EXPERIMENTAL AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE OF A SELF-TRIMMING WING-SAIL FOR AUTONOMOUS SURFACE VEHICLES

Recent experimental testing of an unmanned autonomous marine surface vehicle has demonstrated several key advances for a wind propelled platform. The HWT-X1, is a winged catamaran based on modified conventional sailing vessel intended for use as surveillance and sensor platform in either littoral or unprotected waters. The novel propulsion system is a vertical wing, suspended on bearings and “flown” aerodynamically using conventional flaps and tails. Experimental validation has shown exceptional pointing performance, with upwind progress at 20-25 degrees to the true wind. Additionally, speeds of 60% of the true wind speed are achieved routinely under wind speeds from 12 - 25 knots.