Louisiana-based aluminum boat manufacturer Metal Shark Aluminum Boats LLC has been awarded a contract to produce up to 350 specialized vessels for the United States Navy, the company announced today.
The fixed-price contract is for the construction of the Navy’s High Speed Maneuverable Surface Target (HSMST) vessels. Based on Metal Shark’s high performance 26-foot Relentless center console model, the twin engine, welded aluminum HSMSTs will be utilized by the Navy primarily for advanced weapons system testing and fleet training exercises.
“ Metal Shark works diligently to exceed customer expectations and meet stringent mission requirements by providing advanced yet cost-competitive solutions, “ said Chris Allard, President of Metal Shark . “ Large contracts such as this help us to increase our efficiencies, creating a trickle-down effect that positively impacts our ability to accommodate our state, local, and commercial customers as well.”
The Navy has issued an immediate production order for nearly $14 million worth of Metal Shark HSMSTs, with nearly three times that amount expected to follow by the contract’s conclusion in 2016.
[mappress]
Press Release, November 25, 2013