High Speed Combatant Craft Automated Ride Control

We propose to demonstrate an integrated ride control system for high speed small craft. Our approach uses a smart EM actuator and transom trim tabs as a direct replacement for the ubiquitous electrohydraulic and electric systems currently used for static trim adjustments. Our recent IRAD efforts have produced a self contained control system which can be installed on virtually any craft within a few hours. The architecture is similar to systems used on larger ferries, but it uses modern MEMS inertial sensing and an efficient brushless direct drive ballscrew instead of bulky and expensive hydraulics. Our Phase 1 goals are to use our craft to demonstrate the current capability to the special boat unit in San Diego and use their feedback to add software features. In P2 we will fit the system to a RIB reserved for science and technology development. BENEFITS: This system could be used in a broad range of military and civilian high speed water craft applications, where shock and motion mitigation are desired.