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Zyvex Technologies claims that its Piranha USV (unmanned surface vessel) is the largest boat of its kind built from nano-enhanced materials. Constructed entirely of Arovex, a nanotube-reinforced carbon fiber, the 54-ft boat weighs less than 9,000 lbs and can carry up to 15,000 lbs over 2,500 miles or more. The Piranha USV is equipped with one M7000A Seakeeper Gyro in order to stabilize the vessel. "Stability is especially important on a vessel intended for unmanned operations," said Zyvex director of defense applications Mike Nemeth. "The

Piranha is so lightweight that the Seakeeper's impact on the stability is amplified. Since we were able to develop the

Piranha from a clean sheet design perspective, we had the opportunity to incorporate the latest systems without compromising other requirements."

The Piranha USV is designed to perform a wide range of applications, such as surface surveillance, antipiracy, search and rescue, submarine warfare, mine countermea- sures and harbor patrol. "The Seakeeper has exceeded expectations during the initial sea trials," said Nemeth.

TECH FILE

For Unmanned Ultra-Lightweight Boats

Seakeeper Gyro 8 MN March 2011

Piranha USV Specifications:

Length . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53.4 ft

Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10.5 ft

Empty weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<8000 lbs

Full load displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<23,000 lbs

Draft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 ft

Fuel capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1400 gal

Fuel type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Diesel

Maximum speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45+ knots

Cruise speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 knots

Range @ cruise speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2800+ nm

Cruise endurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96+ hrs

On station endurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40+ days

Silent loiter ability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120+ hrs

Payload capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15,000+ lbs • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mk 54 Torpedos • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .RGM-84 Harpoon Missiles • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AGM-114 Hellfire Missiles • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7.62 Stabilized Machine Gun • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .MCM Towing Capability • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Internal Active/Passive SONAR

The Piranha USV in sea trials

Inset Left The M7000A Seakeeper Gyro.