With over 30 years of British naval design heritage, Ribcraft has set the benchmark for professional and military-grade RHIBs trusted by defence, SAR, and government agencies worldwide.

Ribcraft has now unveiled the PRO 480 powered by the RAD 40 electric outboard, a UK-built demonstrator that strengthens Ribcraft’s next-generation electric RHIB portfolio for professional, commercial, and government operators. Built on the trademarked Ribcraft Deep-V Hull®, the PRO 480 delivers mission-ready performance while advancing sustainability, reducing noise, and lowering through-life burden. This launch underscores Ribcraft’s global growth strategy and accelerates its leadership in clean, high-performance maritime capability.

A proven platform with expanded mission potential

Ribcraft PRO 480 has long served as a benchmark in compact professional RHIB capability, agile, resilient, configurable, and repeatedly proven across defence, SAR, and high-demand commercial operations. Its trademarked Ribcraft Deep-V Hull®, heavy-duty Hypalon® tubes, robust composite structure, and mission-specific bespoke architecture deliver a platform engineered for operational endurance, flexibility, and reliable performance in the harshest maritime environments.

This new electric configuration preserves all operational flexibility, while opening the door to cleaner and quieter missions previously inaccessible to combustion platforms.

Ribcraft PRO 480 Specification:

• Overall Length: 4.8m

• Overall Beam: 2.1 m

• Tube Diameter: 460 mm

• Commercial-Grade Construction

• FS Double Tandem Jockey Seat Console

• Fitted with RAD 40 Electric Out     board

• RAD 21 kWh Battery

Electric propulsion capability

The RAD 40 brings the following benefits:

• 40 kW continuous power, delivering crisp acceleration and confident planing performance.

• Compact, lightweight design that preserves RHIB deck space and supports stable trim.

• Digital drive-by-wire control enabling precise manoeuvring in tight or tactical environments.

• Quiet operation, reducing acoustic footprint during wildlife, SAR, or tactical missions.

• AC/DC fast-charging compatibility supporting flexible deployment and turnaround times.

• Lightweight at ~100 kg (motor only).

Our performance analysis

Preliminary performance trials were conducted on the Ribcraft PRO 480 equipped with the RAD 40, a RAD 21 kWh battery, with two personnel onboard.

Key Takeaways from the Data:

• Speed range: Proven operational performance from 4–30 kts.

• Endurance band: Optimal efficiency achieved at 12–16 kts, consuming only 1.83–1.53 kWh per nm, ideal for sustained coastal security and patrol operations.

• Low-signature patrol: At 4–6 kts, consumption remains low at 0.63–1.27 kWh per nm, supporting covert movements, harbour security tasks, and precise station-keeping.

• High-speed response: At 18–22 kts, the system draws 27.9–37.3 kW, providing rapid-response capability for SAR, interdiction, and fast transit missions.

• Top-end capability: Maximum tested speeds of 24–30 kts delivered 38.5–45.6 kW, validating the RHIB’s ability to execute rapid deployments.

• 

Sustainability and operational advantage

Ribcraft’s expanding electric RHIB range delivers a decisive step forward in sustainable maritime capability, aligning government, defence, and commercial operators with global decarbonisation goals while strengthening sovereign industrial capacity. This reduces through-life burden and elevates operational performance without compromise.

The advantages are immediate:

• Zero emissions, enabling cleaner operations and compliance with emerging environmental and regulatory frameworks.

• Significantly reduced acoustic signature, enhancing operational discretion for patrol, surveillance, and conservation tasks in sensitive littoral zones.

• Lower whole-of-life cost, driven by minimal maintenance and reduced energy expenditure across the fleet.

It’s a clean-sheet approach to capability, sustainable without sacrificing operational power.

“Electrification represents a strategic step in Ribcraft’s global capability roadmap, marking a pivotal advance in our expanding electric RHIB portfolio. The PRO 480 Electric demonstrates how cutting-edge clean propulsion can be integrated without compromising the rugged, operational performance professionals demand. It sets a new benchmark — quieter, cleaner, and more cost-efficient capability built on Ribcraft’s proven Deep-V Hull®.

With the first demonstrator now operational in the UK, customers can assess this next-generation capability firsthand, purpose-built for the demanding environments our vessels are engineered to master.” said Toby Adams, Ribcraft CEO.

“By integrating our high-efficiency electric drive systems directly into Ribcraft’s vessel, we have been able to unlock unrivalled levels of performance, reliability, and user experience. We are delighted to partner with Ribcraft and the RAD 40 makes the ideal partner to the PRO 480.”  – Toby Biddlecombe, Sales Manager, RAD Propulsion.