U.S. Coast Guard Small Boat Programs
The Coast Guard is the largest single operator of small patrol craft, with multiple small boat programs under way.
“In terms of current CG-9 [Acquisition Directorate] small boat projects, the 29-foot RB-S II project [from Metal Shark Aluminum Boats] is delivering boats at a pretty regular pace, with 64 on order and 39 already delivered. RB-M [from Marinette Marine and Kvichak Marine] is well underway, with 166 on order and 121 delivered. We’ve also taken delivery of the first of our new over-the-horizon and Long Range Interceptor cutter boats,” said Brian Olexy, spokesperson for the Coast Guard’s CG-9 Acquisition Directorate.
The 29-foot RB-S II craft are replacements for the 400-plus Defender-class RB-S – representing 29 percent of the service’s boat fleet – as they reach the end of their expected 10-year service lives. RB-S II was designed for greater crew comfort and functionality than the legacy Defender-class RBS. The service plans to procure up to 500 boats: 470 boats for the Coast Guard, 20 for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and 10 for the Navy.
There are a number of Special Purpose Craft (SPC) programs, but one that stands out is the SAFE Boats 33-foot SPC-LE platform, which has been exported to several nations under the aegis of U.S. government security assistance programs.
The Camarc Design 45-foot RB-Ms are built by Marinette Marine and Kvichak Marine. They are replacements for the legacy 41-foot and other nonstandard utility boats (UTB). Deliveries are running at 30 boats per year.
The Brazilian river monitor Parnaíba (U-17) is possibly the oldest operational warship in the world. Built by Arsenal da Marinha da Ilha das Cobras in Rio de Janeiro and commissioned on March 9, 1938, Parnaíba participated in World War II. The 55-meter, 720-ton ship was modernized with two diesel engines in place of its reciprocating steam plant, 40 mm Bofors L60/70 cannon, and a helicopter deck capable of operating Bell Jet Rangers, in 1998-1999. Endurance was also increased from three days to 16 days. The ship is assigned to the Flotilla of Mato Grosso operating from Ladário in the 6th Naval District. Poder Naval / naval.com.br
The Coast Guard says that crews love the RB-M’s self-righting capability and the shock-mitigating crew seats. They can arrive on scene quickly and respond more effectively than legacy boats, while interoperability of the RB-Ms with other Coast Guard assets greatly enhances mission-related command and control.
The two cutter boat projects have requirements for 10 (six, plus four options) Long Range Interceptor-II (LRI-II) boats and up to 101 Over-the-Horizon-IV (OTH-IV) boats – 71 for the Coast Guard, 20 for CBP, and 10 for the Navy.
The 26-foot OTH-IV boats from SAFE Boats International will be used for VBSS, while the 35-foot LRI-II from Metalcraft Marine – designed and built in partnership with Brunswick Commercial & Government Products – will help NSC crews extend their interdiction range.
There are a number of Special Purpose Craft (SPC) programs, but one that stands out is the SAFE Boats 33-foot SPC-LE platform, which has been exported to several nations under the aegis of U.S. government security assistance programs.
Battlefield Needs Spur Technological Evolution for Platforms
Battlefield needs continue to spur rapid technological advances that translate into new capabilities for platforms and the warfighter.
With the greater need for maritime domain awareness as well as a “common operational picture” in a fluid and often confused battlespace, it is vital for forward-deployed units to have the appropriate command, control, communications, computers intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR), and exploitation tools to provide real-time tactical feeds and “reachback” as required. “Blue force trackers” to keep track of friendly forces to prevent “blue on blue” incidents are equally important.
Turkey’s Yonca Onuk is rapidly emerging as a leading supplier of advanced composite high speed patrol craft, with a series of MRTP craft ranging in size from 15 to 60 meters. The company often licenses production of patrol craft to the user country – sometimes a crucial factor in the selection process. Three of Egypt’s six MRTP 20 are being built locally. Photo via Mrityunjoy Mazumdar
As such, integration of advanced communications systems, including wireless intercom with video capability, high-speed data links, blue force trackers, advanced electro-optical devices and, crucially, unmanned ISR systems, is now the norm. “ISR systems remain critically important for find-fix-finish and force protection,” noted Pybus in an interview with Special Operations Technology magazine in 2012.
Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in use by the Navy and NSW include the Aqua Puma and the Scan Eagle. But a next-generation small tactical UAS (STUAS) that is compatible with the Navy’s ISR systems is required for the NSW community, said Pybus at WEST 2012.
Unmanned aerial vessels (UAVs), capable of 25-knot speeds and powered by very small Rolls-Royce waterjets, are being developed and fielded under the Navy’s Modular Unmanned Surface Craft Littoral (MUSCL) program.
In short, platforms are rapidly evolving toward networked systems of systems that integrate multiple platforms – albeit to varying degrees. As expected, this depends on the level of funding and technical ability of any given navy or coast guard.
Advanced surface craft power systems using lighter, multi-fuel engines with significantly better power-to-weight ratios and fuel efficiency than extant systems are needed. Requirements call for a power-to-weight ratio of 1.0 horsepower/pound and a fuel efficiency of 0.1 pound/horsepower per hour vice 0.38 horsepower/pound and 0.35 pound/horsepower per hour respectively.
A premium is placed on obtaining increased operational capacity and capabilities with lighter, smaller, more energy-efficient platforms – both manned and unmanned. Similarly, reduced signatures and low and counter-low observable (CLO) technologies are required to minimize and delay detection. To this end, the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock, Combatant Craft Department has been evaluating the 43-foot Advanced Composite Riverine Craft built by Seeman Composites to a design by naval architect Lou Codega since 2010. The initial goal of the ACRC program was to develop a hull material and construction technique that would have the toughness and damage tolerance of conventional aluminum but would offer the advantages of significant weight reduction and elimination of the permanent deformation inherent in a metal structure.
Lighter weight modular/removable armor weighing less than 3.5 pounds per square foot that matches or betters current systems – NIJ Level III to NIJ Level IV, for instance – is very much in demand.
For high-speed craft, there’s an increased emphasis on dynamic shock mitigation to minimize spinal injuries. “We’re absolutely committed to using technology and designs that minimize pounding and g forces in the cockpit or crew compartment. Human factors will be part of any selection criteria for craft we purchase, and we’ll upgrade shock absorption and performance in the craft we currently have to minimize adverse physical effects for our crews and troops,” said Pybus.
Israel Shipyards has been successful selling its 25-meter Shaldag to a number of customers, including the Mk. 2 to the Nigerian navy and Equatorial Guinea navy, and the Mk. 4 to Romania’s Frontier Guard. P247 is the first Nigerian Shaldag Mk. 2, seen here with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan embarked during a Fleet Review in 2010. Two Ribcraft Pro 7.8-meter RHIBs used by the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service flank the Shaldag. Two other Shaldags, P255 and P256, were commissioned in February 2013. Royal Navy/ HMS Ocean
Advanced surface craft power systems using lighter, multi-fuel engines with significantly better power-to-weight ratios and fuel efficiency than extant systems are needed. Requirements call for a power-to-weight ratio of 1.0 horsepower/pound and a fuel efficiency of 0.1 pound/horsepower per hour vice 0.38 horsepower/pound and 0.35 pound/horsepower per hour respectively.
Lighter batteries with higher power densities, minimal thermal signatures, and reduced recharge times using micro battery technology are crucial to powering the energy needs of today’s and tomorrow’s warfighters. SOCOM requires batteries with at least one order of magnitude greater energy density, five to 10 times the current battery capacity life, and reduced recharge times over currently available commercial batteries.
Wireless recharging systems without cables or physical contact are under development. In partnership with LaserMotive, Lockheed Martin has demonstrated the feasibility of recharging drones using laser energy – having increased a Stalker drone’s flight duration by 2,400 percent to more than 48 hours in a laboratory test. A flight test is the next step.
Other areas of focus include nanotechnology to render material impervious to seawater, improved anti-corrosive coatings for weapons and better materials to extend operational lives. Given the diverse areas of operation, SOCOM is looking at portable translation devices and, even better, the ability to manage pools of vetted native speakers that can be tapped into.
This story was first published in Defense: Spring 2013 Edition.