NPS researchers working to develop ultra-high-speed navy vessel
http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newsnps-researchers-working-to-develop-ultra-high-speed-navy-vessel-4823450 29 February 2016
Researchers at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), a fully accredited masters-level university operated by the US Navy, are working on the development of a joint ultra-high-speed navy vessel (JUHSV).
Currently in the very early stages, the futuristic vessel is anticipated to cruise at a speed of more than 100k, with a capacity to carry nearly 25 sailors.
NPS researchers are developing intricate models and simulations that would help in the potential development of a JUHSV. These mathematical models will be utilised in the early design phase of the vessel.
"Mathematical models are essential for developing a vessel of this type because we simply don't know how a vessel of this type will behave."
NPS Department of Operations research associate professor Dr Johannes Royset said: "Mathematical models are essential for developing a vessel of this type because we simply don't know how a vessel of this type will behave.
"This is so much beyond existing navy architectural technology that we really need to simulate all different aspects of this ship, not only to simulate, but to make sure our simulations are correct."
The project is being backed by a $2m grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Brown University.
NPS student, US Army captain John Sabol is assisting with the modelling and simulation for his NPS degree thesis.
Sabol said: "The Marines and the Navy, Army included, have foreseen a need to operate at high speeds in littoral waters
"It's an interesting application of the research direction that Professor Royset and I are going.
"We're hoping that the results of our work can be extended well beyond the joint ultra high-speed vessel although this is a very interesting and relevant application of the work. If we can prove these methodologies are relevant and useful to the joint high-speed vessel, it would be great to show how they could be relevant to other projects in the future as well."
