GHOST - Military Watercraft Prototype

[SOUNDBOUNDER]

A recent article on Gizmag.com reports on a new “super-cavitating” military vessel created by New Hampshire-based Juliet Marine Systems (JMS).

According to the article, the new boat—dubbed GHOST—features special tubular foils that create a bubble of gas around the foils, all but eliminating drag.

JMS states that “GHOST is a combination aircraft/boat that has been designed to fly through an artificial underwater gaseous environment that creates 900 times less hull friction than water.”

http://boatinglocal.com/news/new-boa...ugh-water.html

[LandLocked66c]

Cool!

[ericra]

Very cool, going to look for a video.

[WouldaShoulda]

The Russkies built large water skimming planes decades ago.

[SOUNDBOUNDER]

They stole my idea

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by WouldaShoulda

The Russkies built large water skimming planes decades ago.

This thing seems to operate on a different principle than the old Ekranoplans. They flew on the ground effect. There are small ones in commercial use somewhere in Oz.

This new one seems to be an attempt to operate like more like porpoises - eliminating skin friction. It remains at least somewhat in the water. Imagine what a perfected technology could do for speed under sail!

[Hartley18]

The Caspian Sea Monster..

Originally Posted by SloopJonB

This thing seems to operate on a different principle than the old Ekranoplans. They flew on the ground effect. There are small ones in commercial use somewhere in Oz.

If by Oz you mean Australia - nope, not for many years. The only Ekranoplan/WIG craft that I know of that are still in operation are working frozen rivers/lakes in Russia. Ekranoplans need to be certified as both an aircraft and a boat and that killed off the idea in most parts of the world stone dead.

Two other problems with these sort of craft - that are still unresolved and were the final 'nails in the coffin' - are (a) the noise and (b) oddly enough, the speed.

These things (and presumably this new type also) travel just fine in a straight line, but trying to turn, even slightly, to avoid a sudden moving obstruction - like a yacht - borders on the impossible, since by design they have no grip on the water like a speed-boat. This means they need lots of clear space around them for safe operation (the Russian WIGs work only in specially-designated lanes) ...oh, and don't expect it to operate in rough water - because it won't.

..but, yes, it's a cool idea.

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by Hartley18

If by Oz you mean Australia - nope, not for many years. The only Ekranoplan/WIG craft that I know of that are still in operation are working frozen rivers/lakes in Russia. Ekranoplans need to be certified as both an aircraft and a boat and that killed off the idea in most parts of the world stone dead.

Two other problems with these sort of craft - that are still unresolved and were the final 'nails in the coffin' - are (a) the noise and (b) oddly enough, the speed.

These things (and presumably this new type also) travel just fine in a straight line, but trying to turn, even slightly, to avoid a sudden moving obstruction - like a yacht - borders on the impossible, since by design they have no grip on the water like a speed-boat. This means they need lots of clear space around them for safe operation (the Russian WIGs work only in specially-designated lanes) ...oh, and don't expect it to operate in rough water - because it won't. ..but, yes, it's a cool idea.

Where else would I mean? I was going on a bit I saw on the tube fairly recently about a smallish 4-6 seater IIRC that was flying? Ekranoplaning? on a river in Oz on a commercial basis - I guess it was an old show.

[Hartley18]

Originally Posted by SloopJonB

Where else would I mean?

Oh, I dunno.. Land of Oz - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia??

Originally Posted by SloopJonB

I was going on a bit I saw on the tube fairly recently about a smallish 4-6 seater IIRC that was flying? Ekranoplaning? on a river in Oz on a commercial basis - I guess it was an old show.

I think so.. It was a cute little thing too as I vaguely remember it (I would love to have one!) - a bit like a Lake Buccaneer but with stubby wings. IIRC it got run out of business for exactly the reasons I mentioned above... and especially the noise part.

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by Hartley18

I think so.. It was a cute little thing too as I vaguely remember it (I would love to have one!) - a bit like a Lake Buccaneer but with stubby wings. IIRC it got run out of business for exactly the reasons I mentioned above... and especially the noise part.

That's the one - how long ago was that? (be kind please)