General Dynamics is testing a prototype of the 'Ghost' small surface vessel designed for diverse military operations.
American aerospace and defense company General Dynamics has partnered with UK-based Juliet Marine Systems to develop a small surface vessel dubbed ‘Ghost’. The vessel features Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull design that reportedly has the potential to revolutionize naval warfare.
The prototype of the vessel—which is currently undergoing tests—is versatile, stable and equipped to be deployed on manned, unmanned and remote-controlled operations. According to General Dynamics, the vessel boasts of a large payload capacity and innovative sea-keeping abilities. Its SWATH design enables the vessel to carry payloads in challenging sea states, typically not possible on other small surface vessels.Stable speeds and compact size The ‘Ghost’ is designed for quick deployment and easy construction, allowing it to be used in varying environments. Small vessels like the ‘Ghost’ are stable at speeds of up to 40.3 mph, making them extremely fast on the water, Slashgear reported.Due to its compact size, the ‘Ghost’ can be deployed by amphibious and cargo ships, trucks or can even be dropped from airplanes, making it a highly versatile asset for the US Navy. The seacraft can be operated remotely or with a crew of two. It can carry up to ten passengers in standard seating or 16 with maximum seating, which makes it ideal for amphibious landings, whether crewed or not. The vessel can transport passengers to safety or serve as a vehicle for deploying Navy SEAL teams to shorelines, and operate at its top speed for up to 6.4 hours, with a total endurance range of 20.4 hours.From missile launches to special opsThe ‘Ghost’ modular design supports various missions, such as carrying missiles, ISTAR , anti-submarine warfare, command and control, and special warfare load-out. The prototype is powered by two T53-L13B turboshaft engines, delivering a total of 2,380 shp. These compact vessels displace between 22.4 and 30.2 tons of seawater and can carry over two tons of payload. They range from 25 to 40 feet in width, depending on the strut angle, and are 65 feet long overall.The timeline for the ‘Ghost’ to move from the prototype stage to full-scale production remains uncertain, and it’s possible the project could be reconsidered before reaching completion. However, taking into account the vessel’s projected utility and capabilities, the Navy may show interest in procurement, Slashgear noted.Last year, General Dynamics won a US Navy contract worth an estimated $15.9 million to develop its planned Mining Expendable Delivery Unmanned Submarine Asset System. The system is intended for use by the Navy’s submarine fleet.Experts and analysts viewed the contract as part of a larger strategy to create a hybrid fleet of both crewed and uncrewed vessels, aimed at significantly enhancing the Navy’s operational effectiveness and agility across various maritime environments. This is also where the ‘Ghost’ fits in.
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