In a scene more reminiscent of The Matrix than Master and Commander, Land Rover BAR have launched the third in their series of testing boats.
- Audio communications network; jacked in and levels tested. Check.
- Computer; booted, logged in and network live. Check.
- Fibre optic and six-axis motion sensor arrays; online, calibrated, tested and responding. Check.
The rules only allow the team to build one full-size 50 foot America's Cup Class (ACC) boat. However, the team can build shorter (45 foot) versions as test boats – T3 is one of these, and while it looks very like the final race boat, it's a few feet shorter. The rules also define much of the hull shape and structure, making wing and hydrofoil control systems one of the key technology battlegrounds.
Just as wire cable linkages between the accelerator pedal and the carburettor in cars have been replaced by sensors and electronics; aboard T3, the ropes previously used to control the sails have now been replaced by hydraulics and electronics.
And so almost all of the team's innovation and new technology is hidden deep inside this third boat on the long development path to the final race design for the 35th America's Cup.
No one gets this thing off the dock without the password to the computer. But when the tyres have been kicked and the fires have been lit, once again, it's time to fly.
Ben Ainslie; Team Principal and Skipper, four times Olympic gold medallist and America's Cup winner: “T3 is another fantastic piece of technology from our designers, engineers, shore team and key suppliers. It's terrific to see the step changes we have made each time we launch a new boat. This is a new team, but it's growing up fast. Really fast.”
Richard Hopkirk; Head of Systems and Analysis: “T3 takes us a significant step closer to the systems that we will use on the final race boat. This boat will allow us to test and develop across all the key areas that will impact our ultimate performance, it's a critical progression in the search for fast, stable and continuous flight.”
T3 will sail from the team's home in Portsmouth, with a full development and testing programme to conduct throughout the summer.
Watch the video here.
