May 25-27 2010
Stiletto Maritime Test Platform will be on display at OceanTech Expo in Newport, RI this May 25-27 2010. The M80 Stiletto is a prototype naval ship manufactured as an operational experiment for the Pentagon's Office of Force Transformation. An example of next generation military vessels combining new materials (carbon fiber) with a networked architecture and a breakthrough hull design, she now serves as a Maritime Test Bed platform for the Rapid Reaction Technology Office in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
The Stiletto project supports multiple threads of testing and experimentation for varied operational communities. In addition to naval architecture testing, performance trials, modeling, and design tool development, the project utilizes concept-technology pairing in operational experimentation to accelerate the small craft community's increased lethality, survivability, networked C4I integration, and small unit connectivity and situational awareness. Although the craft incorporates experimental naval architecture to explore the scalability of non-mechanical dynamic lift, composite carbon fiber construction, and high speed performance for military operations; the craft's electronic keel and associated craft characteristics (covered payload space, UAV flight deck, shallow draft, and ability to easily integrate C4I systems) provide Stiletto a unique R&D capability. The electronic keel was designed to be flexible, modular and re-configurable to enable near plug and play installation of C4I equipment. As a non-program of record, Stiletto streamlines the experimental process and helps facilitates the rapid testing and exploration of emerging technologies.
US forces currently operating in inshore and littoral environments, particularly those from small boats and other combatant craft, have not benefited from the same level of technology exploration and advancement as ground forces, the aviation community, and large Navy assets. The Stiletto project supports multiple threads of testing and experimentation for varied operational communities. In addition to naval architecture testing, performance trials, modeling, and design tool development, the project utilizes concept-technology pairing in operational experimentation to accelerate the small craft community's increased lethality, survivability, networked C4I integration, and small unit connectivity and situational awareness.
