7meter RIB will be Used By the U.S. Navy to Expand Iraq Navy’s Patrol Range
January 23, 2012, Anaheim, CA: Willard Marine Inc. announced today that the company is currently under contract by the U.S. Navy to build an undisclosed number of the company's 7-meter aluminum hull Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) for the U.S. Navy FMS. Willard Marine has been a long time supplier to the U.S. Navy of the 7 meter RIB in various configurations and the boat is a proven veteran of countless operations. This particular group of RIBs is being built with 5086 aluminum hulls in our Virginia Beach facility. They will be outfitted with Yamaha's large 440HP engine with Hamilton Waterjets transferring the power to the water. Also each craft will be fully equipped with U.S. Navy specified array of radio and electronic gear. Constructed to be launched and retrieved from the stern ramps of larger patrol craft these boats will provide extended range and enhance the capabilities of the larger patrol boats.
These Willard Marine boats will serve to support U.S. Navy contracts that call for assistance in the build up of the Iraq Navy. With the current draw down of allied forces and eventual transfer of operations these special equipped 7-meter RIB patrol boats will fill a void in the current Iraq Navy's fleet. Willard Marine will be providing in-country training and support of these boats once delivered and handed over to the Iraq Navy.
Willard Marine, Inc. headquartered in Anaheim, California, established in 1957 is a leading builder of high quality boats. Willard Marine has manufacturing facilities in Anaheim, California and Virginia Beach, Virginia. These boats are specialty marketed to government, law enforcement and commercial customers throughout the world. Backed by state-of-the-art design, manufacturing and testing processes, Willard Marine, Inc. prides itself on building high performance composite and heavy duty alu- minum boats. Willard Marine is ISO9001 certified. Classified as "Small Business" by the United States Government, all products are included in the company's GSA contract, GS-07F-0123H.