Launch of the Partially Air Cushioned Suspended Catamaran (PACSCAT)

Recently, Griffon Hoverwork Ltd in collaboration with QinetiQ, BMT Nigel Gee and Aluminium Shipbuilders Ltd has launched and successfully trialled the latest innovation in military landing craft. The PACSCAT (Partial Air Cushion Supported CATamaran) recently entered the water for the first time at Griffon Hoverwork’s facilities in Hythe and will shortly commence rigorous sea trials.

The high speed, all aluminium PACSCAT is 30m long, 7.7m in the beam, has a design vehicle payload of 55 tonnes and an approximate loaded weight of 175 tonnes. It is propelled by twin waterjets, driven by MTU Diesel engines and is designed to test at full scale the hydrodynamics of the PACSCAT hullform and to investigate its feasibility to deliver significantly faster speeds than traditional landing craft. The vessel makes use of the PACSCAT concept originated by John Lewthwaite of Independent Maritime Assessment Associates Ltd.

The original fast landing craft design requirement was to accommodate up to five Viking armoured fighting vehicles. It is intended to off-load front line vehicles and troops from Royal Navy amphibious ships to the beach and is in response to the MOD’s requirement to launch rapid and effective amphibious operations from over the horizon.

QinetiQ was contracted by the MOD’s Research Acquisition Organisation, (now the Defence Technology Innovation Centre) to manage the procurement of the demonstrator vessel, act as the design authority and to manage the all important safety process and trials programme. QinetiQ then invited competitive bids from companies in the shipbuilding sector, to bring a broad mix of experience to the project. As the world leaders in hovercraft construction, Griffon Hoverwork Ltd lead the construction team and are also fitting out the vessel.

“The PACSCAT concept is a leading contender to meet the MOD’s fast landing craft requirement. It will be capable of performing a variety of roles, where high speed and high payload capacity are required and has exceptional beaching qualities because of its low and variable draught,” explained Iain Kennedy, practice leader for QinetiQ’s Maritime Platforms Consultancy business. “The industry partners are all working well together and the trials of the full-sized PACSCAT that start later this year will determine the performance of the PACSCAT hullform at full scale and the relevant operational capability.”

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