Hydroplaning unmanned surface vehicle

Abstract

An unmanned hydroplaning water surface vehicle having a gondola housing with external midway lift and control foils that allow the unmanned surface vehicle to provide lift and control in water at sufficient speed. A superstructure trimaran hull serves as a stable operation platform during low speed maneuvers or at rest. The superstructure hull encloses command and control systems capable of remote, semi-autonomous or fully autonomous control and navigation and vehicle attitude control. A plurality of mission specific payloads and sensors are positioned within the superstructure hull and gondola housing to allow for various types of missions. A strut connects the gondola housing and the superstructure hull above the waterline, as well as to provide for the passage therebetween of a plurality of transmission and control lines. The strut also mounts a rudder above propeller at the stern end of the gondola housing.

1. An unmanned water surface vehicle comprising: a gondola housing section having bow and stern ends with external foils located midway between the bow and stern ends to provide lift in water at sufficient speed, said gondola housing section mounting a propulsion system at the stern end; a superstructure hull located entirely above a waterline and a strut connecting said gondola housing section to said superstructure hull completely above the waterline. 
   
   
     2. An unmanned water surface vehicle as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said strut mounts a rudder above the stern end of the gondola housing section and the propulsion system. 
   
   
     3. An unmanned water surface vehicle comprising:
 a gondola housing having external foils spaced from a stern end thereof to provide lift in water at sufficient speed, a propulsion system at said stern end,  
 a superstructure hull adapted to float on the water at sub foil lifting speeds, means for connecting said gondola housing and said superstructure housing hull; and a rudder mounted on said connecting means above the propulsion system at the stern end.  
 
   
   
     4. An unmanned water surface vehicle as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said means for connecting said gondola housing and said superstructure hull comprises: a faired strut. 
   
   
     5. The water surface vehicle as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said means for connecting the gondola housing and the superstructure hull comprises: a strut extending between forward and aft ends of the vehicle in underlying relation to the hull; and said propulsion system including: a propulsion motor mounted within the gondola housing adjacent said stern end thereof; and a propeller connected to the propulsion motor positioned in rearwardly spaced relation to said aft end of the vehicle at which the rudder is mounted.