Advanced naval vehicles (ANVs), defined here as surface effect ships (SES), hydrofoils, and small-waterplane-area twin-hull ships (SWATHs), hold significant promise for a number of naval missions, offering advantages in many operational areas. These advantages can extend to life-cycle costs when total force requirements are considered. NATO Special Working Group 6 (SWG/6), of which the United States is a member, has been particularly active in the evaluation of ANVs for various missions. A number of the participating nations have ongoing ANV development programs or have developed point designs for evaluation by SWG/6. This paper describes the SWG/6 organization and provides an introduction to some of these ANV programs. It presents the highlights of a series of antisubmarine warfare (ASW) corvette point designs developed as part of one of the SWG/6 initiatives and describes aspects of their assessment against conventional hull forms. The paper concludes with a description of some new SWG/6 programs.

It has been more than 30 years since the introduction of the SES. There are several hundred operating SES in the world today. Most are relatively small (less than 200 tons) and have operating speeds of 25 to 40 knots. The potential for larger, faster, SES has long been recognized. Today, with the emergence of six independent European initiatives for the development of 40 to 50‐knot, 500 to 2000‐ton, SES car ferries, we are on the threshold of a new generation of SES (Figure 1) — which will be introduced solely because they are perceived, by hard‐headed investors, as competitive commercial ventures. In this paper the history of SES development is summarized and a world‐wide census of SES craft presented. Current fast‐ferry and military initiatives are discussed. The SES concept is defined and characterized including a discussion of SES technologies. Predictions are made regarding future SES developments, followed by conclusions and recommendations.

This paper provides a progress report on the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Surface Ship Continuing Concept Formulation (CONFORM) program, first introduced to the Society at ASNE Day, 1981, by Commander Michael R. Terry. Since that time the program has produced many designs, achieved significant visibility and influence, and evolved in character. Designs and problem areas are summarized and the future potential of the program discussed.