News Review: US Navy's 1st Joint High-Speed vessel christened | ADM November 2011

USNS Spearhead, the first of the US Navy’s Joint High-Speed Vessels (JHSV) designed for rapid intra-theater transport of troops and military equipment, was christened in September during a ceremony at the Austal USA yard where she was built in Mobile, Alabama.

She and the other JHSVs ordered from Austal will be owned and operated by US Military Sealift Command. Spearhead will be crewed by 22 civil service mariners working for MSC who will operate, navigate and maintain the ship.

The 338-foot-long aluminum catamarans are designed to be fast, flexible and maneuverable, even in shallow waters, making them ideal for transporting troops and equipment quickly within a theater of operations.

The JHSVs are capable of transporting 600 short tons of military troops, vehicles, supplies and equipment 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots and can operate in shallow-draft waterways and austere ports, providing added mobility and flexibility to deployed forces. The JHSVs’ aviation flight decks can support day and night flight operations. Each JHSV also has sleeping accommodation for up to 146 personnel and airline-style seating for up to 312.

Following acceptance trials, delivery to the Navy and operational testing, Spearhead will be based in Little Creek, Virginia, and is expected to begin conducting missions for the Navy late in 2012 or early 2013.

As MSC assets, all of the JHSVs will be civilian-crewed. The first four – including Spearhead – will be crewed by federally employed civil service mariners while the remaining will be crewed by civilian mariners working for private companies under contract to MSC. Military mission personnel will embark as required by the mission sponsors.

Subject: Sea