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Sea-Air-Space
2015 - MK VI Patrol Boat |
US
Navy's Brand New MK VI Patrol Boat One of the Main Attractions of Sea
Air Space 2015 |
US Navy Expeditionary Combat Command was showcasing its brand new MK
VI Patrol Boat (PB) during Sea-Air-Space 2015. Navy Recognition
discussed with Commander Pete Berning, U.S. Navy Coastal Riverine Force,
(whom
we already met last year). The MK VI is a next generation PB
and the latest addition to the US Navy fleet. |
 The
U.S. Navy MK VI Patrol Boat at Sea Air Space 2015 |
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The
85 foot combatant craft’s hull is optimized for performance, fuel
economy and firepower. The MK VI PB is configured with both an ergonomically
designed pilothouse seating 5 operators: The Engineer (taking care of
the engines and Mk 38 turret), the Navigator, the coxswain, the communication
engineer and the boat Captain. The main deck cabin is reconfigurable and
modular with 13 Shoxs seats and a medical station in case of injury. Below
it are the galley which serves as kitchen and mission planning area, berthing
(6 racks) with shower and engine room. All compartments are armored. |
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A Mk 38 Mod 2 Machine Gun System by BAE Systems is fitted at the bow of
the MK VI Patrol Boat |
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The
PB crew present at Sea Air Space 2015 told Navy Recognition that the cruising
speed is 30 knots and the maximum speed is 40+ knots. The vessel can be
armed with a variety of crew served and remotely operated weapon systems
such as M240s, Mk 44 and GAU 17. The PB present at SAS 2015 was fitted
with a single Mk 38 Mod 2 Machine Gun System by BAE Systems. A second
similar mount can be fitted at the stern. It was also fitted with two
Protector RWS by Kongsberg. An Aerovironment PUMA UAV was also showcased
on board. As far as sensor suite is concerned it is fitted with tactical VHF, HF, UHF; SATCOM; Seaflir EO/IR, DGPS: Blue Force Tracker; Unmanned Vehicle C2; Integrated Marine Radar The MK VI PB has a range of 600 nautical miles and is fitted with two MTU 16V2000 M94 engines and two Hamilton HM651 waterjets. The MK VI PB can be deployed from US Navy LPD 17 and LHDs: To do so, it is fitted with two kick stands at the stern to stabilize it in the well deck. Also fitted at the stern is rail system that will be used in the future to deploy Mk 18 mod 2 UUVs. |
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An Aerovironment PUMA UAV was also showcased on board the MK VI during
Sea Air Space 2015 |
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SAFE
Boats International in Tacoma, Washington state was awarded a contract
to provide the US Navy with 6 MK VI PBs in May 2012 with an another contract
for 4 more boats awarded in July last year. These new PBs are expected to start regular deployments in early 2016. A Command Boat (CB) variant is already forward deployed on theatre in Bahrain. |
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Commander Pete Berning,US Navy Coastal Riverine Force , on board the MK
VI Patrol Boatduring Sea Air Space 2015 |
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Talking
to Navy Recognition, Commander Pete Berning, U.S. Navy Coastal
Riverine Force, said “The MK VI Patrol Boat brings mission flexibility
and modularity. The boat will be in service for 20 years: It has been
built with significant growth potential to accommodate future needs.” The main mission of the MK VI PB is to provide capability 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; Includes Security Force Assistance (SFA); High Value Unit (HVU) Shipping Escort; Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) Operations; and Theater Security Cooperation (TSC). The MK VI could also be used to deploy US Navy Seals even though this is not its primary mission. |
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