Article Posted on : - Apr 27, 2012

Joint High Speed Vessel USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1). An Austal photo.

WASHINGTON (BNS): USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), the high-speed catamaran transport ship under construction by shipbuilder Austal for the US military has successfully completed Builder's Sea Trials (BST) in the Gulf of Mexico.

The trials held on April 19 encompassed over 50 demonstration events that enabled the shipbuilder to rigorously test the ship and all of its systems in preparation for final inspection by the United States Navy before delivery, Austal said.

Notable achievements during the trials included a demonstration of major systems along with first-of-class standardisation and maneuverability trials, reaching a top speed in excess of 35 knots, according to the Company.

A series of high-speed ahead and astern maneuvers in the Gulf of Mexico demonstrated the effectiveness of the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV 1) four steerable waterjets.

In the course of repeated high-speed turns the ship demonstrated the stability and agility of the catamaran hullform, with the JHSV exhibiting virtually no heeling motions throughout the radical turns, it said.

Austal is currently under contract with the US Navy to build nine JHSVs under a 10-ship, US$1.6 billion contract and five 127-metre Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class vessels, four of which are a part of a 10-ship, US$3.5 billion contract.

For the LCS and JHSV programmes, Austal, as prime contractor, is teamed with General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics.

The 103-meter catamaran is a multi-use platform, capable of providing rapid intra-theatre deployment and transportation of personnel, equipment and supplies, while supporting military logistics, sustainment and humanitarian relief operations.

The vessels will be a joint-use platform between the United States Army and Navy.