According to Naval News, the U.S. Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) to learn more about any possible replacement to the Mark VI Patrol Boats that are slated for divestment and early retirement due to the Mark VIs’ very expensive maintenance costs.
NAVSEA has replied to Naval News, showcasing their new 40-foot Patrol Boat, commonly named 40PB, that is not a replacement for the Mark VI. Despite that, the 40PB is indeed new and one of the latest small boats to join the U.S. Navy’s fleet.
NAVSEA focused specifically on a welded all-aluminium 40-foot Defiant-class Patrol Boat, called the PB(X).
“Metal Shark’s 40 [foot] Defiant is a revolutionary new monohull patrol boat platform designed to meet the military needs of tomorrow in a quickly changing world. Developed as the replacement for up to 160 patrol vessels deployed worldwide with the U.S. Navy’s Expeditionary Combat Command’s Coastal Riverine Forces, Metal Shark’s design was selected by the US Navy from a field of seven competing shipbuilders. Designed to address the vulnerabilities of traditional patrol boats while expanding the mission role of the platform over its predecessor, the 40 Defiant delivers substantial increases in capabilities and firepower.
As configured for the US Navy, the vessel features six MK 16 weapons foundations plus a large forward foundation for stabilized, remote operated, optically guided MK 49 / MK 50 weapons systems.
“The 40 Defiant employs a mission-optimized hull form designed to achieve 40-knot sprint speeds while displaying superb dynamic stability across the full range of operating environments. The vessel also exhibits enhanced handling and delivers greatly reduced operating cost at the 10-15 knot escort speeds typical of force protection missions. As configured for the Navy, the 40 Defiant is powered by twin Cummins QSB 6.7 diesel inboards, coupled via Twin Disc MG5065SC marine transmissions to Hamilton HTX30 water jets developed specifically for the Navy 40 PB program.
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