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2.2.1 Aerostatic Support

Aerostatic support uses lift fans to generate an air cushion that the vessel rides on, allowing for lighter weight and higher speed vessels like air cushion vehicles (ACVs) and surface effect ships (SES). ACVs continuously force air under the vessel with some escaping around the edges, and are propelled forward by propellers. SES have rigid side walls that provide stability and lift, and are propelled by water jets or propellers. While ACVs can operate on land and water, SES are limited to water but are more stable and can carry more payload than ACVs. Hydrodynamic support uses the pressure of water at high speeds to support planing vessels, but they ride roughly in waves.

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86 views1 page

2.2.1 Aerostatic Support

Aerostatic support uses lift fans to generate an air cushion that the vessel rides on, allowing for lighter weight and higher speed vessels like air cushion vehicles (ACVs) and surface effect ships (SES). ACVs continuously force air under the vessel with some escaping around the edges, and are propelled forward by propellers. SES have rigid side walls that provide stability and lift, and are propelled by water jets or propellers. While ACVs can operate on land and water, SES are limited to water but are more stable and can carry more payload than ACVs. Hydrodynamic support uses the pressure of water at high speeds to support planing vessels, but they ride roughly in waves.

Uploaded by

Truong Nguyen
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
Download as pdf or txt
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2.2.

1 Aerostatic Support

Aerostatic support is achieved when the vessel rides on a cushion of air generated by lift fans.
These vessels tend to be lighter weight and higher speed vessels. The two basic types of vessels
supported aerostatically are air cushion vehicle (ACV) and surface effect ships (SES).

2.2.1.1 Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs)

Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) or hovercraft continuously force air under the vessel allowing
some of the air to escape around the perimeter as new air is forced downwards. They are usually
propelled forward by airplane propeller type devices above the surface of the water with rudders
behind the air flow to control the vessel. The Navy utilizes some hovercraft as LCACs (Landing
Craft Air Cushion vehicles) because of this ability. Their use has opened over 75% of the world's
coastline to amphibious assault compared with 5% with conventional landing craft.

Pro: Amphibious operations; fast


Con: Very expensive for their payload capacity; low directional stability with air rudders

2.2.1.2 Surface Effect Ship (SES)

The Surface Effect Ship (SES) or Captured Air Bubble (CAB) craft, is similar to the ACV due to
its use of a cushion of air to lift the vessel. However, the SES has rigid side walls that extend into
the water, providing directional stability and hydrostatic or hydrodynamic lift. They are usually
propelled by water jets or super-cavitating propellers.

There were two SESs operated by the USN from about 1972-1975. They were the SES-100 A
and B models (displacement 100 LT) capable of traveling at speeds of over 80 knots. The SES-
100 was meant as an experimental platform carrying only 6 to 7 people. More recently, SES-200
(displacement 200 LT) was retired from the Naval Air Station at Patuxent River. Several
European Navies operate SESs as fast patrol boats, designed to operate in coastal waters.

Pro: Less air lift requirement, more directionally stable, and more payload (compared to ACV)
Con: Not amphibious; expensive for their payload capacity

2.2.2 Hydrodynamic Support

Hydro is the prefix for water and dynamic indicates movement. The two basic types of vessels
supported hydrodynamically are planing vessels and hydrofoils.

2.2.2.1 Planing Vessels

Planing vessels use the hydrodynamic pressures developed on the hull at high speeds to support
the ship. They ride comfortably in smooth water, but when moving through waves, planing
vessels ride very roughly, heavily stressing both the vessel structure and passengers. This was
particularly true of older types which used relatively flat bottom hulls. Modifications to the basic
hull form, such as deep V-shaped sections, have helped to alleviate this problem somewhat.

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