Graphene was recently at the heart of artistic designs for the warships of the future. British Naval architects and engineers were tasked by the Royal Navy and Ministry of Defense to imagine how the future fleet might look, in a challenge issued by Startpoint, a procurement group that brings together experts in naval defense from government, military and industry to provide advanced technology against a backdrop of tightening budgets.
Graphene was suggested as a means to increase the strength of ships, as well coating hulls to reduce drag, meaning they could sail faster and use less fuel. Among other features thought up for the ships are drone carrying sensors to replace conventional masts, to be connected to the ship by a tether made from cryogenically-cooled carbon nanotubes which would transmit power to aircraft’s motors and also energy weapons such as lasers.
