U.S.A.
Everyone Else
Health
Science
Business
Technology
Sports
Video Games
Entertainment
Future
NEWS > U.S.A. > NEW BOAT DESIGNED TO GIVE SEALS LESS POUNDING
NEW BOAT DESIGNED TO GIVE SEALS LESS POUNDING
Feb 24 2008
San Diego, CA – Here at the Coronado Naval Base, the US Navy has unveiled their newest effort at making the hard life of a SEAL just a little easier.
Designed by Campbell Marine, a Jacksonville FL based manufacturer, and Ert Ergonomics, a Denver CO based seating company, put together the Urther Mark VII under contract to the Navy.
The Mark VII marks a significant leap over its predecessor, the Mark V (the Mark VI was abandoned after too many sinking’s). The hull of the 80 foot patrol boat is constructed from advanced polymers and composite materials, and is designed to absorb greater impact, which also serves to transmit lower levels of force to the occupants. With a streamlined body and three diesel engines, the Mark VII can reach speeds of up to 60 knots, while still comfortably seating 16 heavily armed SEALs.
Extensive research was done to ensure that even fully armed soldiers would be able to relax en route to missions. The seats are designed with the utmost in comfort in mind, using a combination of shock absorbers and specialized cushioning. Seatbelts, cup holders, and foot, arms, and head rests were all designed to fit all the gear a SEAL is expected to carry.
Each seat is equipped with separate lighting and HVAC systems, allowing for each SEAL to adjust to their own comfort level. Twelve inch LCD monitors have been installed in the backs of every seat with ten channels to choose. Headsets were designed specifically for use here, with an emergency interrupt in case of necessary ship communications.
“We believe this is the next step in soldier comfort and efficiency,” said Walter Higgim Jr, chief executive officer of Ert Ergonomics. “We believe this ship is the future of Naval transport, a ship for the future is you will.”
Still in prototype form, the Mark VII is still awaiting final approval from the naval upper brass before full scale production begins. So far, over $100 million USD has been put into the project, with each boat expected to run approximately $5 million USD each. Both companies are expecting a significant order from the Navy once the final specifications have been locked down.
Captain Jason Sanderson, head of the Navy’s special R&D, has nothing but enthusiastic reviews for the new vessel. “This truly is the future of naval combat. I believe we are setting a standard here that will be followed by the rest of the Navy and likely the entire US armed forces. There is no doubt that this gives us an advantage over the enemies of freedom and discomfort all over the world.” 
Rumours persist that this ship was designed in response to the still mysterious RD 457, a supposed fast and extremely comfortable troop transport ship designed for the Chinese Navy. General Sanderson denies any such connection, “I haven’t heard anything of the sort. All of our projects are developed internally and without regard to what the rest of the world is doing. We are not going to be caught up in a comfort race with other countries.”
Expected to begin production in 2010, the Urther Mark VII will likely be available in four colours to begin with. Camouflage, grey, sky blue, and cherry red.
Mike Michaels, American Correspondent
NEWS > U.S.A. > NEW BOAT DESIGNED TO GIVE SEALS LESS POUNDING
|
