Marine Group Boat Works Point Mugu Sea Range Support Vessel

History

The Point Mugu Sea Range Support Vessel is an aluminum support craft built by Marine Group Boat Works for the U.S. Navy's Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. It is assigned to support weapons testing and evaluation activities at the Point Mugu Sea Range off Southern California.

The vessel was designed around the handling of specialized targets used during offshore test operations. Its principal working features are a large open aft deck and a heavy-duty hydraulic crane for deploying and recovering surface and aerial targets.

Marine Group Boat Works constructed the vessel at its Chula Vista, California, shipyard and completed construction and testing before delivery to the Navy in August 2026.

The Point Mugu Sea Range provides a maritime environment for developmental and operational testing. According to Defence Blog, the range covers about 36,000 square miles of Pacific coastal waters, includes San Nicolas Island, and has been used for testing missiles, free-fall weapons, electronic warfare systems, and other military equipment.

The support vessel was constructed to commercial American Bureau of Shipping class standards. Marine Group Boat Works also reported that it passed required U.S. Coast Guard inspections during construction and testing. WorkBoat reported the completed delivery on 17 August 2026.

Design

The vessel uses an aluminum hull and was purpose-built for range-support work rather than combat operations. Its arrangement emphasizes an unobstructed working area at the stern for handling test equipment and targets during offshore evaluation events.

Mission deck

A large open aft deck provides space for the launch, handling, and recovery of specialized surface and aerial targets. This configuration allows the vessel to act as a working platform during Navy weapons tests rather than as a weapon-carrying combat vessel.

Target-handling equipment

A heavy-duty hydraulic crane is installed to support deployment and recovery operations. The crane allows the crew to move targets and associated equipment between the deck and the water during test activities.

Construction standards

Marine Group Boat Works built the vessel to commercial American Bureau of Shipping class standards. Required U.S. Coast Guard inspections were completed during construction and testing before delivery.

Operational history

Marine Group Boat Works delivered the completed vessel to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in August 2026 for operations at the Point Mugu Sea Range. Its assigned role is to support offshore weapons testing and evaluation by deploying and recovering surface and aerial targets.

Operators

• United States Navy: Delivered to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in 2026 for use at the Point Mugu Sea Range in Southern California.

Specifications (Point Mugu Sea Range Support Vessel)

General characteristics

• Builder: Marine Group Boat Works
• Construction location: Chula Vista, California, United States
• Hull material: Aluminum
• Classification standard: Commercial American Bureau of Shipping class standards

Mission equipment

• Working deck: Large open aft deck for handling surface and aerial targets
• Crane: Heavy-duty hydraulic crane for target deployment and recovery
• Primary role: Support of weapons testing and evaluation at the Point Mugu Sea Range