US plans five-year EOD boat programme
The US Navy's explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and salvage diving specialists are poised to acquire up to 80 new 9m rigid-hull inflatable boats over the next five years.
The Multi-use EOD Response Craft (MERC) will be fielded in three variants: with an enclosed cabin, an open centre console (OCC), and an open design for use by the Naval Oceanography Mine Warfare Center (NOMWC).
With a service life of up to 15 years, the MERC will replace ageing boats (pictured above) used by Navy Expeditionary Combat Command's EOD teams and Mobile Diving and Salvage Units. Likely tasks include casualty evacuation and
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 2 free stories per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Naval Warfare
-
![SEA to trial sonar software for UK Royal Navy]()
SEA to trial sonar software for UK Royal Navy
The UK Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare Spearhead programme, run by the service’s Develop Directorate, has been investigating future and existing technologies with a particular focus on the USV arena.
-
![Australia’s new frigate options: No easy choices as pressure mounts on DoD]()
Australia’s new frigate options: No easy choices as pressure mounts on DoD
A new class of General Purpose ‘Tier 2’ frigate will replace the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) Anzac-class frigates, but the selected design options appear to have major issues in terms of compatibility and availability for the future fleet.
-
![Royal Navy to receive DragonFire laser system]()
Royal Navy to receive DragonFire laser system
The UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) made the decision to accelerate the laser programme from the demonstrational stage to an operational laser weapon.
-
![Royal Navy’s new Dreadnought SSBNs to be equipped with OSI’s ECPINS]()
Royal Navy’s new Dreadnought SSBNs to be equipped with OSI’s ECPINS
The contracts between OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) and BAE Systems Submarines will encompass continued support for the Astute-class nuclear-powered submarines (SSN) and the future Dreadnought-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBN).
