Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
Normal
Unmanned WIG's for fast insertion of AUV's would be an interesting force multiplier, either as a generic delivery vehicle, as well as a release/retrieve mothership with possible different launch/pickup points. The seaskimming aspects make it attractive to avoid being caught on radar, plus good efficiency and high cargo capacity are attractive. The only problem is matters of scale. WIG's work better when they are really big, and size dictates their reasonable seaskimming heights. Too small, and a random wave that is larger than those around it by not that large of a margin runs the risk of severely damaging the WIG, int he worst case causing it to dive underwater itself as it smacks into the back of a wave. Coupled with the low height of the vehicle itself, it would be hard to detect such dangerous waves in advance due to limited sight horizon, as well as generic floating obstacles in the water such as the poles for crabpot buoys. Though one could argue an unmanned WIG could do more violent maneuvering to avoid obstructions and follow the nape of the sea.A simple concept would be a catamaran fuselage with a forward canard/bridge wing and a rear forward swept crescent wing. Your AUV would be grappled between the hulls by attachments from the wings, for easy release and catch. Engine placement on the canard wing then is a question of whether you want to do a PAR-WIG or not.
Unmanned WIG's for fast insertion of AUV's would be an interesting force multiplier, either as a generic delivery vehicle, as well as a release/retrieve mothership with possible different launch/pickup points. The seaskimming aspects make it attractive to avoid being caught on radar, plus good efficiency and high cargo capacity are attractive. The only problem is matters of scale. WIG's work better when they are really big, and size dictates their reasonable seaskimming heights. Too small, and a random wave that is larger than those around it by not that large of a margin runs the risk of severely damaging the WIG, int he worst case causing it to dive underwater itself as it smacks into the back of a wave. Coupled with the low height of the vehicle itself, it would be hard to detect such dangerous waves in advance due to limited sight horizon, as well as generic floating obstacles in the water such as the poles for crabpot buoys. Though one could argue an unmanned WIG could do more violent maneuvering to avoid obstructions and follow the nape of the sea.
A simple concept would be a catamaran fuselage with a forward canard/bridge wing and a rear forward swept crescent wing. Your AUV would be grappled between the hulls by attachments from the wings, for easy release and catch. Engine placement on the canard wing then is a question of whether you want to do a PAR-WIG or not.
