POTENTIAL OF GROUND EFFECT MACHINES

Abstract

Ground effect machines appear to have some promise in high-speed operations. Since they do not operate in contact with the ground, they can cross terrain that would be impassable to more conventional means of locomotion. This study considers the use of ground effect machines in three areas within the field of responsibility of the Bureau of Yards and Docks. These areas are: amphibious support, polar operations, and construction equipment. Each of these problem areas share a common major requirement, namely, the ability to move across mixed or unstable terrain with practical speed and load capacities. It is concluded that ground effect machines have only limited application in the problem areas. The increase in mobility and operating speed can only be accomplished with large vehicles having very high rates of fuel consumption. On the basis of predicted performance, GEMS appear to be limited to carrying high-priority cargo. The noise and debris resulting from the air blast of the plenum chamber and peripheral jet are serious handicaps.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1963
Accession Number
AD0410029

Entities

People

  • J. H. Mchugh
  • R. E. Jochums

Organizations

  • Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Amphibious Operations
  • Base Pressure
  • Control Systems
  • Dynamic Response
  • Engineering
  • Engineers
  • Frequency
  • Fuel Consumption
  • Ground Effect
  • Ground Effect Machines
  • Navy
  • Plenum Chambers
  • Polar Regions
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Propulsion Systems

Readers

  • Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
  • Robotics and Automation.
  • Systems Analysis and Design