Triton Systems proposes to develop a Silent, Deployable, and Rugged Ocean Propulsor (S-DROP) for use on small naval combatant craft. S-DROP will provide a secondary propulsion system for silent running stealth operations in a modular, cross compatible, and scalable package without compromising existing systems. S-DROP incorporates extreme ruggedness and acoustic quieting techniques with high performance components. The system is easy to install, intuitive to operate, and provides high maneuverability.
Benefit: The development of a quiet, electrical propulsion system will benefit Navy high-speed planing craft that run off comparatively noisy diesel engines, such as the 11m Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) or Special Operations Craft Riverine (SOCR). These craft have mission requirements to be quiet both above and below the water. S-DROP will also be applicable to both the commercial and sport fishing boat markets. A silent running propulsion system would allow for marine research vessels to collect data without interfering with onboard acoustic sensors. Quiet running is also of interest to sport fisherman who wish to avoid alerting the fish that they are targeting.
Keywords: 11m RHIB, 11m RHIB, auxiliary propulsion, cavitation, combatant craft, quiet propeller, electric propulsion
