Open-air manoeuvring tests of a high-speed craft model: analysis of triangular and rectangular interceptor designs

The manoeuvring performance of high-speed craft is critical to safety, efficiency and mission success. Interceptors control trim, reduce resistance and improve dynamics, yet the influence of planform geometry on manoeuvring is underexplored. This study experimentally compares rectangular and triangular interceptors fitted to a high-speed vessel model. Free-running manoeuvre tests at an inland site used UAV-based tracking to obtain trajectory, speed, turning period and pitch/roll motions. The results show rectangular interceptors stabilise roll but reduce yaw agility and speed as the effective area grows, likely from increased stern lift and drag. Triangular interceptors deliver sharper turning and stronger pitch damping at larger effective areas, but can induce higher roll dynamics. Overall, the findings emphasise balancing geometry and deployed area to optimise manoeuvrability, stability and hydrodynamic efficiency. The dataset provides quantitative guidance for interceptor selection in high-speed craft operations and design, and a baseline for future studies spanning intermediate geometries and diagnostic flow measurements.