Metal Shark Reveals Cutting-Edge Monohull Patrol Boat at Louisiana Shipyard
The Metai Shark’s 40-foot amphibious patrol boat is a revolutionary naval platform designed to address the evolving military needs in a rapidly changing world. Developed as a replacement for up to 160 patrol vessels deployed worldwide by Navy Expeditionary Combat Command’s Coastal Riverine Forces (CRF), the Metai Shark’s 40-foot design was chosen in late 2017 from a selection of competing shipbuilders. Presented here in the US Navy 40 PB configuration, the 40-foot boat is available for acquisition and can be customized by qualified operators to suit a wide range of mission profiles.
Designed to enhance the capabilities of traditional patrol boats while expanding the mission role of the platform beyond its predecessor, the 40-foot boat delivers substantial increases in capabilities and firepower. Metai Shark produced two 40-foot, welded-aluminum monohull patrol boats for testing and evaluation purposes, with Hull #001 first showcased at the 2018 International Workboat Show in New Orleans.
The 40-foot boat has been designed to offer a power projection capability far beyond that of a conventional force protection boat. As such, it boasts a superior array of capabilities. Ballistic protection enables the vessel to withstand extended firefights, allowing crews to respond with overwhelming force to asymmetric threats such as swarm attacks, while remaining secure and protected from hostile fire. The armored, climate-controlled pilot house can be configured with various shock-mitigating seating options. The boat enhances situational awareness and fleet connectivity through an advanced communications and sensor suite. These capabilities enable operators to expand their boat’s mission profile, operating in permissive environments during asset protection and port security missions, and making forays into hostile environments.
The 40-foot boat satisfies the visual-deterrent requirements of today’s naval forces, featuring a futuristic design characterized by a distinctive and menacing profile. Unlike other available welded-aluminum military patrol boat offerings, which are often hard to distinguish from commercial work boats or private recreational vessels, the 40-foot boat is immediately identifiable as a purpose-built military machine ready to respond with overwhelming force to any hostile threat. The boat’s capability and resilience are matched by its armament. Configured for the US Navy, it features six MK 16 weapon foundations, as well as a large forward foundation for stabilized, remote-operated, optically guided MK 49 / MK 50 weapons systems. Like all Metai Shark offerings, the 40-foot boat can be customized to suit operator requirements and can be configured to accommodate a wide range of available weapons systems.
The 40-foot boat employs a mission-optimized hull design intended to achieve speeds of up to 40 knots while maintaining superb dynamic stability across the full range of operating environments. The boat also exhibits enhanced handling and delivers greatly reduced operating costs at the 10-15 knot escort speeds typical of force protection missions. As configured for the Navy, the 40-foot boat 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. Metai Shark offers the 40-foot boat with a wide range of propulsion choices to suit various mission profiles. The 40-foot boat has been designed to meet the evolving requirements of modern naval engagement and is the result of an unprecedented investment in testing and development. Setting a new standard for military patrol boats, this futuristic military vessel delivers unmatched lethality, next-generation situational awareness, and greatly improved safety for fighting forces.
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