Advanced Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (Small) Design and Development

The objective of this study is to design an advanced inflatable boat that will meet the special needs of U.S. Navy SEALs and be deployable from a submerged submarine in hostile waters. For "Stealth", radar, sonar, infra-red and audio signatures will be suppressed by incorporating features such as hydrodynamic shaping to minimize wake and spray generation and by selecting materials and structures having good absorption characteristics. The design of the less than 15-foot craft will incorporate stiffeners to maintain regidity when carrying loads of up to 1200 pounds and to enhance seakeeping ability when operated at speeds of up to 30 knots. Operational logistics of launch and recovery of the craft will be studied in detail with particular attention to safety and environmental protection for personnel and equipment. A unique method of packaging craft in canisters that connect to form and assembly the size of a Mk 48 torpedo will be explored. This will enable them to be handled and launched through torpedo tubes. Phase I studies will include identification of materials and processes, preliminary design, and a detailed program plan for the Phase II effort.