Catamaran surface vessel with removable mission-specific payload module

摘要

A system includes a catamaran configured for use in a body of water and having twin hulls, the catamaran comprising an opening between the twin hulls, the opening having a size and shape substantially the same as a payload module. The system also includes the payload module removably coupled to the catamaran in the opening between the twin hulls. The system further includes a common interface coupled to the payload module and the catamaran, the common interface configured to exchange utilities between the payload module and the catamaran.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a catamaran configured for use in a body of water and having twin hulls, the catamaran comprising a vertically-oriented opening between the twin hulls; a payload module removably coupled to the catamaran in the opening between the twin hulls, the opening having a size and shape substantially the same as the payload module; and a common interface removably coupled to the payload module and the catamaran, the common interface configured to exchange utilities between the payload module and the catamaran, wherein the opening (i) allows the payload module to be vertically lowered from a position above the catamaran into the opening and (ii) allows at least one of the payload module or a payload in the payload module to be lowered into the water after the payload module is coupled to the catamaran in the opening.