The US Navy has exercised an option on its contract with Anaheim,
California-based Willard Marine for five additional 11-meter rigid inflatable boats
(RIBs) in addition to 10 the Navy ordered in 2014.
Willard Marine says it will provide three 11-meter open center
console (OCC) boats that will be equipped with twin Cummins QSB6.7 380-hp engines.
It will also supply two VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure) boats equipped with
twin Cummins QSB6.7 480-hp engines, both versions of which are expected to be paired
with Hamilton Jet HJ292 waterjets.
Willard Marine says it has sold a variety of boats to the Navy
for 37 years, including nearly 700 11-meter and 7-meter RIBs that are primarily
stored aboard and launched at sea from large naval ships deployed around the world.
The US Navy and Coast Guard have procured many 11-meter RIBs
in support of their Foreign Military Sales (FMS) divisions.
“The United States Navy and other military agencies have relied
upon Willard Marine vessels for nearly 40 years to safely transport service men
and women and enable them to successfully complete their missions, often in very
challenging sea conditions,” said Willard Marine President and CEO Ulrich Gottschling.
“It is with great pride and commitment that we continue building boats that our
military can rely upon.”
