The Raptor (Project 03160) high-speed patrol boats are designed and being built by Open JSC Pella Shipyard based in Leningrad, Russia. The boat can be deployed in a wide range of missions, including patrolling, search-and-rescue, anti-sabotage and anti-terrorism. It can transport up to 20 crew members of distressed ships or aircraft and has the ability to intercept and arrest light ships.

The Russian Navy plans to procure a series of eight boats by 2015. Four of them were rolled-out in 2014, while the remaining four are scheduled to be launched in 2015. The boats will be operated by the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet and will be based at the Leningrad Naval Base.

Orders and deliveries

The first Raptor patrol boat was launched in August 2013 and underwent builder’s sea trials in the same month. The boat was demonstrated to the Russian Navy in September.

The Russian Ministry of Defence awarded a contract to OJSC Pella to build and deliver a series of eight patrol boats for the Russian Navy in June 2014.

The first Raptor boat in the series was launched in June 2014 followed by the second in August 2014. The state acceptance board signed an acceptance act for a patrol boat in March 2015 and the boat was commissioned into the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet in August 2015.

The Navy will conduct tests to evaluate the navigation and communications systems, life support systems, airborne weapons, as well as running and seaworthiness of the patrol boats before commissioning them into the Black Sea Fleet.

The crew of Raptor patrol boat will undergo a comprehensive and multi-level training at the Joint Training Centre of the Russian Navy in St Petersburg.

Design and features of Project 03160 patrol boat

The Project 03160 patrol boat accommodates two crew members and 22 personnel. It has maximum length of 17m, maximum width of 4m, a fixed height of 3.5m, and a depth of 0.9m. It has special cabins to house anti-terrorist groups, divers, lifeguards, inspection and rescue teams.

The boat is integrated with modern navigation systems, communications, radar and radios to provide high-navigability. The bridge is equipped with operator workstations and consoles for command and control.

Weaponry

The boat is fitted with a remotely operated weapon station to hold a 14.5mm machine gun, as well as a gyro-stabilised, electro-optical module. The gun has a firing range of 2,000m and is used for defence against weapon systems and armoured targets. The electro-optical module provides target detection up to a range of 3,000m.

Two bracket mounts are fitted at the stern to carry a 7.62mm 6P41 Pecheneg machine gun each. The gun has an aiming range of 1,500m and a rate-of-fire between 600 and 800 rounds a minute.

Protection features of Raptor patrol boat

Armour panels fitted on the hull provide level 5 and 5A protection against bullets. The 39mm-thick bulletproof glass windows offer ballistic protection for the occupants.

Propulsion and performance

Powered by a 2,000hp engine, the Raptor patrol boat can reach a top speed of approximately 50k. It can execute missions in a radius of 100 miles (160km) from its operating base.

The boat is capable of operating in coastal waters, estuaries and straits both during day and at night.

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