Furuno
provided the model 841 radar with an RSB-0071-058 antenna and the
model 1600 F GPS sounder/plotter. Communications include a HF/VHF/UHF/SATCOM
Tactical Radio System and an ICOM M-127 marine VHF.
The boats are operated and maintained by SWCC in the Navy's Special
Boat Squadrons(SBS) on the East and West coasts. SBS One is at the
Naval Amphibious Base, Coronado, Calif., and SBS Two is at Navel
Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Va. Both are under the leadership
of the NSW Command. in Coronado. NSW Group One and NSW Group Two
are co-located with the SBSs. The boats are deployed from their
home bases by ship or air and can be trailered.
On a mission, the NSW RIB is operated by three SWCC. Individually,
SWCC and SEALs go through separate, but similar, specialized training
that focuses on special operations in the maritime environment.
There are approximately 600 SWCC in the Navy. The boats can also
be armed. They have two mounts, fore and aft, capable of holding
various machine guns and grenade launchers.
The NSW RIB Integrated Product Team has been getting attention for
more than just the speed of the boats. It was recently awarded the
David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award from the Defense Department.
"It's all part of the Navy buying better, smarter and faster
to save the taxpayer money," said Karl La Bauve, the team's
on-site industrial specialist for the Special Operations Command
at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa. The Israelis have also been
paying attention. They recently purchased four NSW RIBs for themselves. |
