Metal Shark boats of Louisiana is to construction and delivery as many as 40 patrol boats for the U.S. Navy under a contract with a potential value of $18 million, according to a 27 July statement by the US Department of Defense (DoD).
The U.S. Navy has selected Gravois Aluminum Boats LLC, doing business as Metal Shark, to build as many as 40 patrol boats to operate in coastal and nearshore environments in rough conditions.
The delivery order will also provide basic boat equipment, shipping, long term preservation, boat familiarization, and crew original equipment manufacturer and waterjet training. Work will be performed in Jeanerette, Louisiana, and is expected to be completed by April 2021.
According to the company, in 2013, Metal Shark was awarded a contract to produce up to 80 Force Protection Boat – Medium (FPB-M) patrol boats for the United States Navy and in 2017 at almost 50 PB(X) patrol boats.
The U.S. Navy intends to replace about 100 to 160 of its existing 25-foot and 34-foot CRF patrol boats over the next 15 years.
Metal Shark is a leading supplier of military vessel fleets to the United States Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, Army, and the militaries of partner nations worldwide. Metal Shark continues to win historically large defense contracts by using its formidable engineering power to solve complex design challenges and meet highly technical requirements.