Aircat Bengal MC is a 36-meter surface effect ship carrying 40 tons, hitting 50+ knots, ranging 1,000 nautical miles, and reconfiguring for missions from troop lift to EW.
US defense company Eureka Naval Craft is teaming up with Singapore’s Strategic Marine to build a new class of modular warships in Asia, aimed at the US Navy and allied fleets.
At the center of the project is the Aircat Bengal MC, a 36-meter (118-foot) surface effect ship designed to take on missions usually handled by much larger corvettes and frigates.
The multi-mission vessel can support troop transport, landing operations, drone deployment, electronic warfare, and mine countermeasures.
It is also capable of operating fully or semi-autonomously, reflecting a broader shift toward more flexible naval platforms.
High-Speed, Heavy Lift
The Aircat Bengal MC is built for range and payload, able to carry 40 tons (36,287 kilograms) while sprinting past 50 knots (93 kilometers/58 miles per hour) depending on load. Its reach extends to 1,000 nautical miles (1,852 kilometers/1,151 miles).
A modular payload system and extended aft deck allow the vessel to be reconfigured quickly for shifting mission sets, from logistics to combat support.
Navigation is powered by Greenroom’s maritime autonomy software, dubbed one of the most advanced in the market.
The effort aligns with Pentagon goals to field smaller, more adaptable, and cooperative fleets across the Indo-Pacific.
Bolstering Ties
The partnership underscores growing US-Singapore defense cooperation, aimed at strengthening supply chain resilience in the region.
It also creates a pathway for collaboration under AUKUS, a security partnership between Australia, the UK, and the US, with Eureka integrating autonomy software from an Australian firm.
“By joining forces with Strategic Marine, we are combining American innovation with Singaporean shipbuilding excellence to meet the needs of navies worldwide,” said Bo Jardine, CEO of Eureka Naval Craft.
“The Aircat Bengal MC’s modular payload system, large aft deck range, and speed ensure it is at the forefront of maritime technology, ready to adapt to the ever-evolving threats and mission requirements.”
