Littoral Research Group L.L.C. (LRG) of New Orleans, Louisiana has teamed with Kinetic Art and Technology (KAT) and its commercialization arm Lynx Motion Technology Corporation to offer a dynamic partnership that integrates world-class naval architecture services with cutting edge, award winning, electrical engineering and design. LRG will use their hydrodynamic planing codes to analyze the sea-keeping and powering performance of the 7-meter RHIB, to determine the final system requirements, and to determine location of all major equipment in order to optimize the sea-keeping and powering efficiency of the 7-meter hybrid electric RHIB. KAT/Lynx brings their patented SEMA motor technology that offers efficiencies up to 99% at loiter speeds along with their expertise in system controls. LRG will review all major components, engine, gear, sterndrive/outdrive, and propeller and make recommendation for replacement, redesign and integration as an integral system. Currently, the Navy is developing a fleet of Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV) in the support of the Future Naval Capabilities (FNC) mandate. This fleet is being developed from the 7-meter and 11-meter RHIBs because they have shown the capability to support such operations as mine countermeasures, amphibious warfare support, communication relay with UUVs, and a significant number of other functions. LRG views the research, development, and deployment of the hybrid electric 7-meter RHIB as a large step toward a fully electric, fully autonomous fleet capable of amphibious warfare support. Beginning in the year 2006, marine diesel engines over 37-kW will be required to meet new clean air standards. Recreational marine engines contribute to ozone formation and high PM (particulate matter) levels, especially in marinas, which are often located in areas with air-quality problems. The use of the hybrid electric technology to assist in meeting the new standards will have a profound positive effect on the air quality in our marinas and National Parks. One commercial application of an electric propulsion system is a "pontoon boat". The pontoon boat has several advantages over conventional hulls with respect to electric propulsion: 1) The benefit of a sizeable deck area that can accommodate a large number of low profile batteries stored under-deck, 2) The builder will have the option to install multiple electric motors in the pontoons or a single one on centerline, and 3) The design flexibility that is afforded by a diesel engine/generator will allow the builders to move toward a more modern and open architecture. In addition to the commercial applications, there are military applications for pontoon type vessels. One such example would be in mine countermeasures where sizable deck area would provide a large stable platform that would easily conform to modularity requirements and where the long slender pontoons provide unmatched form efficiency that is inexpensive to construct, easy to store, and potentially "stackable"
