Section 3 Performance requirements
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Submarine Assurance Framework, July 2022 - Volume 1 Submarine Assurance - Part 4 Whole Boat Requirements - Chapter 9 Obsolescence - Section 3 Performance requirements

Section 3 Performance requirements

Parent topic: Chapter 9 Obsolescence

3.1 Policy and principles

3.1.1 An obsolescence management plan shall be provided which references the Navy obsolescence policy and defines: organisational roles and responsibilities, principles, activities, monitoring, reporting and methods of evaluation.

3.1.2 Design principles are to be defined to mitigate the impact of obsolete systems, equipment and components. The principles are to be communicated to the designer, builder and supply chain. They may address:
  1. Modular design;
  2. Interface specification;
  3. Supply chain agreements;
  4. Preservation of tools, design and manufacturing knowledge;
  5. Use of open standards;
  6. Sustainable technology;
  7. Multiple supply lines;
  8. Advance purchase; and
  9. Planned replacement refresh or upgrade.

3.2 Assessment

3.2.1 An obsolescence assessment is to be undertaken to determine the risk, likely timeframes and methods of control associated with obsolescence.

3.2.2 The systems, equipment and components shall be decomposed to an appropriate level whereby the obsolescence risk can be adequately determined to derive actions and methods of control. The decomposition shall consider physical assets, consumables, materials, software, systems and services. The decomposition may consider consumables, skills and supporting services. The criticality of the component, product or system to submarine function and safety shall be determined.

3.2.3 An assessment of the obsolescence risks shall be made for critical systems, equipment and components taking account of: change in technologies, commercial viability, availability of subcomponents or materials, loss of manufacturing capability, loss of skills or knowledge, regulatory or legal impact, licences, geopolitical influences and natural disasters.

3.2.4 Actions and methods of control to manage obsolescence risks are to be identified and their implementation managed.

3.3 Monitoring and review

3.3.1 Arrangements are to be provided for monitoring and managing obsolescence notices, legislation changes and loss of suppliers.

3.3.2 The obsolescence assessment is to be reviewed and updated on a regular basis and following change or modification of the submarine systems, equipment and components.

3.3.3 Actions and methods of control to manage obsolescence risks are to be monitored and actively managed through the submarine lifecycle.

3.3.4 Where replacement parts are no longer available, an engineering justification is to be provided for alternative solutions.

3.3.5 Alternative solutions are to comply with Design Verification and Product Verification requirements.

3.4 Planned replacement

3.4.1 A plan is to be provided for the removal of systems, equipment and components which have a limited life, or which are highly likely to become obsolete before the end to the submarine design life.

3.4.2 The systems, equipment and components with a limited design life are to be provided with sufficient life at the start of build or replaced at start of submarine trials.

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