Advanced Marine Engine for Combatant Craft Increased Payload

Today’s riverine forces employ combatant patrol/assault craft that rely on speed, acceleration, and maneuverability for survivability and multi-mission success. These capabilities are at risk because of the increasing demand to carry more extensive payloads. Current diesel fuel propulsion systems are typically modifications of truck or industrial engines with a weight to power ratio of 3-5. By reducing the propulsion weight, the craft will be able carry more extensive payloads. The three engine choices are diesel, gasoline, and turbine. Current diesel engines don’t meet the weight goal. Gasoline engines are not an option due to fleet requirements. Turbine engines have an unacceptable thermal signature. However, a novel engine, the Linear Power Transmission (LPT) engine has the greatest potential to meet the 1lb/hp goal. The original engine, by Herrmann, which received FAA certification in the 1950’s, weighed 237 lbs and produced 200 hp. This proposal seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of an innovative multi-fuel marine engine, based on the LPT, we currently produce. Project goals include an engine design that is scalable or can be modularized, 100-700Hp range for direct drive systems, weight-to-power ratio less than or equal to 1.0, and able to withstand marine operational duty cycles with extended life cycle.