To reduce the hydrodynamic drag force to the movement of the boat, an artificial gas cavity is organized under its bottom. Such a cavity partially insulates the bottom from direct contact with water and provides “gas lubrication” by means of forced supply of atmospheric air or exhaust gases from the main propulsion system. A proper longitudinal and transverse shaping of the gas cavity can significantly (by 20%-30%) reduce the hydrodynamic drag of the boat at low (less than 3%) consumption of the propulsion system power for gas supply.
Development status of the NSTAR ion propulsion system power processor