Norco has secured a contract from BAE Systems to build a fleet of hard-hulled riverine craft (HHRC) for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). Designed for fast raiding, assault missions, and beach landings, these vessels will enhance the UK’s defence capabilities in riverine and coastal operations.
Key Features & Capabilities
The 5.2-metre craft are built for versatility, supporting:
- River patrols
- Beach assaults
- Dive & demolition missions
- General service duties
Their compact, lightweight design allows for rapid deployment, including helicopter transport and launch from larger ships. The vessels are foam-filled for reserve buoyancy, ensuring stability even in shallow or rough waters.
Overcoming Manufacturing Challenges
BAE Systems initially faced difficulties meeting modern weight requirements, as the original 1990s techniques were outdated. However, Norco’s engineering team combined traditional methods with modern materials, using a specialist epoxy hand lay process to achieve—and even exceed—the required specifications.
Durable & Combat-Ready Design
The craft feature:
- Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) construction
- Metal backing plates & under-deck hard points for added strength
- Low-draft capability, ideal for rivers, swamps, and coastal zones
Strengthening Industry Partnerships
Steve Quick, Boats Programme Lead at BAE Systems, praised the collaboration:
“Norco has delivered an excellent product that meets our high standards. This project reinforces our outsourcing model, and we look forward to future opportunities.”
The successful delivery highlights Norco’s expertise in legacy craft modernisation, blending historical knowledge with advanced manufacturing to meet defence needs. This project could pave the way for future MoD and defence sector contracts.
