Developing 11 x 20 Meter Hovercraft for Military Use

Abstract

Hovercraft is an advanced marine vehicle that always attractive military gear for supporting all terrain warfare such as fast landing vehicle, beach raid operation, territorial control, etc. Hovercraft capable of amphibious operation to bring troopers and logistics from landing ship to the certain mainland and even reach the city centre. By hovering in the above grounds with low pressure then the hovercraft operation may not activate minefield. Hovercraft also taken into considerations for Indonesian military. A long planning model of 11 x 20 meters class has been developed by applying gas turbine as an alternative main propulsion power for both lifting and thrusting fans. The low of weight/power ratio that offered by gas turbine can improve payload of the hovercraft by 45.85%. This paper also resumes several technical aspects when the hovercraft upgraded to be a fully military use. The results conclude that the additional payload is a significant feature to improve protective hull material, cargo capacity for military gears, weapons system, and logistics. Increasing speed is also possible because of the use of an adjustable blades design in the thruster fans.