Combat Boat 90 (CB90)

Combat Boat 90 (CB90)

Type: patrol_boat

Domain: sea

Country of Origin: Sweden

Manufacturer: Saab Kockums

First Deployed: 1991

Overview

Fast amphibious assault craft achieving legendary status through adoption by US Special Operations Command and combat service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The CB90 features a 16-metre planing hull design providing 40+ knot speeds even in sea state 4, armored protection for crew against small arms, bow ramp enabling drive-on/drive-off for vehicles or rapid troop deployment directly onto beaches, and flexible weapons mounts typically including heavy machine guns, grenade launchers, or small missiles. Payload capacity of 3,500 kg or 21 fully-equipped troops. Powered by twin Scania diesel engines. The design emphasizes versatility, speed, and survivability for amphibious operations, riverine warfare, and special operations insertion. Sweden operates 200+ CB90s across multiple variants for amphibious battalions and coastal defense. US Special Operations Command operates CB90s (designated Riverine Assault Boat and Combat Craft Assault) for NSW and riverine squadrons, extensively employed in Iraq. Also operated by Mexico, Malaysia, Greece, and Norway. Combat-proven in littoral operations. The CB90 demonstrates that high-speed planing hulls provide superior capability for assault operations compared to traditional landing craft.

Technical Specifications

typeHigh-Speed Amphibious Assault Craft
draft~0.7 m (shallow water operations)
speed40+ knots
usersSweden, US (USMC), Norway, Mexico
armamentHMG, grenade launchers, Hellfire (some variants)
capacity21 troops + crew
displacement~16 tonnes
manufacturerDockstavarvet (Sweden)

Operators

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