PRODUCT >> 8000 TD

The Griffon 8000TD is the latest, largest and most powerful hovercraft in the large griffon range. Capable of speeds in excess of 50 knots (58mph or 93 kph) This craft cruises at a speed of 40+ knots with a full payload in zero wind zero wave('0/0') conditions.

The 8000TD, and its military version the 8000TD(M), is powered by two water cooled diesel. Since a hovercraft obviously can not pick up raw cooling water whilst traveling over land the 8000TD's engines are radiator cooled.

Whereas the 8000TD is the same overall length as the 4000TD, it is nearly one metre wider. However with its two 596kW (800hp) engines compared to the 4000TD's two 386kW(525hp) engines, it is far more powerful and seems to be the preferred choice for military operators. Please see the latest developments page for the news on the six 8000TD(M) ordered by the Indian Coast Guard. Depending upon configuration, the 8000TD carries a 8 -10 tonnes payload.

In its commercial role, this high speed amphibious craft can carry 80 passengers in airline - type seats, plus their luggage. It is also proving of interest to various airport crash rescue authorities where it is capable of rescuing many more people and can be equipped with full fire fighting, first aid and rescue apparatus. The 8000TD can also be equipped with a bow ramp and carry small conventional or tracked vehicles, or a combination of people, cargo/freight and a vehicle.

In the military role, these craft are particularly useful for amphibious assault, logistics support and fast attack - perhaps lying up on an unprepared beach under trees and then taking the direct line (regardless of deep water channels, mud, sand, rock etc.) to intercept.

Another very important role for the 8000TD (M) is Mine Counter Measure(MCM). Hovercraft do not set off mines over which they travel (they produce virtually no acoustic, magnetic or pressure signatures) and the Royal Navy proved that, should a mine inadvertently be set off beneath a hovercraft, the air cushion will absorb the shock wave, there will be no injures to the crew, and the craft will travel back to its base under its own power. Equipped with today's light-weight sonars, navigation and tracking systems, the hovercraft can travel under its own power (or be transported to the mined area) operate off an unprepared beach and carry out rapid mine clearance in the surf zone (i.e. from ten meters water depth right up to and onto the beach).

The 8000TD is set to dominate the medium-lift market for hovercraft.