Optimal deadrise hull analysis and design space study of naval special warfare high speed planning boats

Abstract

United States Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, Land) frequently employ high speed planing boats (HSPBs) in the performance of their missions. Operation of these vessels in normal and adverse conditions exposes personnel to severe mechanical shock. Anecdotal evidence and recent medical studies conducted by the Naval Health Research Center show a correlation between HSPB operation and chronic and acute personnel injury. Most current research focuses on short-term solutions that reduce shock at the hull-deck and deck-seat interfaces (deck padding and suspension seats, for example). The object of this thesis is to develop an Optimal Deadrise Hull (ODH) that reduces mechanical shock where it first enters the boat, at the hull-sea interface. Planing boat hydrodynamics were reviewed and the mechanical shock environment was evaluated. The ODH analysis is performed on the MkV Special Operations Craft in order to determine the effects of hull deadrise on vertical acceleration. Finally, the results of the ODH analysis are used to perform a design space study of planing hulls in order to optimize the overall design for vertical acceleration based on hull deadrise, cruise speed, and payload weight.