NEW ORLEANS, LA, May 5, 1998, United States Marine, Inc., (USMI) a leading manufacturer of specialty composite boats for the U.S. military, foreign military, and private industry, today announced that the Naval Special Warfare Rigid Inflatable Boat (NSW RIB) Program is the recipient of the 1998 David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award in the category of Test and Evaluation.

The David Packard Award was presented by the United States Secretary of Defense to USSOCOM personnel who serve on the NSW RIB Integrated Product Teams. The award was presented during the Department of Defense Acquisition Reform Week III Kick-Off Ceremony on May 4 at the Pentagon. The award was named in honor of the late David Packard, a former deputy secretary of defense during the Nixon administration. He was also the founder and chairman of Hewlett-Packard Company and the chairman of the Presidential Commission on Defense Management chartered by President Ronald Reagan in 1985.

As the prime industry contractor for this project, USMI sent several of its top executives to Washington DC to attend the award ceremony.

"It is an honor to share with the NSW RIB Program Office being chosen to receive the Packard Award" said Larry Ellis, President of United States Marine, Inc. "United States Marine Inc. has always worked hard to give the customer a superior product. It’s great to have government, civilian and private industry team members that share that commitment as well as a customer who appreciates it."

In early summer of 1997, USMI was awarded the contract to manufacture the Naval Special Warfare RIB by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The NSW RIB is a high speed, high buoyancy all weather boat specifically designed to transport a fully equipped team of eight Navy SEALs and three crew members on short-range insertion and extraction missions. At this point, United States Marine has delivered 10 NSW RIBs, with two more boats scheduled to go through final testing this week.

Within five years, 70 NSW RIBs are scheduled to replace four different boats currently used for short-range transport of SEALs and other Navy personnel.

The NSW RIB measures 36’ in length 10.6’ at the beam, with a fully loaded (18,166 pounds) draft of about 3’. The hull is a deep "V", composite fiberglass design constructed of vinylester resin reinforced with Kevlar aramid fibers. The rigid hull gains added buoyancy and fendering from an inflatable sponson manufactured by Demaree Inflatable Boats, Friendsville, MD.

By using two Caterpillar 3126 turbocharged (470 horsepower) diesel engines, coupled to Kamewa FF280 water jet drives, the NSW RIB achieves a cruising speed of 33 knots and a top speed greater than 45 knots. The boat’s navigation suite consists of a Furuno 841 Radar, a Furuno 1600 GPS/depth finder, and a Ritchie compass.

Located in New Orleans, LA, United States Marine, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of specialty and production composite boats for the US Military, foreign military, and for private industry. Established in 1971, United States Marine manufactures mid-size craft from 21’ RIBs to 90’ military patrol boats.

United States Marine Inc. specializes in custom mixed vinylester and epoxy resins used with Kevlar, carbon fiber, and other advanced composite materials. All construction is done to exacting standards using state-of-the-art tooling and production methods. With a staff of approximately 100 trained professionals, United States Marine Inc. is known for its prototype development of concept craft and its well developed teaming relationships it shares with other industry leaders. For more information about United States Marine Inc. and its products, please call (504)254-4444.