Maritime Flight Dynamics Inc.

Revolutionary Technology

The aerodynamically stable platform is based on NASA's Lifting-Body Airfoil design. Proprietary hydrodynamic lifting surfaces provide pilot passive response to a naturally variable sea state. Propulsion systems are adapted from proven off-the-shelf offshore race boat systems.

Operational design objectives included the elimination of active aeronautical control surfaces to simplify pilot duty. Basically, the craft's built-in stability systems - including automated computer controlled gyroscopic feedback- means the craft may be operated by anyone familiar with high performance offshore powerboat operation.

Several computers operate quietly in the background sampling the vessel's attitude 400 times per second, automatically balancing the craft until manual override steering inputs are registered. The computer instantly takes back control to balance the craft against quartering waves, 'misload' conditions, or prevailing winds off the beam. Ultimately, however, safety does not rely not on e-control systems, but instead is based on the passive stability incorporated into the craft's design. Fly-by-wire control systems are simply to ease pilot load and are not relied upon as a safety device.