CBP Launches Technology Demonstrator Vessel

Fort Lauderdale, FL (June 11th, 2009): In an effort to determine the next generation of CBP’s fleet of interceptor vessels, U. S. Customs and Border Protection recently took delivery of a 43-foot, advanced-design marine interceptor, designated as the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator vessel.

CBP Air and Marine currently operates a fleet of specialized, high-speed interceptor vessels that are approaching the end of their service life. To ensure that CBP’s future interceptor vessels meet current and future operational requirements, Air and Marine personnel will test and evaluate this vessel as part of the procurement strategy.

The vessel is currently in Fort Lauderdale for testing and evaluation.

The test team is comprised of specially trained marine interdiction agents, maintenance support technicians, administrative support members and dedicated manufacturer support. Agents will operate the vessel in a series of tests and will complete detailed evaluations. Once testing is complete, team members will begin developing specifications and operational requirement documents for acquisition of the future CBP interceptor.

CBP Air and Marine worked to ensure the vessel incorporates the latest technology, equipment and functionality. With a crew of four, the test vessel has a range of 400 nautical miles, deploying for up to 10 hours at a cruising speed of 40 knots. The vessel can reach a top speed of 65 knots, or 75 miles per hour.

Some of the designs and technologies on the 43' Nor-Tech hull include shock mitigating seats, gun placements on the port and starboard gunwales that will support M-48 7.6 machine guns, a flush foredeck, “supercharged” outboard engines, a cutting edge T-Top design and an integrated sensor and communications suite. The vessel is powered by four 350 horsepower Mercury Verado outboard engines which produce a total of 1,400 horsepower. This is an increase of 500 horsepower over CBP’s current interceptor, the 39’ Midnight Express.

For surveillance purposes, the vessel is equipped with a fully integrated electro-optical/infrared sensor suite, featuring FLIR infrared and day and low-light cameras. The suite is a proven, lightweight, gyro-stabilized 9-inch turret that can contain up to five sensors. The system also incorporates video recording capability that can be used as evidence during prosecutions.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Editor’s note: MarEx editors and other personnel boarded this vessel for a demonstration run this past week. The vessel’s considerable capabilities were fully revealed during that demonstration.