First impression is for better seakeeping. The CB90/stridbat was originally designed for sharp and fast maneuvering in Scandinavian Fjords and inlets. This looks like a mod for better open ocean/surf stability. Does kinda defeat its purpose though.
According to their website, it is part additional stability, part ballistic protection...but this collar is quite different from the other collars they use. http://www.safeboats.com/default/boats_collar.php
NB: it may just be on the RCB-X but not on the other RCBs (for safety in testing?).
This is NOT the RCB-X. That boat was built by Dockstavarvet for the Navy's NECC. After optesting, the Navy ordered six boats based on same design, but modified from SafeBoats. The USN boats are longer and have a different RWS. SafeBoats orginal boat had their distinctive foam collars (like hundreds they have delivered to DOD and USCG etc). I am told the collars are not on the last four.
IF you goto the Warboats.org forum there is a thread which explains all this and provides photos of new RCB at Little Creek. RivRon 4 will be operating those.
The RCB-X is now used for other testing to include most recently environmentally friendly fuel
I forgot to answer the first question. Collars (air or foam filled) provide additional bouyancy to Rigid Hull Boats which usually have shallow draft and low freeboard. The collars provide lift while turning and reserve bouyancy if the hull is breached. The common term RHIB is main times inaccurate since most modern military boats like the SafeBoats have foam filled tubes. The other common misconception is that many RHBs are plastic, many now are built out of aluminimum like the SURC, RCB, RPB, RAB and a few Navy RHBs. Most Navy RHBs are plastic or composite a generalization.
First impression is for better seakeeping. The CB90/stridbat was originally designed for sharp and fast maneuvering in Scandinavian Fjords and inlets. This looks like a mod for better open ocean/surf stability. Does kinda defeat its purpose though.
ReplyDeletei was hoping that someone was going to tell me they were for extra fuel...i can't find on thing on safeboats website...
ReplyDeleteThey're a safeboats specialty/add-on, IIRC.
ReplyDeleteAccording to their website, it is part additional stability, part ballistic protection...but this collar is quite different from the other collars they use.
http://www.safeboats.com/default/boats_collar.php
NB: it may just be on the RCB-X but not on the other RCBs (for safety in testing?).
This is NOT the RCB-X. That boat was built by Dockstavarvet for the Navy's NECC. After optesting, the Navy ordered six boats based on same design, but modified from SafeBoats. The USN boats are longer and have a different RWS. SafeBoats orginal boat had their distinctive foam collars (like hundreds they have delivered to DOD and USCG etc). I am told the collars are not on the last four.
ReplyDeleteIF you goto the Warboats.org forum there is a thread which explains all this and provides photos of new RCB at Little Creek. RivRon 4 will be operating those.
The RCB-X is now used for other testing to include most recently environmentally friendly fuel
For reasons I cannot explain NECC's website has very little info about the Riverines. I will send along the one pdf available.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to answer the first question. Collars (air or foam filled) provide additional bouyancy to Rigid Hull Boats which usually have shallow draft and low freeboard. The collars provide lift while turning and reserve bouyancy if the hull is breached.
ReplyDeleteThe common term RHIB is main times inaccurate since most modern military boats like the SafeBoats have foam filled tubes.
The other common misconception is that many RHBs are plastic, many now are built out of aluminimum like the SURC, RCB, RPB, RAB and a few Navy RHBs. Most Navy RHBs are plastic or composite a generalization.