A small project for developing superconducting MHD ship propulsion is inclu
ded in the State High Technology Development Program. The project goal is t
o construct a MHD model ship with a 5T superconducting helical thruster. A
1.0 ton model ship with 3.5 m length, 0.85 m width was driven by the 5 T, 2
70 A superconducting helical thruster in a 25 m long, 2.75 m wide and 2.0 m
deep salt-water test tank to achieve 0.61 similar to 0.68 m/s velocity, th
e measured driving force is 40 similar to 45 N. A suggestion to extend this
project for another 2 years has been approved. The progress of the project
is reported.