock Module of eForms, known as eShock, was developed to serve as an agile and secure way to store and access official Navy shock data. Shock qualification of shipboard equipment provides a baseline level of survivability independent of threat. Qualified equipment ensures ship survivability and keeps the sailors safe.

USS Jackson (LCS-6) is an Independence-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy, it is the third Independence-class littoral combat ship to be built. Jackson was built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.[1] Jackson is the second Independence-class ship to carry standard 7 meters (23 ft) long rigid-hulled inflatable boats and improvements in corrosion protection and propulsion over the original Independence (LCS-2) design. It was commissioned in December 2015, in Gulfport, Miss.

The Independence-variant is an aluminum trimaran design originally built by an industry team led by General Dynamics Bath Iron Works for LCS 2 and LCS 4. Currently, Independence-variant LCS (LCS 6 and subsequent even-numbered hulls) are constructed by Austal USA in the company's Mobile, Alabama, shipyard. The littoral combat ship (LCS) is able to swap out mission packages, adapting as the tactical situation demands. The ship features advanced networking capability to share tactical information with other Navy aircraft, ships, submarines, and joint units. 

The USS Jackson (LCS 6) is a 417-foot ship weighs in at 3,100 tons. It can travel at speeds in excess of 40 knots. The USS Jackson is homeported at Naval Base San Diego.