Honolulu naval architect Navatek Ltd. has received a $2 million contract to design a Navy prototype ship that can deliver tanks and other heavy equipment onto a beachhead.

Navatek's proposal for the so-called T-Craft project uses an amphibious transporter that can be launched from a specially designed ship. The transporter could then carry troops and equipment from ship to shore. Navatek hopes the contract will eventually be worth $160 million, if all options are exercised.

"If our preliminary $2 million design is accepted, we move to phase two where we would receive an additional $10 million to produce and model-test a detailed design of the ship," said Navatek President Steven Loui in a written statement. "If awarded the phase three work, Navatek will receive an estimated $150 million to design, build and test a 350-foot prototype craft."

The project is part of a Navy concept called sea basing, which involves rapidly moving tanks equipment and supporting materials from ships onto beaches during wartime maneuvers and humanitarian relief operations.

Navatek is the prime contractor on the project. Subcontractors working on the deal include: AMSEC Rosenblatt, General Dynamics Robotics Systems and Land Systems, Oceaneering International, SAIC, Atlantic Marine Florida LLC, and Materials Sciences Corporation.

The T-Craft project follows an $8.5 million contract won by Navatek and Maryland-based General Dynamics Robotics Systems earlier this year. Under that deal, the companies will build two prototypes of an unmanned surface vehicle. The total value of that contract, if all options are exercised, is $11.3 million, according to Navatek.

Navatek was founded in 1979 and operates out of offices in Honolulu with 45 employees. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pacific Marine, founded in 1944, which has 350 employees and annual revenues of $73 million.

Reach Sean Hao at shao@honoluluadvertiser.com.