Sea Shadow (IX-529)
This is an experimental boat built by Lockheed for the US Navy to study stealth technology on the water. And then sold at auction with the only condition: the buyer had to destroy it.
This is not a new development - Sea Shadow was launched in the distant 1984 year, but until 1993, its existence was kept in the deepest secret. This is not exactly a catamaran; Sea Shadow layout is called SWATH (English Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull, a double-hulled vessel with a small cross-sectional area at the waterline).
Boat in 1999 year
Such an arrangement allows the ship to remain stable when 6-ball rolling (waves from 4 to 6 meters in height). Subsequently, similar technology was used on oceanographic vessels, for which the pitching factor plays a significant role in the research process.
At the same time, Sea Shadow was never considered as a boat for, say, military missions. There are two benches on board that can accommodate 12 people, a microwave and a refrigerator, and that’s all the equipment. Even body armor has nowhere to lay down.
After the end of the trial period, from 1993 to 2006, the boat was put up not so much for everyone to see, but, let's say, was available to the press. Then he talked about the transfer of his museum, but the Navy insisted that the boat should be disassembled, and previously sold at auction (that is, in fact it was a question of selling for parts).
By the way, in the film “Tomorrow Will Never Die Never” with Pierce Brosnan there is a boat, one-on-one similar to Sea Shadow.
Key Features of Sea Shadow
Crew: 4 person
Year Built: 1983
Manufacturer: Lockheed Corporation
Length: 50 m
Beam width: 21 m
Displacement: 572 t
Draft: 4,6 m
Maximum speed: 26,3 km / h
This is not a new development - Sea Shadow was launched in the distant 1984 year, but until 1993, its existence was kept in the deepest secret. This is not exactly a catamaran; Sea Shadow layout is called SWATH (English Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull, a double-hulled vessel with a small cross-sectional area at the waterline).
Boat in 1999 year
Such an arrangement allows the ship to remain stable when 6-ball rolling (waves from 4 to 6 meters in height). Subsequently, similar technology was used on oceanographic vessels, for which the pitching factor plays a significant role in the research process.
At the same time, Sea Shadow was never considered as a boat for, say, military missions. There are two benches on board that can accommodate 12 people, a microwave and a refrigerator, and that’s all the equipment. Even body armor has nowhere to lay down.
After the end of the trial period, from 1993 to 2006, the boat was put up not so much for everyone to see, but, let's say, was available to the press. Then he talked about the transfer of his museum, but the Navy insisted that the boat should be disassembled, and previously sold at auction (that is, in fact it was a question of selling for parts).
By the way, in the film “Tomorrow Will Never Die Never” with Pierce Brosnan there is a boat, one-on-one similar to Sea Shadow.
Key Features of Sea Shadow
Crew: 4 person
Year Built: 1983
Manufacturer: Lockheed Corporation
Length: 50 m
Beam width: 21 m
Displacement: 572 t
Draft: 4,6 m
Maximum speed: 26,3 km / h
Information