M Ship Co
M Ship Co.’s M 80 Stiletto Named Most Innovative New Product
Date: December 19, 2006
M-hull craft wins CONNECT award in General Technology category
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA _ M Ship Co.’s revolutionary M 80 Stiletto was named as the Most Innovative New Product for 2006 in the General Technology category at CONNECT’s annual MIP Awards luncheon today.
“This is a great honor for our company, and I dedicate this award to all the people who contributed to making the Stiletto a success,” said Bill Burns, executive director of M Ship Co. “I also want to acknowledge the forward thinking of the Office of Force Transformation, which had the vision to recognize the potential of this breakthrough technology.”
The M 80 Stiletto is a revolutionary vessel designed and built for the Pentagon’s Office of Force Transformation, which believes the vessel could transform the way U.S. forces conduct coastal and riverine operations. The patented M Hull® configuration represents a breakthrough because its M-shaped hull captures the bow wave and redirects this energy under the vessel, creating a cushion of air. With a top speed of 50 knots and a draft of only 2.5 feet, the 88-foot Stiletto provides a smooth ride from inland waterways to the high seas.
The Stiletto is an example of the next generation of military vessels that combines new materials (carbon fiber), with a networked architecture and a unique hull form. The vessel was launched in January and has participated in joint military training exercises off the California coast. Early next year, the futuristic-looking vessel will charge up Chesapeake Bay to Washington. A 40-foot military craft is also in the works.
The Stiletto marks a breakthrough in naval architecture, featuring M Ship Co.’s patented M-shaped hull that provides a stable yet fast platform for mounting electronic surveillance equipment or weapons, or for conducting special operations.
About M Ship Co.
M Ship Co. LLC is an award-winning maritime design firm formed to develop the innovative M-hull technology. M Ship Co. creates and develops transformational solutions for the maritime industry by applying creative design and physical science with talented people in a work environment that inspires innovation, integrity, respect and responsibility. For more information, go to www.mshipco.com.