Large vessel that can carry 82-ton tanks, military vehicles unveiled for US Army

An Oregon-based company has unveiled a powerful support vessel to help modernize the U.S. Army’s watercraft fleet. Called USAV Craney Island, the vessel is designed to improve payload capacity, maneuverability, speed and operation flexibility. Developed by Vigor Marine Group, the boat offers vastly superior technology to the current class. Important milestone with the unveiling of Craney Island “We are proud to reach this important milestone with the unveiling of Craney Island,” said Francesco Valente, CEO of Vigor Marine Group. “This is a critical milestone for both the U.S. Army and for our skilled Vigor Marine Fabrication workforce in Vancouver, where this journey began years ago. Today reflects the dedication of our employees, suppliers and Army partners who have worked together to refine this next-generation vessel. Our goal is to support our customer’s mission by completing quality work safely, and today we celebrate achieving that on behalf of the U.S. Army.”The unveiling of Craney Island also highlights Vigor Marine Fabrication’s unique capability to design and construct aluminum vessels, particularly for national security capabilities. The Vancouver facility is currently in full-rate production of the MSV(L) hulls, while continuing fabrication of Combatant Craft Medium (CCM), of which it has produced more than more than 30, according to a press release.The company also revealed that more than 300 skilled workers at Vigor Marine Fabrication’s Vancouver facility contributed to the Craney Island alongside more than 40 Washington state-based companies, as well as suppliers and partners across the Pacific Northwest and the United States. The vessel has drawn upon the expertise of highly skilled aluminum welders, electricians, mechanics, and other specialized trades, and supported significant growth in family wage jobs in Vancouver. Reports have revealed that the MSV(L) can carry 82 tons at 21 knots. The vessel is designed to carry main battle tanks, and armored vehicles. The vessel has the ability to carry modern equipment into diverse littoral settings, up to and including a main battle tank. It offers greater maneuver options in anti-access, area-denial environments. The vessel also offers superior seakeeping and survivability and no height constraints on payload. The company also claims that the vessel’s exceptional seakeeping characteristics enhance crew comfort and reduce strain on payload. Its innovative tribow monohull form maximizes seakeeping, and provides speeds in excess of 20 knots fully laden, according to Vigor Marine Group. The company previously revealed that the design for the MSV(L) was developed in partnership with BMT following a detailed study of the Army’s unique needs and the available design options fulfill those needs. It dramatically improves the current LCM-8 and provides the optimal combination of performance, operational flexibility and life-cycle cost while maintaining the reliability and versatility of the Army’s current craft. The landing craft’s tribow monohull is an innovative yet deceptively simple design that provides superior maneuverability and stability in high sea states, through the littorals and within inland waterways in support of land-based operations, according to Vigor Marine Group.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Prabhat, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, is a tech and defense journalist. While he enjoys writing on modern weapons and emerging tech, he has also reported on global politics and business. He has been previously associated with well-known media houses, including the International Business Times (Singapore Edition) and ANI.