Navatek LLC has been awarded an $8 million contract from the U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research (ONR). The contract entitled “Advanced Planing Hull Research” focuses on pursuing new science and technology for safer hulls and hybrid-electric propulsion systems for fast boats.
Navatek will work directly with Front Street Shipyard in Belfast, ME, who will combine their “Built-in Maine” composites experience with Navatek’s research strength. Front Street Shipyard will build the Navatek prototypes and collaborate on testing at-sea. The science and technology advancements from this research will benefit all the Navy’s small craft programs.
“Maine is home to the best shipbuilders in the world, and our state has long had an integral role in our national security. Navatek’s engineering and research strength, combined with Front Street Shipyard’s composites experience, will benefit all of the Navy’s small-craft programs,” said Senator Collins, “As a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I strongly advocated for the funding that made this research possible. I’m so proud of the work Navatek and other Maine companies do to support our Navy and our nation’s defense.”
This new contract will continue to build on Maine’s historic leadership’s success in the maritime field and revolutionize it for our digital and renewable energy age. Opportunities to collaborate with Front Street Shipyard companies were vital in supporting Navatek’s Portland office, which opened in 2018.
Martin Kao, CEO of Navatek LLC, said, “Our company is committed to the State of Maine, and thanks to Senator Collins’ support, we have been able to partner with the University of Maine and the State’s boat-building ecosystem to address the Navy’s new challenges and needs.”
Building on Mr. Kao’s comments, JB Turner, president of Front Street Shipyard, said, “We believe our experience with advanced composite construction for boats will provide a key advantage to our Navy, and we are happy to team with Navatek to use our combined capabilities in this area through this new research program.”