The United States Navy

Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats

Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat Description: High-speed, high-buoyancy, extreme-weather craft with the primary mission of SEAL insertion/extraction.

Features: The 11-meter-long Naval Special Warfare Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) are constructed of composites with an inflatable tube gunwale made of reinforced fabric. They can operate in heavy seas and winds of 45 knots, but for other than heavy-weather training, the Navy limits its use to somewhat milder sea conditions (wind speed is less than 34 knots). The RHIB carries a crew of three and a SEAL element.

Point of Contact:
Public Affairs Office
Naval Sea Systems Command (OOD)
Washington, D.C. 20362

General Characteristics, 11 meter Naval Special Warfare RIB

Engine: Dual Caterpillar 3126 DITA, 6 in-line cylinder diesel, turbocharged, aftercooled.
Length: 35 feet 11 inches (11 meters) (Overall, inflated tube)
Beam: 10 feet 7 inches (3.2 meters) (sponson inflated); 8 feet 9 inches (2.6 meters) (deflated)
Weight: 17,400 lbs, (7,892 kilograms)
Draft: 2 feet 11 inches (0.9 meters)
Speed: 40+ knots (nautical miles per hour) (64 kilometers/hour)
Crew: 3 and a SEAL squad
Range: 200 nautical miles (370 kilometers)
Armament: M60 7.62mm machine gun, MK19 40mm, M2 .50 cal. machine gun

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