Weight
88.3g
Thickness
6.27mm
Plies
9-ply
Head Size
159x152
Handles
FL / ST
Material
Hybrid
Head Shape
Oversized
Balance
Balanced
Ludeack Fleet
Nittaku Ludeack Fleet is a high-performance blade engineered for aggressive players seeking explosive power and superior spin. Its 7+2 ply construction masterfully blends the feel and dwell of wood with the speed and stiffness of integrated glass fiber. This hybrid delivers potent drives, powerful loops, and a satisfyingly crisp feel while maintaining remarkable control for its speed class. The slightly oversized head and optimized thickness create a balanced, dynamic feel, making it an excellent choice for players who dictate play from mid to far distance. Manufactured in Japan, it embodies Nittaku's commitment to quality craftsmanship.
This 7+2 ply construction features Limba outer plies for touch and speed, a substantial Ayous core and inner plies for feel and stability, and two integrated glass fiber layers. The glass fiber enhances power and stiffness while maintaining good feel and effective spin transmission, which is characteristic of well-designed hybrid blades.
TT Sensei Ratings
✦Our expert analysis of this blade's performance characteristics
Ludeack Fleet is a fast blade, solidly in the OFF to OFF+ category. The integrated glass fiber layers provide a significant power boost over traditional all-wood blades, enabling powerful drives and rapid attacks. This makes it a potent weapon for aggressive players looking to dominate rallies with speed.
For its speed, Ludeack Fleet offers commendable control. Players report excellent stability in blocking and the ability to land precise shots even at high tempo. Some adaptation may be needed for its slightly longer throw angle, but overall, it provides reliable accuracy for an offensive blade.
The feel is crisp, solid, and somewhat hard due to the glass fiber layers. It strikes a balance between the direct feedback of a composite and a slight residual dwell, avoiding the hollow sensation some carbon blades produce.
The blade produces a medium-high throw angle, which helps create spin-heavy, penetrating shots. This characteristic supports an offensive, looping style but may require some adjustment for players accustomed to a lower trajectory.
Dwell time is moderate. While not as long as a pure all-wood blade, the wood and glass fiber composite provides more dwell than many stiff carbon blades, facilitating good spin generation on serves and loops.
The blade is relatively stiff, providing a stable platform for power and speed. However, it's not excessively rigid; a slight elasticity aids in spin generation and contributes to its overall feel.
Vibration is very low. The glass fiber layers have a dampening effect, resulting in a solid, quiet feel upon ball impact that many players appreciate.
Nittaku's reputation for high-quality manufacturing is fully realized here. The materials and construction are described as excellent, with precise finishing and notable durability. It's a blade built to last while delivering consistent performance.
Technology
Nittaku Ludeack Fleet utilizes a specialized 7+2 ply construction that integrates two layers of glass fiber within a seven-wood-ply core. This hybrid design synergizes the benefits of traditional wood—such as feel, dwell, and spin—with the advantages of composite materials, including enhanced speed, stiffness, and power. Limba outer plies contribute to touch and spin potential, while the Ayous inner plies provide a stable core. The strategically placed glass fiber layers amplify power and speed, creating a distinct performance profile tailored for offensive players. Japanese manufacturing ensures high-quality craftsmanship throughout.
Pro Players Using This Blade
Cho Joong-ho
This blade has been associated with high-level competition, reportedly used in a notable victory over Ma Long. This demonstrates its capability to support an aggressive, offensive style aiming for speed and powerful attacks at the top tier of play.
Similar Blades
Nittaku Ludeack
Ludeack Fleet is a powered-up variation of the standard Nittaku Ludeack. The regular Ludeack is a 7-ply all-wood blade known for its control and crisp feel at an OFF- speed. The Fleet adds glass fiber layers, increasing power and speed to the OFF range while trading off a degree of control. It's a direct evolution for players seeking more explosiveness from a similar platform.
Butterfly Viscaria
Comparisons are often drawn to Butterfly's ALC blades like the Viscaria. Some players feel Ludeack Fleet offers a better, more communicative feel and slightly more forgiveness than comparable ALC blades, while maintaining similar consistency. The throw angle is noted as being similar or slightly longer on the Fleet.