BVT cuts a dash

Friday, 11 September, 2009

BVT Surface Fleet’s Halmatic small boats arm is making waves at DSEi with the head-turning display performed by its latest Pacific 950 (P950) rigid hull inflatable craft. Already trialled by the UK Royal Marines, the 9.5m P950 is aimed at high-end military users, such as elite and Special Forces units.

It has been engineered to accommodate heavier payloads, provide more usable deck space and improve seakeeping in higher sea states.

Evolved from Halmatic’s existing Arctic 28 RIB, used by the Royal Marines as a boarding vessel, the development of the diesel-powered P950 reflects the UK’s desire to move away from petrol-driven craft in favour of an all-diesel small boat fleet. At the same time, BVT has been anxious to avoid any compromise in operational performance.

To achieve these aims, the P950 combines a lightweight composite structure, a new sea-kind deep-V hull form (optimised for heavy payloads) and two supercharged inboard diesels with twin propeller stern drives. This results in a craft able to carry a full payload at high speed, but also capable of very rapid and responsive acceleration for boarding-type operations.

Powered by two supercharged 375hp Volvo Penta D6 inboard diesel engines, the P950 is capable of achieving a maximum speed of 45kt with a two-tonne payload, accelerating from 0 to 30kt in 10 seconds. With a maximum three-tonne payload, the P950 can still make 42kt in calm conditions, and has demonstrated a speed of 35kt in Sea State 4.

An innovative deck track system fitted to the aft, engine and forward decks provides a fixing mechanism for seats or equipment racks. Two weapon mounting points will accept 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine guns or 40mm grenade launchers.

Sea trials have been undertaken at Poole, where 1 Assault Group Royal Marines and the Special Boat Service are based, and further testing is planned. France is among overseas countries to have expressed interest in the design.