Maritime Prepositioning Force Utility Boat

The Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) Utility Boat (MPFUB) is a commercially designed utility craft used primarily to move personnel and light equipment during MPF offload operations.[1] The 41 foot long, high-speed landing craft are replacing the Navy’s existing LCM-8 craft as part of the United States Navy's Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) in support of pre-positioned Marine Amphibious assault missions. Additional missions include supporting waterborne force protection, transportation of personnel and materials, medical evacuation, salvage, damage control, and repair operations.[2]

Side View of an MPFUB underway
Class overview
Name: MPF/UB-40
Builders: Kvichak Marine Industries
Operators: United States Navy
In service: 2006 to present
General characteristics
Type: Utility Boat
Displacement: 20 tons
Length: 41 ft 0 in (12.50 m)
Beam: 14 ft 0 in (4.3 m)
Installed power: 2 × Cummins QSM11 engines, 660 hp (492 kW)
Propulsion: 2 × Hamilton HJ 364 Waterjets
Speed:
  • 40 knots (74 km/h) light
  • 25 knots (46 km/h) loaded
Capacity: 10 tons
Troops: 30
Crew: 5
Armament: 3 × Crew Served Weapons
Aft view of an MPFUB underway

The MPFUB's power bow ramp facilitates embarking and discharging personnel over an INLS, low pier, or quay. Cargo capacity is ten tons, or up to 30 personnel with 150 lbs of equipment at speeds up to 25 knots fully loaded. It can reach speeds around 40 knots when empty.[1][3]

The MPFUB weighs about 44,000 pounds (19,950 kg). Propulsion is provided by twin Cummins QSM11 engines rated for 660 hp at 2300 rpm and Hamilton 364 water jets (for beach deployments). The MPFUB has three weapon mounts for M2 Browning, Mk 19 grenade launcher, or M240 machine guns. It was designed by Kvichak Marine Industries, Incorporated.[4]

Procurement of the MPFUB is managed by the Naval Facilities Expeditionary Logistics Center (NFELC). The first MPFUB was delivered to the Navy's Assault Craft Unit ONE in 2006.[3]

References
  1. "Surface Connectors". United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  2. "Surfers Not the Only Ones Riding the Waves in San Diego". United States Navy. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  3. "Assault Craft Boats". United States Navy. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  4. "Kvichak at work on utility boat series". MarineLog. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
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