Why this program?
The 45-foot response boat-medium (RB-M) program revitalized the Coast Guard's shore-based boat fleet, delivering improved speed, maneuverability and ergonomics over the 41-foot utility boat and other nonstandard boats it replaced. The RB-M has proven effective in performing Coast Guard missions, including search and rescue; ports, waterways and coastal security; law enforcement; and drug and migrant interdiction. The Coast Guard acquired 174 RB-Ms to replace the 41-foot utility boat class, which was in service from 1973 to 2014. The RB-M program transitioned to sustainment in June 2015 and the Coast Guard completed an RB-M electric retrofit program in May 2017.
Characteristics
- Length: 45 feet
- Maximum Speed: 42.5 knots
- Endurance: one day
- Range: 250 nautical miles at 30 knots
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Features
- All-aluminum construction
- Twin-diesel engines with waterjet propulsion, eliminating propellers beneath the boat to protect engines from debris and make it safer to retrieve someone from the water
- Self-righting stability (intact)
- Port, starboard and aft recovery platforms
- Fore and aft weapons mounts
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Acquisition Milestones
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| Oct. 2001 |
The Coast Guard Establishes The RB-M Program |
| Oct. 2002 |
The Coast Guard awards contracts to three vendors to produce a test boat of each design for phase 1 |
| Oct. 2003 |
Phase 1 is completed with delivery of test boats to the Coast Guard |
| June 21, 2006 |
After evaluating the test boats, the service selected and awarded phase 2 of the contract to Marinette Marine Corp. of Marinette, Wisconsin, for construction of up to 250 RB-Ms |
| July 2007 |
Construction begins on first RB-M |
| March 31, 2008 |
The Coast Guard delivers first RB-M to Station Little Creek, Virginia |
| April 7, 2008 |
The service begins operational testing and evaluation, an 18-month period to verify that the boats meet operational effectiveness and suitability requirements |
| March 17, 2015 |
The Coast Guard accepted delivery of the 174th RB-M – the final RB-M produced – achieving full operational capability |
| June 2015 |
The Acquisition Directorate RB-M program transferred full responsibility for supporting the boats to the Coast Guard sustainment community |
| May 19, 2017 |
The Coast Guard completes an RB-M electrical retrofit program |