Updated at 9:51 a.m., Monday, February 19, 2007
Honolulu-based Navatek wins $2M Navy design contract
Advertiser Staff
Honolulu naval architect Navatek Ltd. recently won a $2 million contract to design a Navy prototype ship that can deliver tanks and other heavy equipment onto a beachhead.Navatek's proposal for the so called T-Craft project uses an amphibious transporter that can be launched from a specially designed ship. The transporter could then carry troops and equipment from ship to shore. Navatek hopes the contract will eventually be worth $160 million, if all options are exercised.
"If our preliminary $2 million design is accepted, we move to phase two where we would receive an additional $10 million to produce and model-test a detailed design of the ship," said Navatek President Steven Loui in a written statement. "If awarded the phase three work, Navatek will receive an estimated $150 million to design, build and test a 350-foot prototype craft."
The project is part of a Navy concept called sea basing, which involves rapidly moving tanks equipment and supporting materials from ships onto beaches during wartime maneuvers and humanitarian relief operations.
