Future crew optimization tools in the Swedish Navy

This project aims to investigate how crew optimization can be supported in the Swedish Navy and to identify important factors in the ship manning process. A concept for a future crew optimization tool has been developed and is presented in this report. A demo has been created in Macromedia Flash to communicate ideas and functions of the concept. This project is a continuation of the earlier FOI study, Bemanningsreduktion YS-Ny (in Swedish). The survey of today´s ship manning process in the Swedish Navy shows a relatively low possibility of crew-optimization. Ship manning is performed with a long term perspective, not for specific missions or exercises. With the laws and regulations that control the Navy, the tasks and platforms ordered to the Navy and tradition, few possibilities of crew optimization are given. With the continuous improvement of technology in training, communication, sensors and intelligence crew optimization ought to be a possibility in the next generation of Swedish Navy vessels. More accurate information and intelligence gives the commanding officer better conditions to plan the mission and optimize the crew for the tasks at hand. Changes are needed in current Navy regulations as well as platforms and traditions.