Abstract: A ship having a multi-mode hull where the draft, seakeeping, and payload-carrying capacity are varied to match the requirements of the required mission. For example, the ship has a hull with first and second hull portions and with an interconnecting hull structure, and has a ballasting system within the hull portions and operable to adjust the draft of the vessel in conjunction with the payload carried by the ship so that the ship can perform a designated mission. The hull is designed to have an adjustable hull depth according to the payload carried to perform the mission and augmented by the ballasting system so as to optimize draft, and thus hull mode, to meet mission requirements.

Abstract: A method for outfitting a vessel such as a water ship for a particular mission includes maneuvering the vessel toward a mission module, capturing the mission module with the vessel, and coupling the mission module to the vessel. Such method allows one to interchange mission modules, and thus outfit a vessel for different missions, quickly and easily.

Abstract: A variable-draft vessel. The variable-draft vessel including a center hull; a first side hull coupled to a first side of the center hull; a second side hull coupled to a second side of the center hull; and at least one cross support coupling the first and second side hulls, wherein the center hull is configured to be vertically translated with respect to the first and second side hulls.

Abstract: A small waterplane area high speed ship is disclosed which includes a hull structure having a bow portion and a stern portion with the hull being normally supported above the surface of the water when in operation. A forward set of dual struts depend from the bow portion of the hull structure; these dual struts are subtended by a first transverse displacement foil extending laterally between amd connected to each of the dual struts. A second set of aft dual struts depend from the stern portion of the hull structure; the second set of dual struts are subtended by a second transverse displacement foil extending laterally between and connected to each of said struts. The transverse displacement foils provide the major bouyancy for the ship during operation to maintain the hull above the surface of the water during operation. The forward and aft struts and the foils are spaced longitudinally a predetermined distance selected such that the transverse wave created by each corresponding element is 180.degree. apart.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vessel that is hull stabilized. The stability is achieved by the particular orientation of the lower hulls. In one embodiment the lower hulls are inclined to the calm water or design waterline.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vessel that is form stabilized. The stability is achieved by the particular shape or orientation of the struts or both. In one embodiment the dihedral struts have a cambered cross-section area. In another embodiment the cross-section area of the struts are symetrical and the struts are mounted in a toe out position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to maneuvering control systems for small waterplane-area twin hull design watercraft. The maneuvering control system of the present invention includes horizontal or dihedral foils mounted on the lower hulls of the watercraft. The foils may take the form of a one-piece rotatable foil or a foil that includes a plurality of movable sections.