• Triton

 Trimaran Research Project started in April 1999 and was  Sponsored by QinetiQ.

The Triton Trimaran Research Ship is a technology demonstrator ship for the Royal Navy's Future Surface Combatant (FSC) frigate requirement, due to enter service from 2013 and replace the Type 23 frigates. The design and manufacture of a large sea-going demonstrator vessel, which will be used to quantify the structural and sea keeping performance of the Trimaran, is being funded by QinetiQ (formerly DERA, the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency).

In August 1998, the UK Ministry of Defence awarded a contract to Vosper Thorny croft to construct the Trimaran, called RV (Research Vessel) Triton. The vessel was launched in May 2000 and delivered in August 2000.

In order to determine the feasibility of applying PLT systems to the marine environment it becomes necessary to both model and measure the variables, which exist within that environment.  In order to facilitate characterisation of a marine electricity distribution network QinetiQ provided access to a research vessel (RV Triton). This enabled the basic marine electricity distribution networks MEDN characteristics to be observed in both the frequency and time domains such that design parameters could be obtained by which to benchmark modem designs. The radiation efficiency at high frequencies (ingress and egress) of the MEDN cable  with regard to EMC considerations were investigated. Finally the study concluded with the design and build of a marine application remote controllable multimedia kit that offers a point-to-point duplex of audio, video, text and messaging. Final trials were carried out onboard RV Triton and objectives of the design were achieved successfully.  (QINETIQ)

A PC laptop can be connected to the power line anywhere on the ship, it can then control any of the ship's systems via this medium.

Triton Trimaran Research Ship