Photo credit: Bill Sutton
Kvichak Marine Industries completed the construction and delivery of 10 each MPF utility boats for the United States Navy. The 40-ft. high-speed landing craft replace the Navy’s existing LCM-8 craft as part of the Improved Navy Lighterage System in support of pre-positioned Marine Amphibious assault missions.
The 40 x 14 ft. landing craft have a loaded cruise speed of ~25 knots and a lightened flank speed of ~40 knots. The propulsion package includes: twin Cummins QSM11 engines rated for 660hp at 2300 rpm, ZF 325 marine gears, and Hamilton 364 water jets.
To ensure the safety and efficiency of transporting 30 troops, their gear and / or general cargo the craft utilizes a house aft configuration and an articulated bow door for beach deployment.
The first craft was delivered in February 2006 and successive craft departed Kvichak’s facility on a staggered delivery schedule. The Navy’s San Diego, CA facility received two MPF utility boats and two are stationed in Norfolk, VA. The deployment of the remaining six craft is aboard pre-positioned MSC ships.