Unknown Navy watercraft?

These were not taken by me. Just sent to me.

I will post a few more later.
Any idea on what this is?








[edit on 23-12-2006 by sandman658]

I remember seeing this on C2C a while back.

Here's the link

"The pictures are authentic and reveal the prototype of an inflatable power catamaran designed by Antrim Associates based on a concept by oceanographer Ugo Conti.

According to Yachting Monthly, the experimental vessel is 100 feet long and 50 feet wide and powered by twin diesel engines mounted to the rear of the inflatable pontoon hulls. The cabin is suspended on flexible legs about 15 feet above and between the hulls, allowing them to glide independently over the service of the water. It is capable of crossing oceans with as much, if not more, stability than a normal catamaran."

Guess I should have posted these in Sept when I first got them. lol

Looks like a test model for the swath-concept.

en.wikipedia.org...

There is no need for a test-model for the SWATH concept, there are plaenty of them in service already.

I was looking for the name of the concept but couldn't quite find it. It's actually the HARTH concept, or swath with high aspect ratio.

www.hydrolance.net...

Paging Orangetom, what is that thing for? Hopefully you'll read this since you work in a shipyard.


Could it be some kind of tender and other watercraft can float under or in it?