The Revolutionary Hydrofoils That Could Outrun Submarines

💡Hydrofoils were developed by the U.S. Navy in the 1960s to counter fast Soviet submarines and operate in rough seas.

🚀Hydrofoils could lift themselves out of the water, enabling them to reach high speeds and outmaneuver other ships.

🌊Traditional hydrofoil designs were stable but easily affected by waves, while newer designs positioned the foils underwater for smoother operation.

💰Hydrofoils had weight limitations and required aluminum hulls, making them less armored and cost-effective to build.

✈️Advancements in aircraft technology, such as utilizing aircraft for anti-submarine warfare, diminished the need for large ocean-going hydrofoils.

What are hydrofoils?

—Hydrofoils are vessels that can lift themselves out of the water, reducing drag and allowing for higher speeds. They were developed by the U.S. Navy in the 1960s.

Why did the U.S. Navy develop hydrofoils?

—The U.S. Navy developed hydrofoils to counter the threat of fast Soviet submarines, which were becoming more capable and numerous.

What were the advantages of hydrofoils?

—Hydrofoils could reach unprecedented speeds, operate in rough seas, and outmaneuver other ships.

What were the limitations of hydrofoils?

—Hydrofoils had weight limitations, requiring less armor and carrying less armament. They also faced stability challenges and were more maintenance-heavy.

Why did hydrofoils fall out of favor?

—Advancements in aircraft technology, particularly in anti-submarine warfare, made large ocean-going hydrofoils less necessary.

00:00The U.S. Navy developed hydrofoil technology in the 1960s to counter the threat of fast Soviet submarines. These hydrofoils could lift themselves out of the water, enabling them to reach high speeds, operate in rough seas, and outmaneuver other ships.

06:13Plainview, one of the Navy's prototype hydrofoils, was built to evaluate large, ocean-going hydrofoils. It featured innovative propulsion systems and foils that adjusted to maintain level flight, even in rough seas.

07:31Despite their potential, hydrofoils faced challenges such as weight limitations and less armor and armament capacity. By the mid-1970s, advancements in aircraft technology made large ocean-going hydrofoils less necessary.

08:46The U.S. Navy eventually put a smaller hydrofoil, the Pegasus class, into production for coastal patrol purposes. However, only six ships entered service, and they were retired after just 10 years.

09:45Hydrofoil development funding was cut in 1978, ending further hydrofoil development. Despite the challenges and limited success, hydrofoils represented a revolutionary concept in naval technology.