Tango01 | 23 Aug 2014 10:08 p.m. PST |
"38-foot long main cabin rests on top of a pair of 12-foot tall struts At high speeds they raise cabin above the water like a hydrofoil It looks uncannily like the X-Wing fighter from the sci-fi blockbuster Star Wars. However, in fact this is the Ghost – a $10 USDm ship designed to 'fly' above the water on legs and deliver marines into battle. Invented by a Maine medical tech millionaire, the US Navy is already considering buying the craft…" Full article and video here link Amicalement Armand |
Ironwolf | 23 Aug 2014 10:20 p.m. PST |
It looks nothing at all like an x-wing. But it does look kewl. Wonder how it fairs being hit while trying to land troops on a beach?? |
Sobieski | 23 Aug 2014 10:31 p.m. PST |
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NWMike | 23 Aug 2014 11:11 p.m. PST |
It better have great stealth capabilities, because it looks downright fragile. |
Disco Joe | 24 Aug 2014 4:28 a.m. PST |
So an X-wing without the X. |
The G Dog | 24 Aug 2014 7:42 a.m. PST |
It looks more like a Klingon "Bird of Prey". Right down to the variable geometry wings. |
Lion in the Stars | 24 Aug 2014 10:10 a.m. PST |
My first thought was Lambda shuttle, but BoP works, too. It also reminds me of the Sea Shadow ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Shadow ):
Honestly, radar stealth is probably best used for landing craft, just to reduce the numbers hit on the way in. The problem with this design is that it's very wide with a small cabin. Means it would take up a lot of space in a well deck but not carry many troops or much cargo. |
The G Dog | 24 Aug 2014 6:49 p.m. PST |
Yup. Be good for shore to shore operations, but not so much the conventional 'phib mission. Maybe think of it as LCI 2.0? |
Delthos | 25 Aug 2014 7:14 a.m. PST |
Not sure which version of Star Wars they were watching but that looks nothing like an X-Wing. More like something from Star Trek. |
PHGamer | 25 Aug 2014 7:56 a.m. PST |
I think the X-Wing reference, (which is obvious a marketing ploy to generate interest) refers to the variable geometry nature of the engine pods (nacelles?). They lift up when close to shore to get this thing close to the beach, and come down only when speed is required. So it seems to have all the advantages of a hydrofoil, and avoids some of the disadvantages. Yes, taking a hit running at full speed is going to make casualties of all the occupants, but truth to tell, what is going to get a shot on it? We are not likely to assault vigorously defended beaches like WWII. |
Einar Gosric | 25 Aug 2014 12:10 p.m. PST |
Maybe a bomber version of the A9 Interceptor. But nuch better looking |