Austal has officially delivered the first Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), to the United States Navy. The USNS Spearhead completed Acceptance Trials in September and will sail away later this year.
Fast, Flexible and Manoeuverable
The 103 metre (338 foot) long aluminium catamarans are designed to be fast, flexible and manoeuverable even in shallow waters, making them ideal for transporting troops and equipment quickly. The ship has the ability to support a variety of operations, supporting the warfighter through traditional logistics missions, humanitarian support projects, disaster response or by supporting maritime law enforcement activities.
Nine JHSVs and Five LCSs
Austal is currently under contract with the US Navy to build nine 103-metre JHSVs under a ten-ship, US $ 1.6 billion contract and five 127-metre Independence-variant LCS class ships, four of which are a part of a ten-ship, US $ 3.5 billion contract.
General Dynamics to Supply Electronic Systems
Austal acts as prime contractor for both programs, but is teamed with General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics. As the ship systems integrator, General Dynamics is responsible for the design, integration and testing of the ship’s electronic systems including the combat system, networks, and seaframe control.
These two contracts will require Austal to increase its Mobile, Alabama workforce to approximately 4,000 employees in order to fulfil the contract requirements.
