JOINT SURFACE EFFECT SHIP PROGRAM REVIEW. ECONOMIC REVIEW AND APPRAISAL OF SURFACE EFFECT SHIPS

Review is made of the Surface Effect Ship (SES) relative to projected commercial economic fesibility. Anticipated direct operating costs of a 4000-ton SES are compared to the C5A transport aircraft. The extent of the economic gain is dependent upon environmental conditions and design factors such as propulsive efficiencies, structural fraction, and lift-to-drag ratios. Chemically-fueled SES possesses commercially competitive costs to large transport aircraft assuming propulsion efficiencies of 65% are feasible. The ship is well adapted for nuclear propulsion which would increase the cost advantage to nearly unlimited ship ranges. The full determination of economic feasibility requires data on suitable experimental craft in a seaway.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document is available for review at the Department of Commerce Library, Main Commerce Building, Washington, D.C., under reference number J-6-J-Vol-2.
• Corporate Authors:

  Joint Surface Effect Ships Program Office

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• Publication Date: 1968-2

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 41 p.
• Serial:
  • Volume: 2

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Coatings; Surface effect ships; Systems analysis
• Old TRIS Terms: Diffusion coatings
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00027099
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Maritime Administration
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 15 1974 12:00AM