Feasibility Report: Operation of Light Air Cushion Vehicle at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.

Abstract

This report explores the viability of the use of an air cushion vehicle (ACV) or hovercraft to perform logistic and scientific support in the area of McMurdo Station, Antarctica. After a review of personnel assets and facilities at McMurdo Station to support the ACV plus a reconnaissance of the five major routes selected, it appears that an air cushion vehicle in the 1 to 1 1/2 tonne payload class would be of significant value to support operations. It would reduce transit times for surface vehicle traverses on the routes selected and reduce requirements for expenditure of helicopter flight time in others. Of major significance is the ability to handle passenger/shuttle requirements between the Scott Base transition and Williams Field Skiway. Use of the ACV for high frequency passenger operations would help preserve the snow road for cargo operations during periods of road deterioration.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 06, 1987
Accession Number
ADA189057

Entities

People

  • J. S. Dibbern

Organizations

  • United States Army Foreign Science and Technology Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Cooled
  • Air Cushion Vehicles
  • Coast Guard
  • Collision Avoidance
  • Engines
  • Helicopters
  • Maintenance
  • Maintenance Personnel
  • Natural Resources
  • Passengers
  • Radar Reflectors
  • Repair
  • Sea Ice
  • Snow Roads
  • Stations
  • Vehicles
  • Water

Readers

  • Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
  • Polar and Arctic Studies
  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.