Austal has received word to move forward with the construction contract for the fourth and fifth vessels of the US Department of Defense’s next-generation multi-use platform, the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), as part of a program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion.
Austal received funding previously from the Navy, valued at US$99,557,548, to acquire long lead-time material, to include diesel engines, water jets and reduction gears, for these two vessels in June 2010.
The additional work is valued at approximately US$204.6 million.
As prime contractor, Austal was awarded the construction contract for the first 103-metre JHSV in November 2008, with options for nine additional vessels expected to be exercised between FY09 and FY13.
The Austal JHSV team includes platform systems engineering agent General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems who is responsible for the design, integration and test of the ship’s mission systems, including internal and external communications, electronic navigation, and aviation and armament systems.
Austal received authorisation from the Navy to start construction on the first US Army vessel of the contract, Spearhead (JHSV 1, pictured in construction), in December 2009.
A formal Keel Laying Ceremony was held for Spearhead at Austal’s Mobile, Alabama shipyard on July 22 2010, and it is on schedule for launch in June 2011 and delivery in December 2011.
Construction on Vigilant (JHSV 2), the first Navy vessel, began in Austal’s Module Manufacturing Facility on September 13.