Advanced Electric Ship Demonstrator built by Dakota Creek

The AESD is an approximate quarter-scale destroyer class combatant with a length of more than 133’ and a full load displacement of 120 tons. The hull form is based on the 5565 tumble-home hull tested early in the DD(X) program, which is currently producing the DDG-1000. Among the first technologies tested was an underwater discharge waterjet from Rolls-Royce Naval Marine, Inc., called AWJ-21. The AWJ-21 is designed to increase ship speed, making hulls sleeker by working without rudders, shafts and propeller struts. Unlike conventional waterjets, the system works completely underwater, reducing noise and surface wake and improving stealth. The lightweight and compact AWJ-21 allows ships to operate in shallow waters. Its integrated steering and reversing system improves maneuverability at low speeds.

Advanced Electric Ship Demonstrator

The Sea Jet Advanced Electric Ship Demonstrator (AESD), funded by the Office of Naval Research, operates on Lake Pend Oreille located at the Naval Surface Warfare Center’s Carderock Division, Acoustic Research Detachment in Bayview, Idaho where it is used for testing and demonstrations of various technologies.

US Navy Sea Jet photograph by John F. Williams.

The AESD is an approximate quarter-scale destroyer class combatant with a length of more than 133’ and a full load displacement of 120 tons. The hull form is based on the 5565 tumble-home hull tested early in the DD(X) program, which is currently producing the DDG-1000. Among the first technologies tested was an underwater discharge waterjet from Rolls-Royce Naval Marine, Inc., called AWJ-21. The AWJ-21 is designed to increase ship speed, making hulls sleeker by working without rudders, shafts and propeller struts. Unlike conventional waterjets, the system works completely underwater, reducing noise and surface wake and improving stealth. The lightweight and compact AWJ-21 allows ships to operate in shallow waters. Its integrated steering and reversing system improves maneuverability at low speeds.

FAST FACTS
Length
133’0” - 40.58 meters (overall)
Delivery
December 2005