The advancement of technology has revolutionized the way naval vessels operate, with advanced electronics playing a crucial role in ensuring the readiness and effectiveness of modern naval fleets. From critical applications like targeting, radar, and communications to basic functional monitoring and controls, the electronic infrastructure of marine vessels must withstand long deployments in harsh environments. Protecting sensitive electronic equipment presents a significant challenge to naval design engineers, who must consider a wide range of environmental factors when selecting appropriate enclosures for marine electronics.
There are three main categories of considerations that designers must address when choosing enclosures for naval electronics: mechanical, electrical/electromagnetic, and environmental factors. Mechanical considerations involve ensuring that the enclosures can withstand high-impact shock testing, mechanical vibration testing, and other physical stresses encountered during naval operations. Electrical and electromagnetic considerations focus on protecting the electronics from external electromagnetic interference and containing emissions generated within the cabinet. Environmental considerations include testing for salt fog resistance to prevent corrosion from exposure to saline air during sea deployments.
To meet the stringent requirements for shipboard equipment, design engineers often refer to standards set by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). These standards, such as MIL-DTL-901E for mechanical shock testing, MIL-STD-167-1A for mechanical vibration testing, and MIL-STD-461G for electromagnetic compatibility testing, ensure that enclosures can withstand the rigors of naval operations and combat environments. Additionally, MIL-STD-810E specifies salt fog testing to protect equipment from corrosion caused by exposure to saline air during sea deployments.
While adhering to these standards provides a baseline level of protection, every naval application is unique, requiring customized solutions to address specific challenges. Design engineers can benefit from modular, scalable, and customizable enclosure platforms that allow for modifications to meet specific application needs. These modifications may include custom vibration dampening, active cooling solutions, ruggedized power distribution, and EMC shielding, among others.
Thermal management is another critical aspect of protecting naval electronics, especially with the deployment of high-speed computing systems in modern naval vessels. Traditional cooling methods like convection and forced air may not be sufficient to handle the increased thermal load generated by advanced electronic systems. Designers often rely on a combination of cooling systems, including liquid cooling, to ensure the optimal operation of naval electronics in high-density computing environments.
In addition to meeting technical requirements, it is essential to ensure compliance with cybersecurity regulations and quality standards when selecting suppliers for naval electronics infrastructure. DFARS compliance, ITAR certification, ISO and AS9100 quality certifications, and robust counterfeit-parts prevention programs are some of the considerations when choosing a supplier partner for naval electronics.
In conclusion, ensuring the reliability and availability of shipboard electronic systems is crucial for naval readiness. By addressing common mechanical, electrical/electromagnetic, and environmental challenges, design engineers can specify electronics enclosures that meet military and government specifications, are customized to unique application requirements, and are sourced from reputable suppliers with robust quality controls. This approach ensures that mission-critical electronics equipment can withstand the demanding conditions of naval operations and combat environments, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of modern naval fleets.