Royal Marine ORC

...before you start getting excited - that's Offshore Raiding Craft... 😁

Southampton Boatshow last weekend and the Royal Marines were there so I took the opportunity to have a look over one of their new assault craft... 



These things come in two configurations - troop carrier (this one) and fire support type (Fire Support Platform - FSP).

FSP removes the troop seating and replaces them with an additional two weapon mountings which can take either single GPMG or .50 Cal machine gun - it also has enhanced side protection - apparently you can switch between the two modes in less than an hour....

The troop carrier (this one) will take 8 marines and all their equipment (plus 2 crew) - with machine gun mount (single or twin GPMG) for close support/protection. It's design brief was to deliver the load from ship over the horizon to shore in up to 2 mtrs of surf..  they can even be launched from helicopter...



Rib tubes are close cell foam so protected against puncture...



Stripped down, basic, but frighteningly fast... driven by two of these (Steyr M0256K43 high speed diesel engines each developing 250Hp/184Kw at 4300rpm) and fully loaded they still do 34 knots....

Here's one in use...

Spec's (from the manufacturers website)

• Length – 9100mm
• Beam – 2900mm
• Displacement Light Load/speed – 4200 kg inc fuel and 2 crew/39 knots
• Full load/speed – 5500 kg/34 knots
• Range - 200nm+
• Turning – 1.5 boat lengths at max speed
• Acceleration – 0 to 30 Knts in 10 seconds (😏!!)
• Stopping – 1.5 boat lengths from max speed
• Troop capacity – 8 troops with equipment (8 x 150 kg)
• Total Payload capacity – Combination of troops, equipment and weapons up to 1300kg
• Weapons – Forward pedestal for single or twin GPMG.
• Hull – Fabricated Aluminium (Grade 5083).
• Fendering – Elastomer covered closed cell PU foam
• Engines – Twin Steyr M0256K43 high speed diesel engines each developing 250Hp/184Kw at 4300rpm.
• Propulsion – Twin Rolls Royce (Kamewa) FF270 Waterjets
• Fuel – Diesel
• Transportability – Air transportable in C130 J MK IV. Under-slung Chinook CH47 and Merlin Helicopters. Optional road trailer.
• Armour – Optional
• Communications – Marine VHF.
• Navigation – Chart plotter with DGPS
• Electrical – 12V DC, Insulated return
• Optional Equipment – Infrared and visible convoy lights, Infra-red flood light, Radar reflector, Intercom system, Shipping cradle, Boat cover, Launching trolley, Military Communications systems, Boat trailer, Fire Support Platform (FSP) complete with armour and weapon mountings

Fire Support Platform mode... 

Sales brochure (in case you're thinking of buying one) [clicky]