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Combat Boat 90 (CB90) is a class of fast military assault craft originally developed for the Swedish Navy by Dockstavarvet . In addition to the many variants in service with the Swedish Navy under the Strb 90 H designation, the CB 90 has been adopted by the navies of several countries, including Norway (as the S90N), Greece , Estonia , Mexico (as the CB 90 HMN) and Malaysia . The CB90 is an exceptionally fast and agile boat. Its light weight, shallow draught and twin Water Jet s allow it to operate at speeds of up to 40 knots in shallow coastal waters. The water jets are partially ducted, which, along with underwater control surfaces similar to a submarine's Diving Plane s, allows the CB90 to execute extremely sharp turns at high speed, decelerate from top speed to a full stop in 2.5 boat lengths, and adjust its Pitch and Roll angle while under way. HISTORY In 1988 , Dockstavarvet won a competition to design and manufacture a replacement for the aging Tpbs 200 class. Two prototypes, with Pennant Number 801 and 802, were delivered in 1989 . After completion of field trials, the Swedish Navy signed a purchase order for 120 boats in June 1990 . The official Swedish Navy designation is Strb 90 H (Strids'''b'''åt 19'''90''' '''H'''alv pluton, literally: Combat Boat 1990 Half platoon); the H refers to the fact that it can carry and deploy a half platoon of amphibious infantry (21 men) fully equipped. In 2002 , the Swedish Navy ordered an additional 27 boats of a slightly different type, designated Strb 90 HS, and intended for deployment in overseas peace-keeping operations. It is unclear what the S refers to; it may be short for ''Skyddad'' (''protected''), as the Strb 90 HS is armored. The factory sometimes refers to it as the CB 90 HI, where the I probably stands for International. The Royal Norwegian Navy evaluated the Strb 90 H in early 1996 , and subsequently purchased a total of 20 boats, designated 90 N (for ''Norsk utgave'', literally ''Norwegian version''). The Mexican Navy acquired 40 units (designated CB 90 HMN) between 1999 and 2001 , and obtained a production license in 2002 , allowing further units to be manufactured in Mexico . VERSIONS Several Strb 90 H have been converted by the Swedish Navy to fill various roles:
The Royal Norwegian Navy operates 20 CB90s under the designation S90N; the N simply stands for ''Norsk utgave'' (''Norwegian version''). The S90N differs from the Strb 90 H in a few areas:
At least one S90N has been reconfigured into a floating Ambulance . In 2004 , the Royal Norwegian Navy conducted tests (including a Live Fire Exercise ) to evaluate the effectiveness of the S90N as an aiming and launching platform for the Hellfire missile. One S90N was equipped with stabilized Hellfire launchers, and its machine gun was replaced with a Gimbal -mounted sensor package containing visible-light and infrared cameras and a laser designator. Although the tests were successful, there is currently no indication that the Royal Norwegian Navy will actually deploy S90Ns armed with Hellfire missiles in regular service. ACCIDENTS INVOLVING CB90S On June 13, 2004 , several Strb 90 H from the Swedish Navy 's first Amphibious Regiment were sailing at high speed in convoy formation when one of them abruptly reduced speed (allegedly so its wake would not upset a smaller sail boat). The boat immediately behind it failed to react and rammed it. Several soldiers who were abovedeck at the time of the accident were thrown in the water; one was killed instantly, and another sustained severe injuries from which he died later the same day. REFERENCES
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