Batmobile-like GHOST aims to counter swarming

Attack strategies seek to defeat opponents with a minimum of effort and inflicting maximum damage. Of the many strategies that exist, one of the oldest is swarming. This involves small units that attack from different directions and later converge. If this sounds familiar, you wouldn't be surprised to find its origins based on insect behavior. Think bees, ants and wasps. Swarming isn’t just confined to the military, however, with bad guys also making use of this effective strategy. How do you counter it? Sure, you could deploy additional forces and weaponry to meet them head on but you can’t very well waste a large number of resources. And, if you’re battling it out at sea, it makes things even trickier.

GHOST - High-speed attack craft

Enter GHOST, an attack craft that the US military might just be interested in. Looking like a cross between the Batmobile and a boat, it has been designed by Juliet Marine Systems, Inc., a technology systems company. According to JMS, the attack craft can be used to counter piracy as well as swarming enemy boats. It can also be used to resupply oil rigs and other crafts out at sea.

So, what exactly is GHOST capable of? Juliet Marine Systems, Inc. says that the craft has a higher payload capacity which helps store more fuel for lengthy missions. This is made possible owing to the use of something called supercavitation technology which creates air pockets to reduce friction on the hull while jet packs propel the craft to high speeds.

Picture Gallery

High-speed attack craft - GHOST

Its large fuel capacity allows for long duration missions and its heavy weapons payload capacity ensures it can be weaponized to meet any threat

JMS is of the view that the attack craft could be vital in helping keep the Strait of Hormuz open which Iran sometimes threatens to close. At the moment, the company is looking for a weapons integrator to fill GHOST’s supposed heavy weapons payload of a few thousand pounds. The company claims that the craft has been designed to be able to conceal weapons in enclosed bays including Mark 48 torpedoes. This, it says, will help reduce radar cross section. GHOST can also be seen firing at enemies with a Gatling type gun.

Not much else has been specified about this Batmobile-like craft and all we can do now is wait and see if it can take off. Considering that the number of piracy cases in the past few months has seen a dip, JMS may find it difficult to get buyers. But, fans of GHOST may just be able to get their hands on one as JMS is considering making it available for private parties. It is also in talks with the shipping industry to equip private security patrol ships with GHOST crafts. So, don’t be surprised to come across this prototype if you ever decide to venture out to sea.

Via: Wired