Mobile-area shipbuilder Silver Ships has been awarded the biggest contract in its history, a deal to build target boats that could be worth $48.25 million.

Silver Ships, based in Theodore, has a long history of building Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats for the U.S. military; it says it has delivered more than 800 of them since 1994, and that many are used by the Navy “to support ship, aviation training and operational needs.”

The latest contract has an initial value of $6.1 million. If all contract options are exercised, the new deal with the General Services Administration will lead to the construction of up to 246 High-Speed Maneuvering Surface Target (HSMST) vessels based on Silver Ships’ 27-foot AM800. According to information released by the company, the boats are set up to be handled by a one- or two-person crew but also can be operated remotely during live-fire training.

Shawn Lobree, a retired U.S. Navy captain who is Silver Ships’ HSMST project manager, said the target boats are a valuable resource in training exercises.

“During my Navy service, I greatly benefitted from being able to train with the Silver Ships’ HSMST vessels during pre-deployment live-fire events,” Lobree said. “Their durability and survivability are invaluable and really have made a big impact on fleet operational readiness over the years.”

The target boats have special features such as an above-deck fuel tank that can be easily replaced. Some of them will use Mercury Diesel Spark Ignition outboards “to fulfill Navy fueling requirements.”

The first boats built under the new contract are to be delivered in March 2024.