Portland, ME — 6 August 2019 — PacMar Technologies LLC has been awarded an $8 million contract from the U.S. Navy Office of Naval Research (ONR). The contract entitled “Advanced Planing Hull Research” focuses on pursuing new science and technology for safer hulls and hybrid-electric propulsion systems for fast boats.

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PacMar Technologies will work directly with Front Street Shipyard in Belfast, ME, who will combine their “Built in Maine” composites experience with PacMar Technologies' research strength. Front Street Shipyard will build the PacMar Technologies prototypes and collaborate on testing at-sea. The science and technology advancements from this research will benefit all the Navy’s small craft programs. “Maine is home to the best shipbuilders in the world, and our state has long had an integral role in our national security. PacMar Technologies' engineering and research strength combined with Front Street Shipyard’s composites experience will benefit all of the Navy’s small-craft programs,” said Senator Collins. “As a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I strongly advocated for the funding that made this research possible and am so proud of the work PacMar Technologies and other Maine companies do to support our Navy and our nation’s defense.”

 

This new contract will continue to build on the success of Maine’s historic leadership in the maritime field and revolutionize it for our digital and renewable energy age. Opportunities to collaborate with Maine maritime companies such as Front Street Shipyard were vital in supporting PacMar Technologies' Portland office, opened in 2018.

 

Daniel Brunk, CEO of PacMar Technologies said, “Our company is so pleased to have been able to partner with the University of Maine and the State’s boat building ecosystem to address the Navy’s new challenges and needs.”

JB Turner, president of Front Street Shipyard, said, “We believe our experience with advanced composite construction for boats will provide a key advantage to our Navy, and we are happy to team with PacMar Technologies to use our combined capabilities in this area through this new research program.”