Page 37: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (December 1981)

Award $12-Million Contract

To Uniflite For Boats Used

By Navy's Special Forces

The U.S. Naval Sea Systems

Command awarded a contract valued at $12.6 million to Uni- flite, Inc., Bellingham, Wash., fiberglass boat manufacturer, for the construction of 38 trailerable 36-foot Seafox special warfare craft, according to James J. Doud

Jr., Uniflite president.

The smallest combatant craft currently being built for the

Navy, Seafox has been developed for use by the Navy's SEAL (sea, air, land) teams, the naval equivalent of the Army's Green

Berets. SEAL teams are experts in underwater demolition, coastal raids, landing and evacuation of commandos, and similar warfare operations.

Constructed of fiberglass, these vessels are powered by a pair of

Detroit Diesel 6V-92TA diesel engines rated at 450 hp each and outfitted with extensive communi- cations and navigation equipment.

Seafox is designed to be carried in davits on large ships or air- lifted in C-130 aircraft.

Included in the contract are especially designed trailers for land transport as well as provi- sion of spare parts and logistics support services.

Uniflite developed the proto- type Seafox under a 1977 Navy contract and is currently produc- ing eight of the craft under a contract awarded in 1980. The new order for 38 boats is a multi- year agreement to meet 1981 and 1982 Navy requirements.

Hold Dedication And

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

At New Bell Halter Yard

A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony took place recently for a new $10-million Bell Halter shipyard that is nearing comple- tion in East New Orleans, La.

Bell Halter Inc. was formed in 1980 by Bell Aerospace Textron,

Division of Textron Inc., and

Halter Marine, Inc. of New Or- leans, to produce surface effect ships (SES).

Attending the ceremony were

Maj. Gen. Edward J. Megarr,

Commanding General, 4th Marine

Division, USMCR; Capt. Charles

H. Piersall, USN, Project Man- ager, Amphibious Ship Acquisi- tion Project; Louisiana Congress- man Robert L. Livingston; Lou- isiana Congresswoman Lindy

Boggs; Robert P. Straetz, chair- man of the board, Textron Inc.; and Harold P. Halter, chairman of the board, Halter Marine Inc.

The new shipyard will produce high-quality, low-cost, marine air cushion landing craft for the

U.S. Navy. The craft, designated "LCAC" (Landing Craft, Air

Cushion) by the Navy, will be produced under a subcontract from Bell Aerospace. A U.S. Navy contract for the detail design and long lead materials for this new type of amphibious landing craft has been awarded to Bell. The contract contains two options for initial construction efforts for six craft. Follow-on plans call for construction of up to 107 craft in total.

The site for the new Bell Halter facility is on 14.7 acres of land directly adjoining an existing

Halter shipyard in eastern Or- leans Parish (County) adjacent to U.S. Highway 90 and Bayou

Sauvage. This site provides di- rect access to the Intracoastal

Waterway, the Mississippi River, the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, and the Gulf of Mexico. In its present configuration, the facility consists of a 168,000-square-foot building. It is planned that ap- proximately 110,000 square feet of additional manufacturing area will be added at a later date to meet increased production rates.

Special equipment is being de- veloped and installed and it is anticipated that staffing will be underway by March 1982. Initi- ally, 250 persons with general shipyard skills will be hired, with later expansion increasing that number to 600.

The Tank Gauging System that is ahead of the fleet.

Latest Computer Techniques

The Vitronics, Vi-2001 tank gauging system is a radar based system using the latest technology in hardware and ad- vanced aerospace techniques for signal processing. The system will decipher the true signal from the numerous false returns. Thus, providing an accurate measure- ment of the tank liquid surface, with no interval tank modifica- tions. Accuracy to 1/8 inch over the entire 200 foot range.

The radar signal is not affected by washing jets (COW) system, and also can operate at sea.

Therefore, Vitronic Vi-2001 can comply with IMCO closed loading regulations.

Since there are no moving parts and all electronic com- ponents are mounted outside the tank, maintenance cost is low.

Vi-2001

RADAR

TRANSMITTER

Continuous Display

The Vitronic Vi-2001 will con- tinuously display all tank level readings in feet or meters, on digital, and/or, analog indicators.

Continuous Alarms

Vi-2001 will provide continuous low-low, low, high, and high-high visual and audio alarms.

Installation And Service

All sub-systems are designed for immediate installation and service. All electronic com- ponents are quick disconnect for easy field repair. The RF assembly, at the individual tank, can be rapidly exchanged without depressurizing the tank.

Stay ahead of the fleet. For more information and brochure, contact:

VITRONICS 3694 Westchase Drive Houston, Texas 77042

Phone (713) 978-7973 TWX 910-881-5399

RADAR

ANTENNA

TUB

RF PACKAGE

GASKET

PLATE

COVER

GASKET

December 1, 1981 Write 385 on Reader Service Card Write 403 on Reader Service Card 69