Armed Forces International News - July 2007
Royal Marines Stealth Boat Produced
Posted by Paul Fiddian on 02/07/2007 - 18:23:22
A new so-called 'Stealth Boat' is understood to have been developed for use in the war against terror. Designed for use by the Royal Marines, it is thought the boat, regarding which many details are yet to be classified, can attain speeds of around 70mph. Roles to be undertaken by the Stealth Boat would potentially include the insertion of troops into hostile areas, and the location of drug smugglers.
It is thought the boat is a product of the Portsmouth-based VT Halmatic firm, and that it will replace the current generation of boats in service with the SBS. Analysts have pointed out the likelihood of it incorporating the most up-to-date stealth technology within its design. Stealth itself, as employed in several prominent military aircraft in the last couple of decades, renders the subject harder to detect by enemy radar; its profile effectively minimised to the extreme.
Eyewitness accounts have indicated that the Stealth Boat is current engaged in testing off the Dorset Coast, where the SBS has a primary base. An unidentified source has offered a further description of this vessel, stating: "The thing certainly has a menacing style and is incredibly quick and quite quiet. I daresay it is extremely versatile and can be adapted so it can be employed in a number of roles. Apparently it is a replacement for two boats that are used by the SBS at the moment, but of course will have to undergo very tough trials."
"Other boats used by the special services have angled designs to help avoid detection by radar and they are coated in radar-absorbent materials. The hulls are designed to produce a small wake and with a top speed of anything up to 60 knots they are formidable craft - and this is the newest design. Nobody knows too much because there has been a lot of secrecy about them, but they are British built and have been spotted in Poole going very quickly."
Source - Armed Forces International Newsdesk
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