Non-Subscriber ExtractQinetiQ's PACSCAT technology demonstrator set to start trials |
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By Richard Scott
14 October 2009
A rendering of PACSCAT at sea. (QinetiQ)
A UK-built prototype PACSCAT (Partial Air Cushion Supported CATamaran) high-speed landing craft is set to begin initial at-sea trials at the end of October.
Managed by the research and technology group QinetiQ, the PACSCAT Innovative Solution Demonstrator Craft (ISDC) effort encompasses the design, build and evaluation of a full-scale prototype craft to inform the UK's Future Landing Craft (FLC) programme.
QinetiQ was contracted in September 2007 by the UK Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) Research Acquisition Organisation (now the Defence Technology Innovation Centre) to manage the procurement of the demonstrator vessel, act as the design authority and to manage the all-important safety process and trials programme. Following competition, it subsequently contracted a team led by Griffon Hovercraft - now Griffon Hoverwork - to undertake the detailed design, build and outfit of the PACSCAT demonstrator. Griffon's team comprised Aluminium Shipbuilders (hull construction), BMT Nigel Gee (detailed design services), and BMT Marine Projects (providing project management support).
Based on a concept originated by John Lewthwaite of Independent Maritime Assessment Associates, the full-scale ISDC demonstrator craft has been designed to test at full scale the hydrodynamics of the PACSCAT hullform and to investigate its feasibility to deliver significantly faster speeds than traditional landing craft.