Naval craft design under civilian influence: modern naval design and construction techniques are evolving to reduce the final cost of a naval vessel to the taxpayer. These same design and construction techniques are also improving a ship's performance, resilience, service life and environmental impact.

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Naval technology

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Naval craft design under civilian influence: modern naval design and construction techniques are evolving to reduce the final cost of a naval vessel to the taxpayer. These same design and construction techniques are also improving a ship's performance, resilience, service life and environmental impact.

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Navies worldwide are facing the problems of personnel recruitment and retention. They are not alone as their sister services also face these significant challenges and, like their air force and army counterparts, they are approaching this problem in an innovative fashion. One method being employed is to build parts of new naval vessels to commercial shipping standards.

The author recently visited the French Navy's new amphibious assault helicopter carrier Tonnerre. The vessel was remarkable for its wide, uncluttered corridors and bright open spaces that one would usually expect to find on an upmarket ferry or cruise ship. Crew accommodation was comfortable with large bunks, and cabins equipped with functional yet attractive furniture. The Tonnerre was a far cry from the French Navy's...

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