Maritime Prepositioning Force Utility Boat

The Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) Utility Boat (MPFUB) is a commercially designed utility craft used primarily to move personnel and light equipment during MPF offload operations.[1] The 41 foot long, high-speed landing craft are replacing the Navy’s existing LCM-8 craft as part of the United States Navy's Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) in support of pre-positioned Marine Amphibious assault missions. Additional missions include supporting waterborne force protection, transportation of personnel and materials, medical evacuation, salvage, damage control, and repair operations.[2]

Side View of an MPFUB underway
Class overview
Name	MPF/UB-40
Builders	Kvichak Marine Industries
Operators	United States Navy
In service	2006 to present
General characteristics
Type	Utility Boat
Displacement	20 tons
Length	41 ft 0 in (12.50 m)
Beam	14 ft 0 in (4.3 m)
Installed power	2 × Cummins QSM11 engines, 660 hp (492 kW)
Propulsion	2 × Hamilton HJ 364 Waterjets
Speed	40 knots (74 km/h) light 25 knots (46 km/h) loaded
Capacity	10 tons
Troops	30
Crew	5
Armament	3 × Crew Served Weapons

Aft view of an MPFUB underway

The MPFUB's power bow ramp facilitates embarking and discharging personnel over an INLS, low pier, or quay. Cargo capacity is ten tons, or up to 30 personnel with 150 lbs of equipment at speeds up to 25 knots fully loaded. It can reach speeds around 40 knots when empty.[1][3]

The MPFUB weighs about 44,000 pounds (19,950 kg). Propulsion is provided by twin Cummins QSM11 engines rated for 660 hp at 2300 rpm and Hamilton 364 water jets (for beach deployments). The MPFUB has three weapon mounts for M2 Browning, Mk 19 grenade launcher, or M240 machine guns. It was designed by Kvichak Marine Industries, Incorporated.[4]

Procurement of the MPFUB is managed by the Naval Facilities Expeditionary Logistics Center (NFELC). The first MPFUB was delivered to the Navy's Assault Craft Unit ONE in 2006.[3]