News Summary
Eureka Naval Craft has formed a strategic partnership with Bordelon Marine Shipbuilders to enhance U.S. military shipbuilding capabilities. This collaboration aims to support the U.S. Navy’s Modular Attack Surface Craft (MASC) Program while creating thousands of skilled jobs in the industry. The partnership will deliver advanced vessels like the Bengal-MC and Jaguar landing craft to bolster national defense against global threats. This initiative is expected to stimulate economic growth in the shipbuilding sector and ensure military readiness for evolving challenges.
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana – Eureka Naval Craft has announced a strategic partnership with Bordelon Marine Shipbuilders, aimed at enhancing the United States’ military shipbuilding capabilities. This collaboration is designed to support the U.S. administration’s shipbuilding agenda while bolstering the nation’s military industrial base.
The signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) seeks to create and preserve thousands of skilled jobs within the shipbuilding industry. This agreement comes in response to a call from the U.S. Navy in July 2023 for innovative developments in the Modular Attack Surface Craft (MASC) Program.
Under this partnership, production-ready AIRCAT Bengal-MC modular attack surface craft as well as Jaguar landing craft will be delivered to the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, and U.S. Marine Corps. Additionally, these vessels are adaptable for combat against narco-terrorism for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Advanced Features of the Bengal-MC
The Bengal-MC boasts cutting-edge technology emphasizing speed, extended range, and significant payload capacity. The vessel is strategically focused on enhancing U.S. defenses against potential threats from China and countering Russian advances, particularly in critical regions such as the Indo-Pacific and the Baltic.
The 36-meter Bengal-MC can achieve speeds of 50 knots, making it highly suitable for counter-narcotics operations and effective transportation of boarding teams, vehicles, or relief supplies. Furthermore, it has a cruise speed of 38 knots, showcasing its ability to carry heavy loads over considerable distances.
Notably, the Bengal-MC features SH Defence’s Cube modular mission deck system, which allows for rapid reconfiguration for various military scenarios. This adaptability ensures the vessel can be utilized for multiple applications, enhancing its operational versatility.
Innovative Navigation Technology
The vessel includes an advanced autonomous navigation system, co-developed with Australian defense firm Greenroom Robotics. This navigation system complies with Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture (UMAA) standards, making the Bengal-MC one of the most advanced vessels in terms of autonomous capabilities available to the military today.
Additionally, the ships are reportably ready for immediate production, presenting an affordable opportunity for the establishment of a MASC fleet to meet evolving defense needs.
Previous Agreements and Future Prospects
This MoU with Bordelon Marine follows a similar agreement that Eureka Naval Craft signed with Singapore’s Strategic Marine, aimed at increasing the production of the AIRCAT Bengal-MC in Asia. As such, the partnership with Bordelon signifies a broader strategy to fortify U.S. military shipbuilding through collaboration and innovation.
The establishment of this relationship is poised not only to enhance military readiness but also to stimulate economic growth within the shipbuilding sector, creating job opportunities and fostering industrial development.
As the demand for advanced naval capabilities continues to rise, this partnership represents a crucial investment in the future of America’s defense infrastructure. Such initiatives ensure that U.S. military forces maintain a competitive edge through innovative and efficient maritime solutions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Eureka Naval Craft and Bordelon Marine Shipbuilders Announcement
- Wikipedia: Shipbuilding
- Bollinger Shipyards Settlement News
- Google Search: Bollinger Shipyards
- Lloyd’s List on Bollinger Shipyards
- Google Scholar: Shipbuilding industry
- HD Hyundai and Edison Chouest Joint Contract News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Joint Venture
- Saronic Acquires Gulf Craft Announcement
- Google News: Autonomous Shipbuilding
- Texas Startup Saronic Buys Gulf Craft News
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
