We Test the RAD Propulsion Electric Drive System Aboard a Zodiac Boat
by Friedrich Seiltgen
I was invited to take control of the boat…
During Special Operations Week in Tampa, Florida, Soldier of Fortune publisher Susan Katz Keating arranged a test demonstration with RAD Propulsion of their RAD 40 extended-range pack electric drive system, mounted on a Zodiac Milpro MK 5 inflatable boat. I went for the ride, and here’s what I found.
THE RAD ELECTRIC DRIVE SYSTEM
The RAD package comprises a 40 kW continuous power electric drive outboard motor, RADBus drive-by-wire control, a 42 kWh battery capacity, which uses a 400 Volt architecture for fast battery charging. It’s a complete plug-and-play system that’s rapidly deployable and ready for rugged use.
The RAD 40 motor is smaller than its gas-powered equivalent, yet it provides the thrust of a 60 hp internal combustion engine. The system was designed from the ground up to take advantage of new electric propulsion technology. It remains flush with the transom when tilted up, minimizing intrusion into the vessel’s deck space, and the compact footprint maximizes usable space on the boat for more operators and equipment.
Photos courtesy of Friedrich Seiltgen
The high-torque axial flux motor is paired with a bespoke propeller, individually designed and manufactured to match the vessel’s hull, engine, and intended use, ensuring exceptional acceleration. With no intakes to clog or risk of broken impellers, the RAD 40 closed-circuit cooling system requires no maintenance.
READ MORE: Speedboat S-Turns With Sharrow Propellers: Soldier of Fortune Goes Along for the Ride
The RAD 40 system produces significantly less heat than an internal combustion engine, resulting in a lower thermal signature for stealthy insertion.
The system can be acquired turnkey, or can be packed onto a pallet and shipped out for quick, easy installation using only a few bolts and brackets on the user’s boat.
THE ZODIAC MARK 5 MILPRO INFLATABLE
This ain’t your grandpa’s Zodiac. The original Zodiac Company was founded in 1896 and is recognized as a pioneer in inflatable boat technology. Zodiac Milpro was part of the group until 2011, when it was spun off to focus on rigid inflatable boats and other inflatable watercraft for demanding applications, such as military use, search and rescue, and professional maritime use.
Zodiac Milpro has not only advanced the technology but also introduced numerous patented solutions. Today, it leads as the premier manufacturer of inflatable and semi-rigid boats, setting industry standards worldwide, while the original Zodiac company focuses on recreational boating.
TEST RIDE
We boarded the Mark 5 at the Tampa Convention Center docks and headed into the Garrison Channel to test it out. I was invited to take control of the boat and was impressed with how quickly it accelerated, and its excellent maneuverability while performing S-turns.
The steering was effortless and smooth, and noise and cavitation were minimal. The lower unit of the motor rotates 90 degrees in either direction, independent of the top end. To demonstrate. I brought the boat to a complete stop, hit the throttle, turned hard right, and the boat quickly spun 360 degrees within its footprint. Together with the 180-degree drive-by-wire, fully integrated electric steering system, it provides enhanced maneuverability for easy docking in tight spaces.
With a top speed of 22 knots, depending on load, the RAD 40 electric drive system is capable of inserting special operators to the objective quickly and providing a fast, quiet exfiltration. This system would be an asset to a special operations-type mission that requires a quick solution and setup, utilizing a dependable, low-maintenance system.
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in lone wolf terrorism counterstrategies, firearms, and active shooter response. Contact him at polizei22@msn.com. He writes frequently for Soldier of Fortune.