posted 03-26-2009 09:59 AM ET (US)        

This is a "target boat" that we tow behind other craft for combat system targeting exercises. The black boxes are arrays that are used to make the combat systems "think" and determine what level of threat it is. In other words, the system doesn't see a 13 whaler, it can be seen as a much larger threat.

posted 03-26-2009 08:52 PM ET (US)            

Then you'd really love one of these:

http://www.specialoperations.com/Navy/HSB/

Two summers ago, there were three of them sitting at the ramp here in town, on trailers. In from Virgina from what I recall. They needed some quick mechanical work, and I routed them over to where we store the Whaler so they had access to the large shed and could work inside (thunderstorms that afternoon).

They were being towed by the biggest GMC crewcab dualies that I've ever seen (and we're a GMC dealer). The cab assemblies were mounted on a powertrain and frame that looked larger then normal.

There was a large panel truck just for parts and consumables.

The boats were all gray, not camo. Innovation manufactured, raised deck engines, but not blown so they could run on standard fuel. Solid 1.5 to 2 inch hull thicknesses.

They were overnighting in PH, then running up the lake to the Straights and over across upper Lake Michigan to somewhere in Wisconsin.

According to the commanding officer, it's training that they do about every other year. They like the Great Lakes (had done Lake Erie, up the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and had pulled out at PH for maintenance on the outdrives) as they normally train in the ocean, which does not give them any practical close in navigation like the rivers here can. And they also like getting away from the salt water too.

They did attract some attention though.

Don