STUDY OF HYDROFOIL SEACRAFT

Research on the feasibility of using hydrofoil seacraft suited to future express cargo and passenger applications, and on the design of such craft is summarized. Speeds from 50 to 200 knots, displacements from 100 to 3000 tons, and ranges from 400 to 3600 nautical miles were investigated, and the study was not restricted to currently available power plants or equipment. Several conclusions are drawn: (1) hydrofoil seacraft within the limits of the study are feasible and would carry payloads between 10% and 60% of their gross weight; (2) immediate selection of the design characteristics are possible; (3) hydrofoil craft can operate at more than three times the speed of fast displacement vessels while maintaining the same ratio of payload to gross weight; (4) such craft can maintain high cruise speeds in rough sea states with acceptable passenger comfort; (5) design and construction must follow aircraft techniques. It is recommended that missions be selected, and a test vehicle be designed and constructed.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document is available for review at the Department of Commerce Library, Main Commerce Building, Washington, D.C., under reference number S-7-S-S.
• Corporate Authors:

  Grumman Aircraft Corporation

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  Dynamic Developments, Incorporated

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• Publication Date: 1958-10-3

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 12 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Freight transportation; Hydrofoil boats; Passenger transportation; Systems analysis
• Old TRIS Terms: Cargo movement; Hydrofoil craft
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Freight Transportation; Marine Transportation; Passenger Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00027675
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Maritime Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: Sum Rpt
• Contract Numbers: MA-1730
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 9 1973 12:00AM