Technology for Ship to Shore Connector Concepts with Combined High Speed and Payload Fraction
Navy SBIR FY2015.1


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2015.1
Topic No.: N151-075
Topic Title: Technology for Ship to Shore Connector Concepts with Combined High Speed and Payload Fraction
Proposal No.: N151-075-0534
Firm: Navatek Ltd
841 Bishop Street
Suite 1110
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Contact: Gary Shimozono
Phone: (808) 531-7001
Abstract: UHAC has demonstrated the capability to operate in water, mud, sand, and over rough terrain. Its propulsion is based on buoyant cells acting as paddle wheels. This system of propulsion is not efficient. It is suggested that more efficient propulsion can be incorporated without compromising the all-terrain capabilities of the vehicle. Further, segregating the functions of buoyancy, propulsion, and land traction can yield a vehicle that is more efficient overall, in contrast to UHAC where all of these functions are performed by the CACs. More conventional propulsion can increase the propulsive coefficient by a factor of 3 or more, which could increase vehicle speed to approximately 30 knots for the same installed power, or greatly increase range for the same fuel load. This proposal describes the effort to develop a viable concept where the functions of the CACs are distributed to yield a vehicle that is significantly more power efficient.
Benefits: UHAC demonstrated a concept that could manage difficult terrain. Managing the functions of buoyancy, propulsion, and traction can yield a more efficient vehicle with greater speed and range while retaining the payload and all-terrain capabilities. Potential commercial applications include oil exploration, oil supply/service vehicle for austere locations including arctic ice and tundra, and river deltas/tidal areas; Survey vehicles for austere or sensitive areas demanding difficult access or low ground-pressure.

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