USMC receives motorboats Whiskey Bravo
The Whiskey Bravo boat at full speed. Photo TWPG
The US Marine Corps is adopting a new model of equipment. To increase the mobility of units and other indicators, it is proposed to use Whiskey Bravo motorboats from the Australian company The Whiskey Project Group. Previously, this equipment has undergone comprehensive testing and has proven itself as a convenient and successful water transport, as well as a carrier of payloads and weapons.
In alphabet order
At the end of the last decade, The Whiskey Project Group (TWPG) was founded in Australia by former military personnel, defence experts and engineers. They planned to use their experience in various fields to create a new series of multi-purpose motor boats for military purposes.
Soon the company presented its first development – the boat Whiskey Alpha. It was named after the first letter of the phonetic alphabet adopted by NATO, and in the future they were going to continue such naming traditions. It was a watercraft 8,5 m long and of limited displacement, capable of transporting people and some cargo.
Soon a new boat of a larger size was shown. By the same logic, the 11,9-meter boat was named Whiskey Bravo. Due to the increase in dimensions and displacement, it was possible to ensure an increase in all other parameters.
The company that developed the boats wanted to offer both the Australian Navy and potential overseas buyers. Since their introduction, both Whiskey models have been regularly shown at major international exhibitions. However, the search for customers dragged on for several years.
General view of the boat. Photo Armyrecognition.com
In September 2021, Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom signed an agreement to create the military-political alliance AUKUS. Within the framework of this organization, joint programs in the field of security are planned, including the purchase and supply of various weapons and equipment.
TWPG took advantage of the situation and began negotiations with the US Marine Corps in 2022-23. The USMC has expressed interest in Australian motorboats and expressed a desire to purchase several examples for testing and evaluation.
Boats for the KMP
In November 2023, the Corps ordered several Whiskey boats of two models from TWPG. The total contract value was $20,5 million. Construction was not expected to take long, and delivery of the completed vessels was expected in the near future.
In mid-April 2024, the contractor delivered the first pair of the larger Whiskey Bravo boats to the KMP, with the remaining boats of both models expected to be delivered soon. News At that time it followed that, together with the boats, the KMP should receive a variety of equipment for reconnaissance, strikes, etc. These systems and means were supposed to be installed on the boats for the purpose of testing.
As can be judged, testing of the received boats began already in the spring of last year and was conducted at sea ranges near the coast of California. The KMP research laboratory determined the technical, running and operational characteristics of the new products, and also conducted a number of other tests.
"Whiskey Bravo" at one of the exhibitions of the recent past. Photo TWPG
During such tests, the features of the use of Whiskey boats as transport for landing forces, including with the landing of personnel on the shore, were studied. There is also information on the use of floating craft as carriers of special electronics or weapons, including light missile complexes.
While testing was underway, TWPG was preparing for the eventual launch of full-scale serial production. In October 2024, it opened a new office and manufacturing facility in the U.S. state of North Carolina. These facilities were supposed to be used to fulfill orders for the USMC and other customers.
The Marine Corps conducted the necessary tests and gave the Whiskey boats a high rating. In early March 2025, it decided to accept these products for trial operation. This means that in the foreseeable future, the boats will be used by combat units of the Corps to solve real problems. If there are no serious problems or shortcomings, the Whiskeys will have a chance to enter service and go into full-fledged production.
However, all plans for the near future are not yet disclosed. It is unknown how long the new stage of inspections and operation will last, when the contract for a large series will be signed, etc. So far, the Marine Corps uses only four 11,9-meter boats, and it is obvious that for a full re-equipment of units it needs a much larger number of such equipment.
Multipurpose reconnaissance
Whiskey Alpha and Bravo are typical modern military motorboats. They are built using well-known and proven solutions. At the same time, some ideas are provided to improve the characteristics and working potential.
Reconnaissance and strike boat equipment. TWPG graphics
The Whiskey Bravo boat has a light metal hull, presumably aluminum. The overall length of the boat is about 12 m. The displacement is not reported. The hull has a flat deck of considerable area with a fence. The latter can be reinforced with add-on bulletproof armor modules.
The boat is equipped with a pair of outboard diesel engines of an unnamed brand. With their help, the watercraft develops a speed of at least 40 knots. High maneuverability is also provided. Due to the shallow draft, the boat can operate near the coast and approach the shore as close as possible.
The boat is operated by a crew of two. The deck also provides space for 8 landing troops. Disembarkation is carried out through the side or passages in it. The use of a bow ramp, as on some boats of other models, is not provided.
In the basic configuration, Whiskey Bravo is equipped with a radar for viewing the surface situation, navigation, communication system and other necessary devices. The composition of the equipment complies with current standards and ensures safe driving.
At the same time, the boat can also carry specialized systems. For example, the advertising materials present a concept of a boat with the Israeli-made Spike missile system. In this case, two multi-seat launchers are installed in the aft part of the deck. It is assumed that such a configuration will allow the boat to support landing forces or solve other tasks.
On trial off the coast of Australia. Photo TWPG
In the USMC, the Whiskey boats are given the general name Multi-Mission Reconnaissance Craft. This indicates plans for the future use of the boats, and also hints at possible equipment for serial products.
Desired results
If the Whiskey boats of both types do not encounter serious difficulties and/or do not show major shortcomings during the trial operation, then their fate will be clear. The USMC will definitely order new and successful motor boats, and TWPG will have to build them in large series.
From the working title of the new boats, assigned by the Marine Corps, it is not difficult to understand what role they consider these watercraft to play. The corps is going to use the boats to transport personnel. It is also possible to create a transport-combat version of the boat, not only transporting people, but also capable of delivering strikes.
However, at the moment the situation does not give grounds for great optimism. The Whiskey boats have passed the main part of the USMC inspections, but there is still one important stage of testing left. In addition, in the future the Pentagon and TWPG will have to launch full-scale construction of the boats, and this process may not be easy. It is still unclear whether it will be possible to solve all the tasks set and expected in a timely manner.
Information