US Navy Transitions to New Patrol Boat

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The United States Navy has recently acquired a new next-generation patrol boat. The 40 Defiant patrol boat platform has been chosen by the United States Navy and is set to begin full-rate production.

Designed and built by Metal Shark, the 40 Defiant patrol boat is expected to finish of a set of operational tests and evaluations. The 40 foot long vessel is intended to replace up to 160 United States Navy patrol boats all around the world. 

The U.S. Navy first selected the patrol boat design back in 2017. The company has developed two vessels for testing, according to Naval-technology.com. 

Now the company intends to deliver one boat to the U.S. Navy every month. The work on the vessels will be done at Metal Shark’s manufacturing site in Louisiana.

Compared to other boats, the 40 Defiant provides superior firepower, defense, and situational awareness. The boat’s platform provides foundations for MK 16 weapons and remotely operated MK49 and MK50 weapon systems. 

The vessel is also fitted with ballistic protection systems in order to provide the crew with protection in a firefight. The armored pilothouse can accommodate a crew of five and grant them protection against firearms. Furthermore, the ship’s systems allows the crew the possibility to respond to swarm attacks.

The patrol boat will incorporate an advanced communications and sensor suite that will provide the crew with superior situational awareness and increased connectivity with the rest of the fleet.

“The need for more advanced and capable vessels designed to discourage asymmetric threats… has led to the development of this radically different patrol boat platform,” said Chris Allard, Metal Shark’s CEO. “This vessel is driving the evolution of our entire military patrol boat lineup and offers a glimpse into the future direction of military patrol.