Rolls-Royce developing water jet for Navy

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LONDON, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- A small water jet propulsion system for unmanned U.S. Navy craft is being developed by Rolls-Royce as part of a project led by Candent Technologies Inc.

Rolls-Royce said the water jet will be the smallest -- just 3.9 inches in diameter -- it has designed and will be used on unmanned craft used in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

"We are developing and adapting our world-leading water jet technologies as part of a highly efficient propulsion system which will enable these advanced craft to go about their duties crisscrossing waterways and oceans, often for months at a time," said Dennis Duke, Rolls-Royce, Advanced Programs Director -- Naval Marine Inc.

"Unmanned craft are a fast growing and exciting part of naval marine technology and we're delighted to be working with Candent and the U.S. Navy in developing this groundbreaking propulsion system."

The unmanned craft is a surface vessel known as MUSCL, or Modular Unmanned Surface Craft Littoral. The water jets will propel the vessel at a cruise speed of 15 knots and as much as 25 knots when needed.