TECHNICAL CHALLENGES OF FAST SHIPS FOR THE U.S. NAVY

The success of some commercial fast ferry designs and technologies has fueled an interest in achieving high speeds in the next generation of naval ships. Some commercial fast ferries already have been adapted for naval use. The U.S. Navy would like to reach speeds of 50 knots, which any naval architect knows are not achieved without difficulty. High-speed ships have many virtues but also present several drawbacks. These drawbacks concern performance on the open ocean in high sea states, structural integrity, speed at the expense of range and payload, and reliability. Each drawback is briefly discussed and it is concluded that pursuing high speed as a principal characteristic of ships poses challenges for Navy technology, research, and dedication.

• Record URL:
  http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/154750.aspx
• 
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/07386826
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • MacKinnon, M
• Publication Date: 2004-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 15
• Serial:
  • TR News
  • Issue Number: 231
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0738-6826

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: High speed craft; Ocean travel; Reliability; Vehicle range
• Identifier Terms: United States Navy
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fast ferries; Payload; Structural integrity
• Subject Areas: Highways; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00974261
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: May 24 2004 12:00AM