Small unit riverine craft

Last updated
Riverine Squadron 2 Iraq 2007.jpg
U.S. Navy Riverine Squadron 2 patrols the waters above Haditha Dam, Anbar Province, Iraq, in a Small Unit Riverine Craft.
Class overview
NameSmall unit riverine craft (SURC)
Operators
General characteristics
TypeRiverine patrol boat
Displacement22,000 lb (10,000 kg) combat load
Length38 ft (12 m) (w/ transom platform)
Beam10 ft 2 in (3.10 m) (collars removable for C-130 transport)
Draft24 in (0.61 m) static
Propulsion
  • Twin Yanmar 6LY2A-STP diesel engines, 440 bhp (330 kW) at 3300 RPM;
  • Twin Hamilton waterjets HJ292
Speed35 knots (65 km/h) cruise, 39 knots (72 km/h) sprint
Range>250 nm
Complement16 troops
Crew2
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Ritchie magnetic compass
  • Integrated AN/PSN-11 GPS (PLGR)
  • Raymarine SL72 LCD radar
  • ST 60 depth sounder
  • Raymarine RAY53
  • VHF marine band radio
  • AN/VIC-3 internal stations
  • SINCGARS (VHF tactical) radio
Armament
NotesFuel: JP-5, JP-8, and marine diesel
U.S. Marines with Dam Security Unit, Bravo Company, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion near Haditha Dam in 2006. 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines - Haditha Dam.jpg
U.S. Marines with Dam Security Unit, Bravo Company, 4th Assault Amphibian Battalion near Haditha Dam in 2006.
U.S. Marines launch a SURC in Iraq US Marines launch SURC 2007.jpg
U.S. Marines launch a SURC in Iraq
Landing ashore US Navy 070910-N-6639M-043 Sailors assigned to Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 2 come ashore with two simulated detainees to be turned over to Mobile Security Squadron 3, Det. 33, during COMET 2007.jpg
Landing ashore

The small unit riverine craft (SURC) is a rigid-hull, armed and armored patrol boat used by the U.S. Marines and U.S. Navy to maintain control of rivers and inland waterways. They are similar in size and purpose to the much older Patrol Boat, River vessels used during the Vietnam War.

Contents

The boats are built by Raytheon Naval & Maritime Integrated Systems, with a contract to build up to 100 boats. Raytheon's contract partners are SAFE Boats International of Bremerton, Washington and Boat Master of Fort Myers, Florida.

History

The boats were first deployed to Iraq and were used there by the now deactivated U.S. Marine Corps' Small Craft Company, being later turned over to the United States Navy Riverine Squadrons – units of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) that used the boats to patrol strategic areas of Iraq.

On September 25, 2013, the United States transferred six SURCs to the Philippine Marine Corps to provide a platform for command and control, reconnaissance, logistic/resupply, medical evacuation, counter-drug operations, humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping and non-combatant evacuation operations & will be deployed to augment sea-based forces addressing terrorism and lawlessness. [2]

Design

According to the Navy, “The primary mission of the SURC is to provide tactical mobility and a limited weapons platform for the ground combat element of a Marine Air Ground Task Force in littoral and riverine environments.” [3] The boat's secondary mission includes “command and control, reconnaissance, logistic/resupply, medevac, counter-drug operations, humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping, and noncombatant evacuation operations.” [3]

The boat is transportable by C-130 Hercules aircraft and can be launched from its trailer at lakeside. It also has the capability to turn 180 degrees in less than three boat lengths and accelerate to 25 knots (46 km/h) in less than 15 seconds.

Occasionally, the boats would have been equipped with an overhead covering to provide shade for the troops on board.

Other characteristics

Hull:Aluminum with full length beaching plates
Collars:High strength solid cell foam collar provides stability, redundant buoyancy, and small-arms ballistic protection
Weight:17,500 lb (7,900 kg) craft and trailer

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commandos Marine</span> Special operations forces of the French Navy

The Commandos Marine, nicknamed Bérets Verts, are the special operation forces (SOF) of the French Navy, headquartered in Lorient, Brittany in western France. They operate under the Special Operations Command (COS), FORFUSCO, one of the four main forces of the French Navy or any operational command designated by the French Army staff. They specialize in offshore operations; operations from sea to land and special operations on land. One of the major characteristics of marine commando units is to be perfectly interoperable with all the resources and units of the navy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Naval Special Warfare Command</span> Naval component of United States Special Operations Command

The United States Naval Special Warfare Command (USNSWC), also known as NAVSPECWARCOM and WARCOM, is the naval component of United States Special Operations Command, the unified command that oversees and conducts the nation's special operations and missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mobile Riverine Force</span> US naval force in Vietnam

In the Vietnam War, the Mobile Riverine Force (MRF) (after May 1967), initially designated Mekong Delta Mobile Afloat Force, and later the Riverines, were a joint US Army and US Navy force that comprised a substantial part of the brown-water navy. It was modeled after lessons learned by the French experience in the First Indochina War of Dinassaut and had the task of both transport (of soldiers and equipment) and combat. The primary land base was at Đồng Tâm Base Camp, with a floating base which operated in the major rivers of the Mekong Delta. Soldiers and sailors went out in river boats from the floating base to assault the Viet Cong. During part of the 1968-69 period, there were two such mobile bases operating in different parts of the Delta, Mobile Riverine Groups Alpha and Bravo. The MRF played a key role in the Tet Offensive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brown-water navy</span> Naval force capable of operating in littoral waters

A brown-water navy or riverine navy, in the broadest sense, is a naval force capable of military operations in littoral zone waters. The term originated in the United States Navy during the American Civil War, when it referred to Union forces patrolling the muddy Mississippi River, and has since been used to describe the small gunboats and patrol boats commonly used in rivers, along with the larger "mother ships" that supported them. These mother ships include converted World War II-era mechanized landing craft and tank landing ships, among other vessels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippine Navy</span> Naval warfare branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines

The Philippine Navy (PN) is the naval warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It has an estimated strength of 24,500 active service personnel, including the 10,300-strong Philippine Marine Corps. It operates 90 combat vessels, 16 auxiliary vessels, 25 manned aircraft and 8 unmanned aerial vehicles. Tracing its roots from the Philippine Revolutionary Navy on May 20, 1898, while its modern foundations were created during the creation of the Offshore Patrol on February 9, 1939, the PN is currently responsible for naval warfare operations and maritime patrol missions within the Philippine Waters, as well as ensuring the protection of the Philippine's maritime interests, including the South China Sea and Benham Rise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Republic of Vietnam Navy</span> Former naval branch of the South Vietnamese military

The Republic of Vietnam Navy (RVNN; Vietnamese: Hải quân Việt Nam Cộng hòa - HQVNCH; was the naval branch of the South Vietnamese military, the official armed forces of the former Republic of Vietnam from 1955 to 1975. The early fleet consisted of boats from France; after 1955, and the transfer of the armed forces to Vietnamese control, the fleet was supplied from the United States. With American assistance, in 1972 the VNN became the largest Southeast Asian navy and, by some estimates, the fourth largest navy in the world, just behind the Soviet Union, the United States and the People's Republic of China, with 42,000 personnel, 672 amphibious ships and craft, 20 mine warfare vessels, 450 patrol craft, 56 service craft, and 242 junks. Other sources state that VNN was the ninth largest navy in the world. The Republic of Vietnam Navy was responsible for the protection of the country's national waters, islands, and interests of its maritime economy, as well as for the co-ordination of maritime police, customs service and the maritime border defence force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KOPASKA</span> Indonesian Navy special operations and demolition unit

The Kopaska is the premier frogman and underwater demolition unit of the Indonesian Navy. The unit's motto is Tan Hana Wighna Tan Sirna. The unit's main duties are underwater demolition, destroying main underwater installations, reconnaissance, prisoner snatches, preparing beaches for larger naval amphibious operations, and counter-terrorism. During peacetime, the unit also deploys a team to serve as security personnel for VIPs and VVIPs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">15th Marine Expeditionary Unit</span> Military unit

The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit is one of seven such units currently in existence in the United States Marine Corps. The Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) with a strength of about 2,200 personnel. The MEU consists of a command element, a reinforced infantry battalion, a composite helicopter squadron and a combat logistics battalion. The 15th MEU is currently based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special Missions Training Center</span> US military training facility on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

The Special Missions Training Center (SMTC), also known as Joint Maritime Training Center (JMTC), is a joint United States Coast Guard, Navy, and Marine Corps training facility located on Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Navy Expeditionary Combat Command</span> Echelon III command of the U.S. Navy

The Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) is an echelon III command of the United States Navy, which serves as the single functional command to centrally manage current and future readiness, resources, manning, training and equipping of the United States Navy's 21,000 expeditionary forces who are currently serving in every theater of operation. The NECC was established in January 2006. NECC is a subordinate command of the Navy's Fleet Forces Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special Boat Squadron (Sri Lanka)</span> Sri Lanka Navy special forces unit

The Special Boat Squadron is the Sri Lanka Navy's elite special forces unit, modeled after the British Special Boat Service. It was raised in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special warfare combatant-craft crewmen</span> Military unit

The Special Warfare Combat Crewmen (SWCC ) are United States Naval Special Warfare Command personnel who operate and maintain small craft for special operations missions, particularly those of U.S. Navy SEALs. Their rating is Special Warfare Boat Operator (SB).

The Riverine Squadrons of the United States Navy are elements of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). According to the Navy: “The Navy’s Riverine force focuses on conducting Maritime Security Operations and Theater Security Cooperation in a riverine area of operations or other suitable area. The force is capable of combating enemy riverine forces by direct fire, or by coordinating supporting fire. It will share battle space with the other Services in an effort to close the seams in Doctrine, Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures, and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance.”

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UNGERIN</span> Maritime special operations squad in the Royal Malaysia Police

The Marine Assault Team (MAST), formally known as the UNGERIN is a maritime counter terrorism and tactical unit of the Royal Malaysia Police's Marine Operations Force. Having become fully operational in 2007, the UNGERIN conducts anti-piracy and counter-terrorism operations in the coastal waters surrounding Malaysia and assists the marine police to respond swiftly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deployable Specialized Forces</span> Military unit

The Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF) —formerly Deployable Operations Group— are part of the United States Coast Guard that provide highly equipped, trained and organized deployable specialized forces, to the Coast Guard, United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Department of Defense (DoD) and inter-agency operational and tactical commanders. The command was formerly headquartered in Arlington, Virginia where it was established on 20 July 2007, and was commanded by a captain. It was decommissioned by the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Robert Papp on 1 October 2013, with units previously assigned to the DOG being split between Coast Guard Pacific and Atlantic Area commands. The units were subsequently reorganized under Deployable Specialized Forces (DSF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khmer National Navy</span> Navy of the Khmer Republic (1970-1975)

The Khmer National Navy was the naval component of the Khmer National Armed Forces (FANK), the official military of the Khmer Republic during the Cambodian Civil War between 1970 and 1975.

The Coastal Riverine Force (CORIVFOR) is a unit of the United States Navy within the organizational structure of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). The unit was established following the merger of Riverine Group 1 and the Maritime Expeditionary Security Group 1 & 2 on June 1, 2012. Its express purpose is to provide port and harbor security, and offshore protection for maritime infrastructure and Military Sealift Command ships operating in coastal waterways.

Mark VI patrol boat United States Navy ship class

The Mark VI is a class of patrol boat for the United States Navy, designed to patrol riverine and littoral waters. The first two Mark VI boats were delivered to Coastal Riverine Group TWO in September 2015. Two boats were forward deployed to Bahrain in April 2016, with Coastal Riverine Squadron TWO being the first to operate the craft in the Persian Gulf while assigned under Task Force 56. The Mark VI replaced the less capable Riverine Command Boats previously assigned to Task Force 56.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Special Operations Command</span> Unified combatant command of the United States Armed Forces responsible for special operations

The United States Special Operations Command is the unified combatant command charged with overseeing the various special operations component commands of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force of the United States Armed Forces. The command is part of the Department of Defense and is the only unified combatant command created by an Act of Congress. USSOCOM is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Small Craft Company</span>

Small Craft Company (SCCO) was a United States Marine Corps unit created in 1991 and deactivated in 2005.

References

  1. "US gives PH 6 patrol boats to fight Moro militants in Mindanao". Inquirer.net. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 26 September 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  2. LaGrone, Sam (26 September 2013). "U.S. Gives Philippine Marines Six Riverine Boats for Counter Terrorism Missions". USNI News. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  3. 1 2 Wavelengths Online. “Small Unit Riverine Craft”, May 17, 2004 Archived April 6, 2008, at the Wayback Machine