Very Slender Vessel
A Very Slender Vessel (VSV) is a high-speed, wave-piercing craft. It is designed to give a comfortable ride over long, high-speed transits in high seas. [1]
Normal boats travelling at high speed in rough seas can produce a very uncomfortable ride with g-force as high as 20g. Wave piercing vessels avoid this by travelling through waves instead of over them and can exceed 60 knots (110 km/h).[1][2]
Military
North Korea
It was revealed in 2015[3] that North Korea has under development a VSV attack boat, reported to be deployed on the western side of the Korean peninsula. These were first detected on trials by satellite surveillance late in 2014. The first images of the completed vessel were released by North Korean media in July 2018, after a visit to the Chongjin shipyard by leader Kim Jong-un.[4]
Singapore
The Singapore Army operates VSV craft in special forces units. The craft are speculated to be replaced by new craft as of December 2018.[5]
United Kingdom
VSV craft like the Royal Marine VSV are used by both the Royal Marines and Special Boat Service.
Notes
- ^ a b "Very Slender Vessel". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2 February 2009.
- ^ Julian, Alex. "MarySlim yacht makes debut". topspeed.com. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
- ^ on 28 May 2015: North Korea deploys new generation of fast warships
- ^ First images of newly-built North Korean warship published by state media
- ^ Wong, Kelvin (18 December 2018). "Update: Singapore's new stealth combatant craft breaks cover". IHS Jane's 360. Singapore. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.