USCG Defender class boat
Defender-class boat
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Defender class |
| Builders: | SAFE Boats International |
| Operators: | |
| Subclasses: |
Defender "A" Class Defender "B" Class Defender "C" Class |
| In service: | 2002–Present |
| Completed: | 800 |
| Active: | 800 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 2.7 ton |
| Length: |
8.9 m (29 ft 2 in) (A Class) 9 m (29 ft 6 in) (B Class) |
| Beam: | 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) |
| Draught: | 0.98 m (3 ft 3 in) |
| Propulsion: | 2 × Honda 4-stroke outboard engines, 225 hp (168 kW) each |
| Speed: | |
| Range: |
175 nmi (324 km) (A Class) 150 nmi (280 km) (B Class) |
| Complement: | 4 crew, 6 passengers |
| Armament: |
1-2 × M240B (A and B Class) 1 × M2HB, 2 × M240B (C Class) |
Defender "A" Class Defender "B" Class
8.9 m (29 ft 2 in) (A Class)
175 nmi (324 km) (A Class)
1-2 × M240B (A and B Class)
The Defender-class boat, also called Response Boat – Small (RB-S) and Response Boat – Homeland Security (RB-HS), is a standard boat introduced by the United States Coast Guard in 2002. The boats serve a variety of missions, including search and rescue, port security and law enforcement duties and replaces a variety of smaller non-standard boats.
The design length of the hull is 25 feet and the boat is officially referred to as such. However, the overall length with engines mounted is approximately 29 feet (8.8 m). Powered by twin 225 hp (168 kW) outboard motors, they are capable of speeds in excess of 46 knots (85 km/h) and have a range of 150 to 175 nautical miles (324 km), depending on the class. The boat requires a minimum crew of two persons, but has a carrying capacity for 10 persons. The boat is easily trailerable and can be transported by a C-130 Hercules aircraft or truck.
Although similar in appearance to a rigid-hulled inflatable boat, the Defender is actually an aluminum-hulled vessel, equipped with a rigid foam-filled flotation collar. The first generation of boats were built by SAFE Boats International (Secure All-around Flotation Equipped) of Bremerton, Washington, a vendor of government and law enforcement boats. The replacement second generation was ordered in 2011 from Metal Shark Boats.
The Defender class utilizes a rigid deep-V hull constructed of marine grade aluminum. While similar in appearance to the sponson of a rigid-hulled inflatable boat the Defender's collar is actually made from rigid polyethylene foam. The boat is powered by two 225 horsepower (168 kW) outboard engines, usually Honda four-strokes though Mercury and Johnson engines have also been used. Tow bitts are fitted forward and aft which also serve as mounting points for M240B or M60 machine guns.
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Wikipedia