DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: U.S. DoD Awarded Contract To Safe Boats International, To Construct Four MK VI Patrol Boats For U.S. Navy
Source: K. V. Seth DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-125-14 July 2, 2014(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 2, 2014: Safe Boats International, LLC*, Bremerton, Washington, is being awarded a $34,518,536 firm-fixed-price contract for the construction of four MK VI Patrol Boats.
This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the total cumulative value of this contract to $52,295,843. Work will be performed in Tacoma, Washington (82 percent); Kent, Washington (7 percent); Wichita, Kansas (6 percent); New Zealand (3 percent); and in Canada and Berwick, Louisiana (less than 2 percent), and is expected to be completed by March 2018.
Fiscal 2013 and 2014 National Guard and Reserve Component equipment account funds in the amount of $34,518,536 will be obligated at the time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Under FAR Part 8.405-6 (a)(1)(i)(C) the new work is a logical follow on to an original Federal Supply Schedule delivery order, number N00024-l2-F-2223. The original order was placed competitively in accordance with the applicable Federal Supply Schedule ordering procedures.
The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-14-C-2230).
US Navy MK VI Patrol Boat
The MK VI Patrol Boat is the Navy’s next generation patrol boat and will serve as part of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), which serves as the single functional command for the Navy’s expeditionary forces and as central management for the readiness, resources, manning, training and equipping of those forces. The MK VI Patrol Boat is the U.S. Navy’s first true patrol boat developed since the 1980’s.
The primary mission of these craft is to persistently patrol shallow littoral areas beyond sheltered harbors and bays for the purpose of force protection of friendly and coalition forces and critical infrastructure.
MK VI Patrol Boats can be configured in multiple ways in order to be transported inside the well deck of LHD, LPD, and LSD class amphibious warfare ships.
SAFE Boats International (SBI) was awarded a contract to provide the Navy with five MK VI Patrol Boats on May 14, 2012. The 85-foot craft has a hull optimized for performance, fuel economy, and firepower. The MK VI PB is configured with both a pilothouse and a main deck cabin for a sizeable crew. The boats can reach speeds in excess of 30 knots at full load and can be armed with a variety of crew and remotely operated weapon systems up to 25mm. The boat has a range in excess of 600 nautical miles and is equipped with a propulsion system consisting of twin diesel engines and waterjets.
The primary mission of the Mark V is medium range insertion and extraction platform for Special Operations Forces (primarily SEAL combat swimmers) in a low to medium threat environment. The secondary mission is limited Coastal Patrol and Interdiction, specifically limited duration patrol and low to medium threat coastal interdiction. The typical Mark V SOC mission duration is 12 hours.
For example in 2003, in one of the first actions of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Mark V SOCs operating out of Kuwait disembarked at least two platoons of Navy SEALs to capture Iraqi offshore oil terminals
The Mark V has the capacity to carry sixteen fully equipped SEALs to missions 500 miles (800 km) away from where they are based. They ride on seats that are designed for maximum comfort and shock mitigation in high seas or heavy maneuvering, and allows occupants to either stand or sit. With a beam of 17½ feet, the craft has enough room to carry four CRRCs with six outboard motors (2 spares) and fuel, to deploy forces from a clandestine distance. The ramp on the stern allows SEAL teams to ride their CRRC's right up the stern of the boat, for fast extraction and insertion.
To support the SOF missions in the medium to low threat environment, the Mk Vs are outfitted with five gun mounts for small caliber weapons supporting any combination of: M-2 .50cal heavy machine guns, M240 or the M60 7.62 mm machine guns or Mk19 40 mm automatic grenade launchers. Together these provide 360 degrees of firing coverage. To defend against aircraft, the craft has a station for firing the Stinger Man-portable Air Defense System (MANPADS). Later improvements include mounting stations for GAU-17 Miniguns, MK 95 Twin 50 cal machine gun, MK 38 chain gun and Mk48 25 mm guns. Personal small arms of the crew and passengers can also be used to defend the craft.
The Mark V has many special features, besides its weapons, that make it more survivable while delivering sailors to their missions. Its angular design and low silhouette reduces its radar signature making it harder to spot and detect. Its V-hull design gives it good handling qualities in rough water as well as speed and shallow draft (four feet when cruising on-step). Its twin MTU 12-cylinder TE94 Diesel engines give it power and reliability and, coupled with the two K50S water jets, provides fast acceleration for operations near shore or in shallow waters as well as cutting down on the rooster tail effect that can make fast boats easier to see and track.
*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth DTN News + U.S. DoD issued No. CR-125-14 July 2, 2014
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