During 1984 to 1991, naval research experienced a shift toward systematic, computer-assisted design and optimization. Researchers increasingly combined empirical data with theoretical models to explore trade-offs among safety, weight, and cost early in the design process, foreshadowing modern CAE workflows. Parallel emphasis on hull form resistance, propulsion integration, and maneuvering under varying loading conditions fostered reproducible, criterion-based assessment and spurred automation concepts in ship control.