TEXTRON Marine & Land Wins $26.6 Million USCG Contract

With options, contract could total 140 boats, $165 million Textron was awarded the initial contract for the construction of twenty 47-ft. (14.3-m) Motor Lifeboats (MLB) for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). The contract is valued at $26.6 million and includes associated training, spares and other incidentals. The new MLB significantly enhances the USCG's ability to perform search and rescue operations in heavy weather.

"This is a great victory for Textron Marine & Land Systems, our employees, and our community," said J o h n J. Kelly, president of Textron. "We are proud to be able to produce this technical innovation with its significant humanitar- ian implications for marine safety at sea. Further, there is a strong international interest in this unique design." Textron Marine & Land Systems designed and manufactured the prototype 47-ft. MLB in 1990 and later won a contract for the five pre-production boats. During the pre-production phase of the program, the company made significant investments to develop innovative engineering solutions and initial manufacturing processes for the prototype and five pre-production craft.

The latest contract for the construction of the MLBs was won competitively under a full and open competition. Following construction of the initial 20 vessels, the USCG plans to exercise options for up to 120 additional craft. The contract value, will all options, is approximately $165 million.

Packed with technological advances The 47-ft. MLB design incorporates many technological innovations. It features a lightweight, rugged aluminum hull designed to withstand 20-ft. (6.1-m) breaking waves at three times the force of gravity. The vessel is fast — sporting a top speed of 25 knots — which provides for faster response times in life-threatening situations. The MLB also has a self-righting capability which enables it to pitch-pole or role into swells and self-right in less than 30 seconds. The crew can operate from an open bridge or an enclosed bridge in heavy weather, for added safety and better visibility. Headquartered in New Orleans, Textron Marine & Land Systems will do all of the manufacturing work at its facility in New Orleans East. Work is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 1995, and delivery of the first craft should commence in late 1996.

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