Navy Christens X-craft

Navy NewsStand ^ | 02/08/05 | Journalist 1st Class Daniel Sanford, Naval Station Everett Public Affairs

[SandRat]

The Littoral Surface Craft-Experimental (X-Craft), christened Sea Fighter (FSF 1), at Nichols Bros. Boat Builders in Freeland, Whidbey Island, Wash., will be used to evaluate the hydrodynamic performance, structural behavior, mission flexibility, and propulsion system of high-speed vessels. The X-Craft is a high-speed aluminum catamaran that will test a variety of technologies, which will allow the Navy to operate more effectively in littoral or near-shore waters. U.S. Navy photo by John F. Williams (RELEASED)

[SandRat]

Anchors aweigh!

[writer33]

Neat. Thanks for the post, SR.

[MarineBrat]

Wow... looks like an automobile ferry with a Patriot Missile battery! :)

[GeronL]

USNF '97, a computer game had those.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Oztrich Boy]

OK they've more crew comforts, but from the pictures, I doubt they can match the dive depth of X-craft of 60 years ago.

[SandRat]

so at 50 knots how long would it take to make a run from Darwin to Sydney in this thing?

[endthematrix]

From the Titan Corp. Website:

"The keel for the X-Craft was laid on June 5, 2003, and the craft is expected to begin sea trials in the summer of 2004.

Constructed of aluminum, the X-Craft will be powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) power configuration that will give it both highspeed capabilities, in excess of 50 knots, while maintaining good endurance and range. The primary power is two LM-2500 gas turbine engines rated at 33,600 horsepower each.

In addition to the gas turbines, the X-Craft will be equipped with two MTU 595 series V-16 marine diesel engines. The craft will use the gas turbine engines for high-speed operations, and the diesels for sustained range and endurance regimes. On
diesel power, the X-Craft will be able to travel 4000 nautical miles at 20 knots.

The X-Craft will be propelled through the water by four Rolls Royce water jet units (two per hull of the catamaran), which will provide exceptional maneuver control and facilitate operations in relatively shallow waters. The gearbox will allow automatic clutching between the LM-2500 and the MTU diesel."

SPEED: 50 KNOTS
LENGTH: 265 FEET
BEAM: 73 FEET
RANGE: 4000 NM
PROPULSION CONFIGURATION:
CODOG (COMBINED DIESEL OR
GAS) 4 WATER JETS
POWER PLANTS:
2 LM 2500 GAS TURBINES AND
LM-2500 GAS TURBINE (33,600 HP)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

That is moving out, 50 knots is over 60 mph , right?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

050205-N-8497H-004 Whidbey Island, Wash. (Feb. 5, 2005) – Ship Sponsor, Lynne Hunter christens the Navy's newest ship, the Littoral Surface Craft-Experimental (X-Craft), Sea Fighter (FSF 1), at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland, Wash. Sea Fighter will be used to evaluate the hydrodynamic performance, structural behavior, mission flexibility, and propulsion system of high-speed vessels. The X-Craft is a high-speed aluminum catamaran that will test a variety of technologies, which will allow the Navy to operate more effectively in littoral or near-shore waters. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Lewis S. Hunsaker (RELEASED)

[NormsRevenge]

Not quite,, closer to 56 or so

Knots ,,Miles per hour,, Kilometers per hour
10 ...... 11.51 ..........18.52
20 ...... 23.02 ..........37.04
26 ...... 29.92 ..........48.15

[endthematrix]

This ship seems less than what the USN has learned with our Aussie friends. Incat Corp built catamarans floored the US Navy in East Timor.

http://www.incat.com.au/defence_fs.html

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks, found this:

[Dark Wing]

Check this out.

[noexcuses]

Nichols shipyard is about 6 miles south of me, and my son and I often drive by to monitor the progress.

[Calpernia]

The Navy unveiled its future as it officially christened its revolutionary new Littoral Surface Craft - Experimental, commonly referred to as "X-Craft," Feb. 5.

Developed by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), this high-speed, aluminum catamaran is designed to test a variety of technologies that could allow the Navy to operate more effectively in littoral, or shallow, waters.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Dead Dog]

Didn't they design and build this thing in less then 19 months. Pretty amazing.

[Dead Dog]

Funny,

Propritary Infromation usually means, not on the web. Stil, pretty cool.