MEKAT57mm
76mm
MEKAT- An Unconventional Naval Vessel
Main characteristics ship platform MEKAT 150:
Lenght, overall: 36.80 m
Beam overall: 12.70 m
Depth: 1.70 m
Depth in travel: ca. 0.80 m
Design displacement: ca. 150 t
Propulsion:
high-speed diesel engines
speed > 47 kn
In order to service the market for high-speed vessels for coastguard duties and for rapid sea transportation, Blohm + Voss has developed the MEKAT Class of air-cushion catamarans. These vessels, also known as Surface Effect Ships (SES), combine a twin-hull and an air-cushion ship design. The space between the two hulls is sealed off fore and aft by flexible rubber aprons, inside which appropriately rated fans can build up pressure. The comparatively low pressure of the air-cushion (0.05 bar) lifts the vessel so far out of the water that only approx. 20% of its weight is borne by water and almost 80% by the air-cushion. This imparts to the MEKAT a whole range of unique properties and significant advantages when compared to a single-hull craft of the same size.
Extremely high speeds (up to 60 kn) with moderate power propulsion,
Shallow draft (< 0.8m on the cushion) excellent shallow water properties,
Very good seagoing properties,
Generous space available due to the catamaran construction,
Reduced signatures (radar, infrared, acoustic).
Based on a market analysis, Blohm + Voss has developed a series of MEKAT vessels in the 80 to 250 t range.