Melbourne, Fla.-based Structural Composites has been awarded the Congressional Medal of Merit by Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.). The Innovative Technology Award recognizes the achievement Structural Composites has made in developing and prototyping an Advanced Combatant Craft for the U.S. Navy. The 8.5M (850B) Prototype Advanced Combatant Craft has a hull and deck structure that is 40 percent lighter than the current construction. The design features lightweight composite PRISMAÃ’ preforms that allow for a structure that is lighter and less expensive than sandwich composite construction yet gives the toughness, durability and ease of maintenance only possible with single skin design.