UNDEX Testing: When, Why How It Began

摘要

This paper traces the history of ship shock testing from its early beginning. Shock testing techniques and instrumentation methods from the 1875 test of the British steamer Oberon through modern at-sea live-fire programs are presented. Following WW II with ship losses fresh in mind, much emphasis was placed on ship survivability. Advanced instrumentation techniques and codes have been developed. The need for continued research into ship survivability testing and mission accomplishment into the foreseeable future is discussed.