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NUWC to use High Speed Ferry For Tests

NAVSEA News Wire

Release Date: 5/7/2004

By Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Newport, R.I. Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. -- The Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) is scheduled to conduct tests on an advanced launcher system at its shallow water test range in Narragansett Bay beginning the third week in May. NUWC will be supported in this testing by SEA CORP (Systems Engineering Associates Corporation) of Middletown, R.I. This latest series will further refine the test data and, for the first time, launch projectiles into the sea at high speeds. The data gathered Using the high-speed commercial ferry Millenium as a platform, the Navy research center will conduct tests in support of the Advanced Surface Launcher Program.

The Millenium, owned by Rhode Island Fast Ferry, will be chartered for this special purpose before it begins its more conventional summer duty making runs between Quonset Point, R.I., and Martha's Vineyard, Mass.

The 125-foot long ferry has a top speed of 44.5 miles per hour. During the exercise, Millenium will be outfitted with equipment to launch test payloads while traveling at a high rate of speed on the NUWC range. These payloads have the same exterior shape as torpedoes and underwater countermeasures, but are completely inert. During testing, the NUWC range, located north of Gould Island, will be secured. A helicopter and several Navy range craft will be used for range safety and documentation of the tests.

The purpose of the test is to evaluate the characteristics of launch and water entry of payloads launched at high speed into the water from a surface vessel into the water. Among candidates for such a new system are existing surface combatants and future ships, such as the DD(X) destroyer, Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) SPARTAN and the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS).

This testing is the latest in a series of trials to gather data on an innovative launcher concept. Developed and patented jointly by NUWC and SEA CORP engineers, this concept uses standard automotive air bag inflators to provide the energy to launch payloads.

"This technology makes possible for the first time, a sealed and completely modular torpedo launch canister for surface warships," said NUWC engineer Daniel Godfrey. "Unlike the systems used today, this new launcher can be adapted for a variety of different payloads and launch conditions," Godfrey added.

According to the NUWC and SEA CORP engineering team, a number of tests have already been successfully conducted with projectiles ranging in diameter from a few inches to over a foot, and weighing from 17 to 850 pounds.

This latest series will further refine the test data and, for the first time, launch projectiles into the sea at high speeds. The data gathered will help to guide future payload design work, as well as provide a baseline of information to aid in the installation of new launchers aboard current and future Navy vessels.