SMALL HIGH-SPEED AMPHIBIOUS ROLE VARIANT CRAFTS

Art Anderson was awarded a project to develop a small high-speed watercraft (SHARC) that can serve as a littoral surface connector capable of delivering smaller autonomous, remote, and manned vehicles and systems; and would have a rail system to attach modular mission packages for operations directly from the vessel or decking that supports vehicles containing modular mission packages.

The main technical objective of Phase I is to develop a viable, feasible, and achievable concept design for a SHARC that satisfies program objectives of speed, payload, operations, and amphibious capability, while demonstrating that it can be developed into a useful product for the Marine Corps. The end user wanted many options and had specific parameters to be met. Our design included a catamaran designed landing craft that would allow bow to stern loading. We also included a modular cabin and items to protect the jets for stern landing.

Phase I Option further developed the technical design of the SHARC concept in order to gain a higher level of certainty that the vessel will meet its performance requirements and reduce risk during Phase II.