The Navy's LCTP and Future Applications Of Quiet, Air Driven Research Craft

To accelerate the rate of data acquisition and reduce the cost of towed sensor research and development, the Office of Naval Research undertook the development of a Low Cost Test Platform (LCTP). The craft that resulted from this program is an air propeller driven craft capable of towing array modules at speeds to 25 knots with substantially reduced waterborne radiated noise levels. This paper provides a brief description of the LCTP development program, a description of the crafts and a discussion of its current capabilities and potential future applications of air driven research craft.