SpecialForces.net -

Those US Navy forces organized, trained, and equipped to conduct or support naval special warfare, riverine warfare, coastal patrol and interdiction, and joint special operations with patrol boats or other combatant craft designed primarily for special operations support.

Boats

PC (Patrol Coastal Class)

This is the only craft in the NSW inventory that crosses the boundary between boats and ships. The PC is a ship, commanded by a LCDR Surface Warfare Officer. It carries a squad of SEALs and two CRRC's. It sports a bounding 170 foot steel over aluminum superstructure. This ship is designed for off shore support of special operations forces in low intesity conflict environments. It is capable of steaming over long distances unsupported by the fleet and is intended for coastal interdiction as well as SEAL insertion.

PBL (Patrol Boat Light)

The 25 foot boat, non armored boat is constructed of fiberglass with a reinforced transom and gun mounts. Powered by dual outboard motors. Its shallow draft, speed, maneuverability, and gun capacity make it ideal for riverine operations. Mounted guns can include .50 caliber heavy machine guns or 7.62mm machine guns with a 180 degree line of sight.

PBR (Patrol Boat River)

These 32 foot boats were put into service during the Vietnam War. Over 500 were built and valued for there speed, maneuverability, stealth, and protection in contested waters. Several of these remain in the U.S. Navy inventory, but are used mostly for training and support purposes.

MATC (Mini-Armored Troop Carrier)

The 36 foot aluminium surface craft was designed for high speed patrol, interdiction, and combat assault missions in rivers, harbors and protected coastal areas. It uses water jet propulsion. The craft is equiped with seven organic weapon stations and a hydrolic bow ramp for facilitating insertion and extraction of troops and equipment. This craft is used extensively on the waterways of South and Central America in the fight against drugs.

Mark V

The versatile, high-performance Mark V combatant craft is used by U.S. Navy SBUs for missions such as medium-range insertion/extraction, limited coastal patrol and interdiction. The Mark V Special Operations Craft is capable of being transported by C-5 aircraft.