The Sea Jet Experimental Ship (AESD) was built at the Dakota Creek Industries shipyard in Anacortes, Washington.
The ship (AESD) was baptized on 24 August 2005. The ceremony took place at the Acoustic Research Center in Bayview. Rear Admiral M. Jay Cohen, Chief of Naval Research, spoke at the christening. The ship's sponsor Kathleen Harper, wife of Thurman Harper, Rolls-Royce vice president of technical support, traditionally smashed a bottle of champagne on the fort. The ship was dubbed "Sea Jet".
Development and further research on the project is funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). In essence, this is a reduced (1: 4) model of a Zumbalt class destroyer - it is 40 meters long and has a displacement at full load of 120 tons. The Sea Jet was designed by Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC). The ship is being tested quite far from the sea, on Lake Pend Oreille. Lake Pend Oreille, due to its natural characteristics, is ideally suited for hydrodynamic, electromagnetic and acoustic tests. The lake is quite deep (350 meters) and isolated. Acoustic tests are carried out during the night when the influence of extraneous noise is minimal. In the cold season, tests can only begin at the beginning of the day. Also, the preference for the open ocean over the lake made it possible to avoid considerable monetary costs.
Research is being conducted by the US Navy's Surface Warfare Center in Carderock and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, Acoustic Research Detachment in Bayview, Idaho. At that time, the "Sea Jet" was powered by a 250 kW diesel generator, powered by a battery system consisting of 720 pieces of 12V-cells (XE40 Genesis batteries), which eventually allowed to produce 650kW of power, two electric motors, which in turn were driven into Rolls-Royce AWJ-21 movement (power - 300 kW each), integrated into the hull below the waterline. The Sea Jet has a crew of up to six people. The vessel reaches a maximum speed of 8 knots on diesel and 16 knots on batteries.
Among the first technologies to be tested on the ship were the Rolls-Royce AWJ-21, a propulsion system developed by Rolls Royce Naval Marine (RRNM) that provides improved propeller efficiency, reduced acoustic signature, and improved maneuverability over the previous DDG 51- class of destroyers. Additional advantages from the application of technologies incorporated in the AWJ-21, according to the designers, are to increase the speed of the vessel, this allows to make the hull of the vessel more graceful, working without rudders, shafts and propeller spacers. Unlike conventional water cannons, the system works completely underwater, reducing noise and footprints on the surface for improved stealth. The lightweight and compact AWJ-21 allows vessels to operate in shallow water. Its complex steering and reversing system improves maneuverability at low speeds. AWJ-21 propulsion tests were conducted at the Grand Cavitation Channel in Memphis, Tennessee, in mid-2005.
Philadelphia's Code 90 employees designed electric motors and their life support systems. General Dynamics has also contributed to the design and development of the electric powertrain. At ARL at Pennsylvania State University, test support was provided for the early development of the AWJ-21 propulsion system. MIT helped with its design.
On November 30, 2005, the first day of sea trials took place at Lake Pend Oreille. By mid-May 2006, it was reported that the "Sea Jet" at Lake Pend Oreille had been undergoing tests for 16 consecutive days, passing through three-foot waves, splitting them like a razor.
On March 14, 2008, following modifications to the Rimjet propulsion system and associated mechanical and electrical systems, Sea Jet returned to Lake Pend Oreille to continue hydrodynamic, electromagnetic and acoustic tests.
Other changes include removing the aluminum deckhouse and replacing the deckhouse made with composite materials, which absorbs electromagnetic waves to varying degrees.
The RIMJET propulsion system is a new type of propulsion system developed by General Dynamics Electric Boat with an electric control system developed by Rolls Royce, in which the propeller is part of the electric motor.
The advantages over the AWJ-21 are high output torque, minimal impact on the body contour and the ability to make the nacelles pivot. The RIMJET propeller blades are not mounted in the hub, but in the rim, which provides a number of advantages: The RIMJET operates at relatively low rpm. When operating the RIMJET, cavitation phenomena are significantly reduced and the rim prevents the formation of tip vortices. It also promises to be much more reliable and easier to maintain: eliminating the need for a cooling system, eliminating the need for a lubrication system for bearings and seals, and eliminating a stand outside the propeller reduces cavitation erosion.
Powered by the accumulators "Sea Jet" standing at that time, it had an autonomy of a maximum of 3 hours, after which it took 14 hours to recharge, which significantly slowed down the experiments.
In May 2008, the US Navy's Surface Weapons Development Center at Carderock and the Acoustic Research Division were presented with a report on the results of research related to the possibility of installing fuel cells on the Sea Jet as a power source. The report indicated that the integration of fuel cells on board the Sea Jet was possible.
The report looked at both different fuel cell options and different ways of storing hydrogen on board the Sea Jet.
The following options were presented for fuel cells:
SIEMENS (BZM 120), BALLARD (HD6), HELIOCENTRICS (HyPM HD-65).
In December 2010, the University of Idaho College of Engineering Moscow, ID 83844 (there is such a city in the USA) presented a report to NAVSEA, the Acoustic Research Department.
In the report, fuel cells were no longer considered as a power source - the system turned out to be too cumbersome and expensive for further implementation.
As an alternative, the use of lithium-ion batteries was considered, providing a power reserve for them up to 10 hours …
In October 2008, the laying of the USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000) took place at the Bath Iron Works.
The destroyer includes many of the developments gained during the operation of the "Sea Jet".
