The Coast Guard last week issued a solicitation for next small boat, the long-range interceptor III (LRI III) that deploys with the service’s national security cutter (NSC) fleet to extend their range by providing over-the-horizon capability for various missions and giving the high-endurance cutters operational flexibility.
The request for proposals (RFP) comes more than a year after the Coast Guard accepted delivery of its 12th and final 35-foot LRI II from boat builder MetalCraft Marine. The first LRI II was delivered in 2013.
The LRI III will be able to perform multiple missions, such as search and rescue, drug and migrant interdiction, defense readiness, and other law enforcement operations, and will operate on the high seas in the coast zone of the U.S. and its territories, including inshore and inland waterways.
The small boats will be able to speed up to 38 knots in sea state one and 25 knots in mid-sea state three, which are three-foot waves, carry a crew of up to five plus 10 passengers and travel up to 150 nautical miles. Requirements also include being able to operate at sea state five, which is 13.1-foot waves, and launch and recover in those conditions as well.
The Coast Guard requires that the LRI III hulls have a minimum service life of 10 years.
The procurement will be a small business set aside. Bids are due by Nov. 1.