Willard RHIB design a guideline for US Navy

The United States Navy and Willard Marine have executed a licensing agreement for a Willard Marine boat design to serve as the guideline for the Navy’s new 11-metre rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) government design.

The licensing agreement allows the US Navy to use Willard’s Sea Force 1100, US Navy-model RHIB design to create an new Navy 11-metre RHIB.

The RHIBs will be used in American fleets around the world, and it enables select international militaries to purchase the vessels through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs.  

The navy pursued the licensing agreement in an effort to maximise commonality between the old and new 11-metre RHIB platforms, and reduce the time and money spent on boat operations training, maintenance, repair and service.