Article Posted on : - Sep 29, 2010

An artistic representation of USNS Vigilant joint high speed vessel (JHSV) on sea. Photo: Austal USA

ALASKA (BNS): The construction of the first future USNS Vigilant joint high speed vessel (JHSV 2) for the US Navy has been started at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama.

The JHSV will be used for fast intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles and equipment.

Under the US Navy's Strategic and Theater Sealift Programme (PMS 385), the Programme Executive Office (PEO) Ships is procuring vessels for both the forces of US Army and Navy.

USNS Vigilant (JHSV 2) is a 338 feet long vessel with an overall displacement of 727 tons. It has the ability to carry up to 600 tons of cargo with an average speed of 35 knots. These vessels will replace smaller, slower transport ships for both Navy and Army.

Austal USA will deliver the first future US Army vessel USAV Spearhead (JHSV 1) to US Army by 2012. Vigilant is the second vessel in the class.

"I am proud to see construction begin for the first Navy JHSV," Capt. George M. Sutton, PMS 385 programme manager said.

PEO Ships is responsible for the development and acquisition of US Navy surface ships and is currently managing the design and construction of 10 major surface ships classes and small boats and craft.