Defender-class boat

91106 in New York Harbor The Defender class utilizes a rigid deep-V hull constructed of marine grade aluminum. While similar in appearance to the sponson of a rigid-hulled inflatable boat the Defenders' collar is actually made from rigid polyethylene foam. The boat is powered by two outboard engines, usually Honda four-strokes though Mercury and Johnson engines have also been used. Tow bitts are fitted forward and aft which also serve as mounting points for M240B or M60 machine guns. ==Variants==

A class The Defender A class or Response Boat–Homeland Security (RB-HS) was the first version of the Defender class and entered service in 2002. Some A-class boats in service with the Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) have gray collars instead of the more common orange. B class law enforcement operate Defender class boat offshore during Operation Kohola Guardian in Maui, Hawaii The Defender B class, also known as the Response Boat–Small (RB-S) is a further development of the A class. First entering service in 2003 it has a slightly longer cabin, additional spotter windows aft, shock mitigating cabin seats, a smaller fuel tank, and various other minor changes. It is the most common of the three classes. ==Service life and replacement==

With the Defender-class boats nearing the end of their ten-year service life, the United States Coast Guard issued a request for proposal for replacement design for the Response Boat-Small. The request called for a boat, with weapon mounts, a minimum speed of , and a range of at least . Contracts were awarded for two boats, one from SAFE Boats International and one from Metal Shark Aluminum Boats, for testing and on September 26, 2011 the Coast Guard awarded a contract to Metal Shark Boats for the production of 38 Response Boats-Small. In November, Metal Shark was awarded a $192 million contract for up to 500 response boats—470 to replace the entirety of the Coast Guard's 2002-built fleet, 20 for the US Border Patrol, and 10 for the US Navy. ==Operators==

• • • • • • • • • Israel Police • • Liberian Coast Guard • • • • 4 units Acquired via US FMS Program. Additional units scheduled for delivery. • • Togolese Armed Forces operates one • • • U.S. Customs and Border Protection • U.S. NOAA Division of Law Enforcement • • Virginia Marine Police ==See also==