The Maritime Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Navy Department have announced, the award of Maritime Administration contracts for the implementation of the Joint 100-ton surface-effect-ship (SES) testcraft program to both the Aerojet-General Corporation, El Monte, Calif., and the Bell Aerosystems Company, Buffalo, N.Y.
These cost-plus-incentive-fee (CPIF) type R&D contracts will be incrementally funded. Funding for each contractor in the current fiscal year is $1.55-million and will cover detailed engineering design.
The contracts will be managed by the Joint Surface Effect Ships Program Office (JSESPO). This office reports to both the Commerce and Navy Departments. The 100-ton testcraft programs are a major phase in JSESPO's long-range efforts to determine the feasibility of building and operating large, high-speed SES of 4,000 to 5,000 tons and capable of 80 knots or higher speed.
These testcraft will provide developmental testing on a major scale in actual sea conditions. In addition they will provide vitally required information on alternate design configurations, structural, lift, propulsion and flexible seal systems. This type of surface effect ship rides on a cushion or bubble of air rather than cutting through the water like displacement ships. This bubble of air will be contained by rigid sidewalls, and by bow and stern seals of flexible material similar to that used by today's air cushion vehicles. These configurations will allow the testcraft to achieve very high water speeds of 80 knots or more.
The Bell craft will be propelled by supercavitating propellers driven by gas turbine engines, whereas the Aerojet craft will use waterjet propulsion units driven by gas turbines.
Artist's conception of 100-ton SES proposed by Bell Aerosystems. This testcraft measures approximately 72 feet long and has a width of 33 feet. It is being designed for speeds in excess of 80 knots.
Artist's rendering of SES proposed by Aerojet-General. The design calls for a vessel 80 feet long and 37 feet wide. When built, construction would be at Tacoma Boat Building Company, with testing on Puget Sound.