Swiftships has built a 35'×8' aluminum special operations craft (SOC) prototype that can be operated by remote control. The remote controlled version of the yard’s Anaconda (AN-2) is the first step in developing an autonomous watercraft.
Designed by Morgan City, La.-based Swiftships in partnership with the University of Louisiana Lafayette (ULL), the AN-2 is designed to support the efforts of military operations on inland waters by providing power, speed, greater mobility and ease of deployment. The new technology coupled with Swiftships’ prototype will permit brownwater military missions to be implemented effectively without any human crew being put in danger, according to the shipyard. The new boat can be sent around a curve in a river, for example, where enemies could be waiting.
“We have control over the vessel through an iPad,” Joshua Vaughan, an assistant professor at ULL, said during a demonstration exercise at Swiftships in February. “It’s an all-in-one autonomous vessel run by remote control. Using GPS coordinates, it’s able to avoid obstacles.”
Vaughan is leading a team to develop the autonomous system. The technology the team is developing would use lasers, cameras, ultrasound and other sensors that gauge currents and waves to detect obstacles in the water such as logs or oncoming boats. The information would flow to a computer system that reacts quickly, steering and accelerating the boat like an experienced human pilot.
Eric Geibel, Swiftships director of special programs, said the technology has commercial applications such as surveying and emergency response. “The application of autonomous technology has far reaching implications for the entire inland shipping industry,” he said.
Main propulsion for the prototype comes from twin Yanmar 6LY3-FTP electronic diesels, producing 480 hp at 3,300 rpm each. The engines connect to two Rolls-Royce FF-280 waterjets through ZF 305-3 marine gears, producing a top speed of 51 knots.
The boat, which has a fuel capacity of 200 gals., can also have a pilot and carry up to 14 crew and/or passengers.
After several years of building almost exclusively for the military, Swiftships got back into the commercial market last year.
The yard is currently building a 200'×34'×14' aluminum fast supplier for Y&S Marine, Belle Chasse, La..
Capacities will include 51,240 gals. of fuel as cargo; 8,400 gals. ship’s fuel; 42,750 gals. water as cargo; and 1,900 gals. ship’s water.
Main propulsion will be supplied by four 12-cylinder Caterpillar 3512B diesels, producing 2,250 hp at 1,800 rpm each. The Cats will connect to four Michigan/Hy Torq nibral propellers through Twin Disc MGX-61000 marine gears. The supply boat will have a running speed of 28 knots.
The FSV is scheduled to be delivered in October. — Ken Hocke
