This addition to the Rosenstiel School research fleet will assist the ACES mission to conduct earth science studies utilizing sustainable, electric research platforms.
The ACES electric flying boat, based on Candela's hydrofoil C-8, is built exclusively from carbon fiber and uses a set of retractable underwater wings with an advanced avionics and sensing system to lift the main vessel body above the water. The vessel has a cruise speed of 22 knots, with a maximum speed of 30 knots and can hydrofoil in wave heights up to 1.1 meters, beyond which it can still operate as a traditional planing vessel.
The vessel is further equipped with radar to deconflict boat and airspace traffic. A custom solar array will be integrated onto the vessel, leveraging ACES’ previous experience building the TSERV, a tidal and solar powered research vessel. Between field sites, the vessel is towed by an electric vehicle, also charged using solar.
