Surface Effect Ship Design: New Life as an Unmanned Surface Vehicle?

In the early 80's, I supported an engineering team working to build a surface effect ship (SES). In 1974, the Navy expressed an interest in constructing a 3000 ton, 80 knot guided missile destroyer. A text released in 2000, Theory and Design of Air Cushion Craft (ISBN 0340676507) reconstructs the interesting history of Rohr Marine and their work to build the technical infrastructure needed to construct and test such a vehicle.

Today the Navy has an Landing Craft Air Cushion Vehicle, which has been used during some anti-terrorist operations. The last of these were built in 2001.

Between 2000-2003, Navatek modified the original SES-200 frame. It was put back into technology evaluation status yet again as the IX-515, or Sea Flyer, through ONR funding. The result is also known as the Hybrid Small Waterplane Area Catamaran (HYSWAC). One source indicates that this ship will be used to train crews for the LCS X-craft or Sea Fighter, a high speed catamaran design.

Could a USV version of the Sea Fighter be in the works?

A rich collection of SES photos and drawings has been collected by SeaRider Inc.

UAS Videos at YouTube

A playlist of UAS videos posted to YouTube - collected by Knowlengr.

Fire Scout's Checkered Past

A story by Defense Industry Daily (DID) observes that the Fire Scout VTUAV program has suffered its share of wind shear. First the Navy started it, then canceled it. The Army picked it up. Then Navy reconsidered and restarted funding. DID points out that its destiny is tied to two controversial, and large programs, Future Combat Systems, and Littoral Combat Ships.

An undated announcement at the NAVAIR web site signals a departure from this predicament.

Recently, Mr. John S. Thackrah, ASN (RDA) approved the decoupling of the VTUAV program schedule from the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). This will maintain the VTUAV FY09 Initial Operating Capability. The Fleet Forces Command is in the process of identifying an air-capable ship to use for integrated testing. This capability will be delivered to the warfighters as soon as possible. [Viewed May 4, 2009].