I found this on "Bayou Renaissance Man's" website (go there to read the rest and consider subscribing...its a mix of different things and I find it a great daily read).
But the applications that I find intriguing for the Marine Corps is that boats of this type should take weather out of the equation when it comes to landings. Anything short of hurricane swept seas should be doable, it self rights like a champ and can even beach itself if you're willing to either destroy it on the beach or recover it after landing of the main force.
The use of these boats by SOCOM is a given but if you gave some to the Small Boat Companies then they could gain a place of prominence in planning anything from raids to scouting ahead...they could even be useful in the current darling of planning---disaster relief!
These boats beach without any !!! damage on daily basis as they are designed to operate from dry shelter in harsh conditions and most RNLI crew members work part time and do not get paid so least they can count on is best gear possible, nothing is good enough or to expensive when it comes to RNLI boats.
ReplyDeleteWhat role would a heavy SAR boat serve the USMC? None.
ReplyDeleteThe Small Boat Company was disbanded about ten years ago. Back then they were quite happy with the SURC, a boat meant for beaching.
SOCOM has already issued contracts to two boatbuilders for their CCM. The rqmts for that boat are nothing like this boat.