A NUCLEAR POWERED AIR CUSHION FREIGHTER FOR THE 1980'S

A design for a transoceanic, dry cargo-carrying freighter is suggested; its use and operation in port are discussed. With a gross weight of 4500 metric tons (5000 tons), more than 50 percent of which is cargo, it will cruise at 50 meters per second (100 knots) in waves 2.4 meters (8 ft) high. Its peripheral jet-flexible skirt air cushion concept and air thrustors will let the freighter go over waves 8 meters high at reduced velocity. Power comes from a 1280 megawatt, helium-cooled thermal reactor. It could dock at any major port in the world, but because it needs no surface contact, it could also travel inland to land-locked ports. A modular terminal design and methods of cargo transfer are suggested. The concept of cargo containerization influences both the freighter and terminal design. (Author)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Presented at the American Nuclear Society Winter Meeting, Miami Beach, Florida, 17-21, Oct. 1971.
• Corporate Authors:

  Department of the Navy

  The Pentagon
  Washington, DC  United States  20350
• Authors:
  • Anderson, J L
• Publication Date: 1971-10

Media Info

• Pagination: 32 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air cushion vehicles; Dry bulk carriers; High speed craft; Nuclear powered ships
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00032195
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NASA-TM-X-67876, E-6434
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 21 1973 12:00AM