How about a prototype for an air cushioned catamaran that could serve as a ship to shore connector, deliver heavier loads at less power output, is beachable, and is able to deliver its cargo/passengers there with less discomfort than a standard LCAC or LCVP?
Oh and did I mention that its able to do all that in heavier sea states than the LCAC can while traveling at higher speed?
Well this project conducted in conjunction with ONR proved all of the above and then some. The only question is...why go through all the trouble of proving this DARPA hard research (to include building a prototype) and then abandon the research?
I have no idea...but the missing link in the sea base (if it actually gets built...something I seriously doubt in a shrinking Navy and limited budgets) has been found.
We just weren't bold enough to chase it. Read more about it here and here.
Looks very similar in concept to this PASCAT craft being developed for the Royal Navy (by a hovercraft company, interestingly). It sounds like one of those rare 'win-win' technology developments, getting the speed and some of the mobility of a hovercraft, but the heavy lift and usability across different sea-states of a traditional landing craft.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.griffonhoverwork.com/posts/25
Sounds a little like the Surface Effect Ships they tested in the 60's and 70's. Basically a hovercraft with hard sides.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface_effect_ship
Exactly how beachable is it? The article states that 80% of the displacement is taken on the air cushion. It's not clear given the configuration how unloading from the bow portion on the beach would be accomplished? The design doesn't seem to lend itself to a bow landing ramp without scaling up quite a bit to allow a deck below the bridge.
ReplyDeleteThere are large catamaran ferries with a bow ramp operating today that go 45 knots but they're 280 ft. While a useful design it seems more geared toward operating off a pier unless it's significantly scaled up. It would, however, be interesting to know the minimum size that could take a bow ramp?