The Swedish shipbuilder, Dockstavarvet, has produced a state-of-the-art vessel in the Combat Boat 90 (CB90/CB90H). The vessel is able to be fitted for a number of missions concerning combat, special operations support and search & rescue and can even be converted to operate as a floating ambulance. The boat's major selling point is its light aluminum frame which promotes fast and agile waterborne characteristics, allowing the vessel to operate in shallow waters. The CB90H armored combat boat version can make headway at 40 knots (74 km/h) and up to 50 knots (92.6 km/h) for the CB90 non-military, lightweight version. Operational range range is approximately 240 nautical miles (440 km) when at 20 knots steady.
The propulsion system of the CB90 family consists of twin-ducted waterjets with underwater control surfaces resembling the diving planes on a submarine. The boat can execute very sharp turns at near-full speed while controlling its pitch and roll angle. She can also achieve a dead stop in 130 feet (or two-and-a-half boat lengths) when coming off of 40 knots speed. Power is derived from a pair of Kamewa FF waterjet propulsion units, each powered by a 460Kw DS114 series V-8 diesel engine delivering up to 1,250 base horsepower. The boat displaces at 28,660lb (13,000kg) when empty and 45,190lb (20,500 kg) when ready. The boat is 52 feet (15.9 meters) in length and her beam measures at 12 feet, 6 inches (3.8 meters) wide while her draught is a mere 2 feet, 8 inches (0.8 meters). A narrow landing ramp is held forward.
The combat CB90H is a fast-attack boat able to carry out boarding sorties and can also be utilized as a landing craft. Her operation is controlled by two officers - a captain and helmsman officer. Her cabin allows for seating of 21 combat-ready troops (plus gear) or up to 4.5 tons (9,000 lbs) of cargo situated at the mid body of the craft. Two of the 12.7mm Browning heavy machine guns are in a forward fixed position and all both remotely operated from a monitor within the wheelhouse. The third machine gun (or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher) can be installed on a ring mount aft of the wheel house for additional firepower support. The boat can support an RBS 18 Hellfire Surface-to-Surface Missile (SSM) anti-tank system or, depending on the mission at hand, four sea mines or up to six depth charges. The Amos gyro-stabilized, twin-barrel, 12cm mortar is also found rear of the wheelhouse. This mortar system can supply the crew with up to 26 rounds per minute with a range of 10 km with an impressive firing "on-the-move" capability. A more recent configuration has seen the fitting of a 125mm main gun mounted to a PT-91 powered turret along the bow, this weapon also controlled from within the wheelhouse. 7.62mm general purpose machine guns with greater rate-of-fire and lighter load can replace all 12.7mm heavy machine guns as needed. Additionally, the crew can rely on personal crew-served weapons to add to the offensive and defensive capabilities of the CB90.
The Srb 90 HS version is armored and features Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC) warfare protection over the entire boat. If deployed in the tropics, an air condition and a fuel cooling system is available but requires a power engine upgrade and a 220v generator to be installed. Some requests for police and security-minded customers have included resting bunks, a full crew lounge and galley. More upgrades to the CB90 series are still on the drawing board and being entertained and tested to help expand the forte of the excellent vessel.
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
Specifications
Greece; Malaysia; Mexico; Norway; Sweden; United States Operators
3 x 12.7mm Browning M2HB heavy machine guns OR 3 x 7.62mm general purpose machine guns
1 x 40mm Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher
1 x RBS-18 Hellfire SSM system
1 x 81mm Mortar
4 x Mines OR 6 x Depth Charges
None.
Images
1 / 2
Front view of the Combat Boat 90 being loaded onto a transport trailer
2 / 2
Front right side view of a Combat Boat 90; the panel ahead of the wheelhouse houses the 2 x .50 caliber gun emplacement
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.
