Stiletto Stealth Ships: Look Different. Ride Different.

[kach22i]

M-Hull





Link:
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...index.php#more

DID has covered the late Vice-Admiral Cebrowski's legacy at the Pentagon's Office of Force Transformation. With the formal roll-out of the 88-foot Stiletto stealth ship and its cutting-edge "M-Hull" wave-damping design, that legacy takes another step forward. The Stiletto is part of Project WolfPac, which aims to test new concepts of shallow-water and riverine warfare organized around swarms of smaller, affordable ships linked by communications. SOCOM's Navy SEALs are reportedly quite enthusiastic about the Stiletto, which can slip into shallow waters, launching inflatable boats and even UAVs while serving as a communications hub via its "electronic keel." Best of all, the M-Hull significantly reduces the pounding its occupants take from waves - poundings that can cut careers short due to back injuries.

nterestingly, the M-hull evolved from a challenge to help solve the serious problem of wave erosion to the ancient buildings of Venice, Italy. Since the streets of this city are water, the authorities were faced with the unique problem of reducing waves created by motorboats to protect the foundations of the buildings along the canals. Chuck Robinson, who lives in the USA but has an apartment in Venice, decided that he had to do something.

EDIT:
Company homepage, many more products.
http://www.mshipco.com/index.php?page_id=1

[kach22i]

65 hits and no comments...........must mean everyone is awe struck.

http://www.mshipco.com/index.php?page_id=30


I did a Google image search on "Littoral" and found another interesting ship.

The USA's New Littoral Combat Ships
by Joe Katzman at October 25, 2005 03:27 PM
http://www.windsofchange.net/archives/007649.php#more

The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is the U.S. Navy's newest class of surface combatant ships. Optimized for shallow seas and littoral operations within 100 miles of shore but deployable across the ocean, LCS ships are a centerpiece of the USA's new focus on littoral warfare. They will help to counter growing "asymmetric" threats like coastal mines, quiet diesel submarines, piracy, and terrorists on small fast attack boats.

NOTE: Cool links at bottom of article.
http://www.windsofchange.net/archives/007649.php#more

[kach22i]

Lots of pictures - many craft.
http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...p/lcs-pics.htm


http://disposablewisdom.com/nucleus/...hive=2005-7-11

The Littoral Surface Craft-Experimental (X-Craft), christened Sea Fighter (FSF 1), at Nichols Bros. Boat Builders in Freeland, Whidbey Island, Wash., will be used to evaluate the hydrodynamic performance, structural behavior, mission flexibility, and propulsion system of high-speed vessels. The X-Craft is a high-speed aluminum catamaran that will test a variety of technologies, which will allow the Navy to operate more effectively in littoral or near-shore waters

Link to large picture:
http://disposablewisdom.com/nucleus/...hiresxboat.jpg

X-Craft
http://www.onr.navy.mil/media/view_i...ID=93&SubID=81

The mission bay of SEA FIGHTER (X-Craft) will be capable of housing twelve containers, permitting the vessel to be quickly reconfigured to support a variety of potential missions including: battle force protection, mine counter-measures, amphibious assault support and humanitarian support.

http://www.nicholsboats.com/x-craft.htm
http://www.nicholsboats.com/Images/x-craft/02800015.jpg


http://www.deagel.com/news2/?p=ns000154ot

[JonathanCole]

The stilleto ship may have promise as a hybrid solar powered boat. Such a nice large flat roof, good ride and using wave power to lift her out of the water, should make for an efficient boat as well.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by JonathanCole

The stilleto ship may have promise as a hybrid solar powered boat. Such a nice large flat roof, good ride and using wave power to lift her out of the water, should make for an efficient boat as well.

There is a solar charging film they can now put directly over the metal roof of houses. That could at least cut down on electrical power generation requirements. I assume a protective coating would also be in order.

[safewalrus]

Isn't it nice to see the military actually leading the way with experiments and inovation at last! Instead of the old system, where the generals/admirals were always fighting the last war (some still are).

Of intrest the Trimaran hull was pioneered by Vosper Thornecroft for the Royal Navy for the last couple of years and did some quite heavy weather drills etc. The initial reports were very favourable and then sort of disappeared - normally a good sign in milatary circles! It works! now how can we hide it! Incidentally the trimaran "Trident" was one third frigate size which gives an idea of the size of the vessel (actually it doesn't because at one stage ALL surface craft except 'specials' - aircraft carriers and the like were classified as Frigates by the British; from Frigate to Cruiser size! This fooled the politicians into thinking they were not getting such big vessels and thus 'wasting money'!

Bit aweinspiring when your used to 'sixties' size frigates and walk onto a Frigate the size of a light cruiser!!