Developing High Performance Inflatable Solutions for Commercial and Military Use
Today’s Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) must perform in some pretty rough environments. When considering warfighters’ missions, those requirements run the gamut from daily patrols to special operations in austere conditions. WING Inflatables specializes in designing and manufacturing 4 types of RHIB tubes / sponsons which can be made to fit virtually any design of RHIB. Drawing on 30 years experience the presentation considers the different material types and seam methods along with the merits of Air, Air / Foam, Hybrid and Foam sponsons. The company partners with some of the finest OEM RHIB builders in the world and currently provides sponsons for approximately 90 percent of the US military’s Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB).
The US Department of Defense (DOD) approached WING about producing Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) using the same materials as WING sponsons. Utilizing innovative hull design and materials WING has developed a range of durable, high performance CRRC inflatable boats from 4.2 metre to 5.8 metre for military and rescue use. The WING hull design creates hydrodynamic lift and compartmentalizes the running surface to reduce vacuum. This affords higher speeds with heavier loads, is quicker to plane and improves fuel efficiency. After supporting a full conversion by the US Air Force, Wing is currently in production to supply up to 1500 5.8 and 4.7 metre inflatable boats to the US Army and 2100 4.7 metre boats to the US Navy.
Andrew Branagh - WING Inflatables
Andrew Branagh grew up sailing and racing boats in the demanding conditions of San Francisco Bay. Between sailing, diving and working on boats he started a variety of companies. The businesses covered a wide range of sectors including food, education, construction and marine.
Branagh joined Wing in July of 2013 with a vision to leverage Wing’s technology by utilizing innovative building and marketing approaches. In the space of 3 years the Wing team has grown from 50 members to over 175 talented individuals.
Branagh has kept Wing focused on growing its core collar and sponson business, while overseeing the successful launch and build out of the CRRC (Combat Rubber Raiding Craft) product line.
Download NEXT GEN Workshops October 2016 Presentation (password required)
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