ORCHID 20.5m

Preliminary Specifications

Introduction.

The ORCHID 20.5m is a unique high-speed multi-mission vessel based on a technically advanced catamaran hull form that provides hydrodynamic lift, thus ensuring the safety of the crew and ship during high-speed operations. Traditional designs are subject to violent and dangerous pitching when the hulls penetrate a wave. The ORCHID is optimized for high speed and shallow draft operation through the use of a light weight turbofan for high speed, and gas turbines for lower speed operation (less than 40 knots). The use of a turbofan for high speed maneouvers renders the boat virtually invisible to sonar, as there is no propulsive unit in the water.

As an all-weather high speed interceptor, the missions within ORCHID's capabilities include:

Offshore Patrol and Rescue

Customs and Excise

Civilian Police Vessel

Anti-Piracy Interdiction

Narcotics Interdiction

Special Operations

A variety of armament options are available, which can easily be accommodated on ORCHID's spacious deck.

Principal Dimensions are:	Length Overall	67.5 ft (20.57m)
	Beam Overall	38.8 ft (11.83m)
	Draft	3.2 ft (0.975m)
	Displacement	23.17 LT (23.5 tonnes)
	Power	2 x 1,500 hp Gas turbines 1 x 9,220 lbs thrust Turbofan

A. Performance Characteristics

Maximum Speed (full load)	60-70 kn (temperature dependent)
Maximum Range	2,744 nm at 48 kn.
Range at 15 knots (turbines)	1,472 nm
Range at 16 knots (turbines)	1,421 nm
Range at 30 knots (turbines)	821 nm
Range at 60 knots (turbines)	1,002 nm
Range at 76 knots (turbines)	394 nm

B. Construction

E-Glass, carbon fiber and Kevlar staggered laminate on Core-Cell resilient foam core, with longitudinal and transverse framing as required.

C. Accommodations (6'7" headroom minimum throughout).

Bridge Station	Helmsman's console with engine and steering controls Captain's seat and console with links to all functions Navigation console and chart table Communications/ESM console Gunnery console Head
Galley
Captain's cabin	Single bed, storage and head with shower
Crew's quarters	2 bunk bed units, Mess area and head with shower
Aft compartment	Stbd: 4 folding berths and 6 folding seats, fold-down boarding steps Port: 13'6" RIB or general storage with fold-down loading ramp.
Storage	Includes Galley stores, Ammo lockers port and starboard, Medical stores
Auxiliary machinery	Compartments aft.

D. Propulsion Machinery

High Speed	1 Turbofan engine, 9,220 lbs thrust, with a thrust vectoring nozzle linked to laser rate gyros fore and aft in each hull to provide dynamic pitch dampering.
Low Speed	2 doubled marine gas turbines, with combining gearboxes, each unit 750 hp (total 3,000 hp.) Main drive through American Hydrojet jet-drive units.

E. Auxiliary machinery.

Electrical generating capacity - 400 kW or as required

Marine air-conditioning system to maintain 25C interior temperature at 50C external.

F. Weapon Systems

As Required.

G. C^3 Systems.

Navigation and Communications Systems
• JRC JMA 3625 Radar unit with high-resolution display, 25kW transceiver
• Skipper 417 Echosounder, recording and digital output
• SITEX 8000g GPS with plotter
• KODEN KS538 UHF direction finder
• SAILOR 2048 VHF, with GMDSS Transponder
• Sailor Programme 2000 SSB, updated to GMDSS

Command and Control

• Sperry Marine advanced Guardian Star Automatic Direction Finding/ESM system.

H. Painting and Finish

Exterior in Naval Grey, letters and numbers as required.

Anti-fouling suitable for local conditions, red.

View a Comparison Chart

Questions or Comments? Contact Captain Ted Fekula, USN, Ret. Telephone & FAX: 001 (909) 928-3165 e-mail: Interdevco@aol.com interdevco@earthlink.net

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Created: 21 June 1996

Last Updated: 8 September 1996