US boatbuilders to design new river combat craft

Northrop Grumman Corporation and Aluminum Chambered Boats, Inc. (ACB), both in the US, have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore future combat system requirements and capabilities for the U.S. Navy’s anticipated Riverine/Coastal Warfare program. The companies have also agreed to design and build a riverine craft technology demonstrator that will integrate Northrop Grumman’s leading-edge navigation, surveillance, network and command and control systems onboard an innovative, ACB-designed riverine-class hull form.

Aluminum Chambered Boats will design an industry-unique, riverine craft technology demonstrator that will be highly manoeuvrable, fast and stable. Northrop Grumman will outfit the platform with weapon and sensor systems, all of which will be integrated with onboard and off-board systems-of-systems and command and control architecture. Sailors and Marines in the expeditionary force will use the demonstrator to explore concepts of operation for coastal and inland waterway operations.

The team also plans to pursue an emerging global market that is seeking similar capabilities.

Aluminum Chambered Boats provide rugged state-of-the-art aluminium boats to Government, Recreational and Commercial customers on a global basis. ACB was selected as the fleet replacement for the U.S. Marines Corps Bridge Erection Boat.