Vigor, the builder of the US Navy’s Combatant Craft Medium (CCM) and Combatant Craft Heavy (CCH) as well as the United States Coast Guard Response Boat – Medium (RB-M) will feature its new 21 meter patrol boat, the Vigor Fast Inceptor (VFI) at NAVDEX 2019.
Vigor Fast Interceptor (Picture source : Vigor)
VFI is the next evolution of a proven hull form based on thousands of hours of successful operation. Engineered for superior seakeeping in challenging environments, high speed interdiction, addressing swarm threats, UAV launch and retrievals, the craft delivers powerful multi-mission capabilities with sprint speed of 70 knots.
“The design of VFI is a response to the needs of governmental agencies around the world to achieve the critical missions facing today’s maritime security agencies,” said Bill Blount, Vigor International Business Development Manager. “Our teams have been perfecting performance for the applications and we’re excited to share the result at NAVDEX.” Vigor partnered with Michael Peters Yacht Design (MPYD), world renowned for its pioneering work in high-speed hull forms including offshore racing and patrol craft to deliver a high-performance patrol boat with unequaled control and maneuverability and specifically tailored to the unique environment of the Middle East. The company is already in discussion with multiple government organizations for orders of the VFI and will display a model of the vessel at NAVDEX.
The craft features a hybrid aluminum/composite design, multiple options for remote controlled weapons systems, crewed served weapons mounts and a FLIR night vision system. Suspension seats keep crew and passengers mission ready and drive-by-wire propulsion and steering controls deliver unequaled control and maneuverability.
Vigor’s international sales portfolio has been steadily growing in recent years, particularly in the Middle East. In 2016, Vigor delivered two 19m all-weather Pilot Boats for the Port of Duqm Company SAOC, Sultanate of Oman to support the Port’s major multiphase expansion. In addition, Vigor is now building two RB-M’s as part of a Foreign Military Sale to The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, six additional RB-M’s are on order for The Kingdom of Bahrain’s Coast Guard and the company is in talks with several additional Gulf nations for this proven vessel. The RB-M is widely considered the gold standard for Coast Guards and elite law enforcement agencies around the world.
