News Review: US Navy green light for JHSV 4 and 5 | ADM Jul 2010
The US Navy has exercised contract options funding Austal’s acquisition of long lead-time equipment for the construction of two additional Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV).
The 103 metre catamarans will be built at Austal USA’s yard in Mobile, Alabama.
As the prime contractor, Austal already has contracts to build the first three JHSVs as part of a 10-vessel program valued at up to $US2 billion.
This new award prepares the way for construction of JHSV 4 and 5.
Long lead-time material for these craft will include main propulsion engines, water jets, reduction gears and other major equipment items.
“This award signifies the US Navy’s continued commitment to the JHSV program and confidence in Austal’s ability to reliably deliver the predecessor ships on time and budget,” Austal USA President and COO Joe Rella said.
“The long lead-time material contract award also ensures employment continuity for our US workforce.”
Austal was awarded the initial contract to design and build the first JHSV in November 2008, with contracts for an additional two vessels awarded in January this year.
Options for the remaining seven vessels are expected to be awarded between FY10 and FY13.
Similar to the Austal-built “WestPac Express” operated by the US Marines for the past eight years, the JHSV will be capable of transporting troops and their equipment, supporting humanitarian relief efforts, and reaching speeds in excess of 35 knots fully loaded.
The vessels will be a joint-use platform operated by both the United States Army and Navy.
Construction of JHSV 1 Spearhead is currently underway; construction of JHSV 2 is scheduled to commence in September this year, with JHSV 3 to commence in mid-2011.
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is the platform mission systems engineering agent responsible for the design, integration and test of the ship’s electronic mission systems, including an open architecture computing infrastructure, internal and external communications, electronic navigation, aviation and armament systems.