Application of Turbine Engines in Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Craft

The objective is to modify and test gas turbine engines presently installed in/on marine craft to demonstrate that by adapting technology used on street legal vehicles can be used to reduce the heat and noise levels in marine craft. Whether or not the IR15dB level or lower, and the above water acoustic/noise level to 60dB level or lower can be achieved, is a matter that can only be demostrated by adapting technology used in both helicopters and ground vehicles to marine engine installations and testing toprove the results. It will also demostrate that proposed remedies do not degrade engine performance and reliablity below acceptable limits for the intended use.The adaptation and installation of gas turbines in marine and industrial units advantages in horsepower to weight and overall size makes them extremely desirable in most all marine applications. The issues of sound attenuation and heat signature arerelative to the particular installations. In some cases our customers want the exclusive sound a turbine makes, because of the attention it attracts, wereas our commercial customers typically require a more conservative approach. Ferry operators routinelyoperate from fixed based locations in and around high traffic areas; the engines are normally run continuouslu during loading and unloading. The impact of noise and heat are two concerns that have been dealt with in various forms depending on the vesselsconfiguration. Given the increased size of these craft MTT can utilize several of the proposed systems we intend to use in our Phase 1 proposal, space is often the limiting factor in achieving optimum levels. The other areas that hold great potiental arepolice operations such as DEA, CIA, Customs and various covert non-military affiliations. The requirement for stealth operations is as important to these groups as NSW. MTT is currently involved in a proposed program called Project Eliminator, which is acooperative effort to produce a 38 foot drug interdiction craft for the LA. State Police. This spec. boat is one we anticipate offering to associated agencies such as those listed above. Additionally, the technology developed through this effort will carryover into our industrial products including our portable high volume fire pumps, utilizing engines in the proposed horsepower range as required by ABS FiFi 1 and FiFi 2 classification. Current insurance requirements has mandated oilfield operators retrofitexisting vessels to accommodate this new requirement. Our turbine packages offer the ability to deck mount said units in lieu of convention inboard installations making them more adaptable to existing craft. It is anticipated that 10 such units will besold in the next 18 months. MTT currently has a FiFi 1 system in operation in the Gulf of Mexico with interest being expressed for the remainder of the projected sales listed above. In all cases the reduction of noise and IR will greatly improve thepotential of this product.