United States Army Shallow-Draft Boat Program

Abstract

The increased emphasis on counterinsurgency-type operations forced the Army to consider means to improve logistics in swamps and inundated areas. The intent of this consideration was to complement aerial movement of men and supplies. Although this type of ground operation has a long history in military annals, prevailing circumstances have created an unprecedented demand for improved mobility in that environment. The unit of load arbitrarily established was a ton of supplies or a squad of troops, depending on the mission. The end item expected to carry that load had to be simple, cheap, and easily reproduced. Conventional boat designs tested in heavy watergrowths proved totally inadequate; consequently, a major part of the effort was directed to obtaining a propulsion system which was capable of swamp negotiation as well as good open-water performance. In the propulsion study, waterjets, sine disks, paddle wheels, rule propellers, and the airscrew were tested and evaluated. The use of a unique propulsion system was further complicated by boundary requirements of minimal navigational draft, of envelope size compatible with surface and aerial delivery, and of a weight allowing manhandling for limited distances overland. Selection was finally narrowed to the water-jet and the airscrew-propelled boat. Development of these two craft is currently in the final phase of tests and evaluations for field use.