Low Acoustic Signature Electric Propulsion System for Navy Craft

The Navy utilizes small, crewed watercraft, e.g., the Special Operations Craft – Ravine, for a range of missions in the littoral zone. These watercrafts, while designed for high-speed operation, also require low-speed stealth operation to successfully complete all types of mission objectives. However, the existing internal combustions engines and propulsion systems currently used on these vessels emit too much noise to meet the Navy’s mission requirements. A quiet auxiliary propulsion system is needed for quiet and low-speed operation. To meet this need, Creare proposes a low acoustic signature electric propulsion system comprising a compactly integrated motor and propeller pod designed to deploy from and stow on the transom of the watercraft with simple rotating mechanisms and custom integration of readily available power and control electronics with low acoustic emissions. In Phase I, the Creare team will refine the overall design (including performance, acoustics, and mechanical integration) by conducting analyses, testing, and consulting with the Navy and our team of experts. In Phase II, we will refine the design and conduct full-scale prototype testing.