DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: New US Navy High-Speed Ship Unveiled

DTN News - DEFENSE NEWS: New US Navy High-Speed Ship Unveiled

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith 
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 14, 2013: The US Navy has unveiled the USNS Spearhead - its first Joint High Speed Vessel, capable of transporting troops and equipment more quickly than ever before.

The USNS Spearhead is the Navy's first Joint High Speed Vessel. It is designed for rapid intra-theatre transport of troops and military equipment.

The ship was built in Mobile, Alabama and is docking in St Petersburg, Florida for a few days so top military brass at MacDill Air Force Base and Central Command can tour the ship.
It is a 338-ft long catamaran that can transport 600 tonnes vehicles, supplies and equipment.

"When we're going fast it feels very much like you're flying in an airplane," said Captain Douglas Casavant.

USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), the innovative high-speed catamaran transport ship under construction by shipbuilder Austal in Mobile, Alabama, successfully completed Builder's Sea Trials (BST) on April 19 in the Gulf of Mexico. The trials 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.

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

A series of high-speed ahead and astern maneuvers in the Gulf of Mexico demonstrated the effectiveness of the ship’s 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.

Upon returning from the full-power trial, Joe Rella, President and Chief Operating Officer of Austal USA, remarked: “The successful first run trials for this prototype vessel validates the quality and reliability of Austal’s shipbuilding know-how. I have never witnessed a more problem-free Builder’s Sea Trial than USNS Spearhead’s. The global Austal organization successfully participated in the design, procurement, and production of this ship with a great outcome, all being accomplished while locally, Austal USA continues to hire new workers and expand our facilities. This is a telltale sign of the dedication of our team of shipbuilding professionals.”

Austal's US facility is a full-service shipyard offering design, construction and high-speed vessel service and repair. As Austal continues to expand its service and repair capabilities, the company is well positioned for new business with engineering, test and trials capabilities, and a new waterfront facility all co-located on the Mobile Bay waterfront.

Austal is currently under contract with the U.S. Navy to build nine 103-metre 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 programs, Austal, as prime contractor, is teamed with General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics. As the ship systems integrator, General Dynamics is responsible for the design, integration and testing of the ship’s electronic systems including the combat system, networks, and seaframe control. General Dynamics’ proven open architecture approach allows for affordable and efficient capability growth as technologies develop.

Austal has grown into one of southern Alabama’s largest employers with over 2,800 employees on staff hailing from the Mobile Area, Mississippi, Florida, and beyond. Under the current workload, Austal expects to employ over 4,000 Americans by the end of 2013, and will be ready to help the U.S. Navy meet any national security contingency ahead.

Read the Team Ships news release here..

Click here for further information on the JHSV

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith DTN News
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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News: Malta Happy With Patrol Boat Construction

DTN News: Malta Happy With Patrol Boat Construction

*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media (NSI News Source Info) VALLETTA, Malta - July 4, 2009: The construction of four patrol boats for the Armed Forces of Malta is well on schedule and they should be delivered in six months. The AFM signed a contract with Austal Ships, a world leading manufacturer, following an international call for tenders, which included training sailors and engineers. This was the shipbuilder's first defence contract in Europe. One the four patrol boats being built for the Armed Forces of Malta in Western Australia. Photo: Austal Ships The patrol boats, being constructed in Western Australia, are more than 20 metres long and reach a maximum speed of 26 knots. Lieutenant Colonel Martin Sammut, the project's team leader, said the excellent relationship established with the shipbuilder promised the delivery of the best product in line with the agreed requirements. The patrol boats are equipped with better communication and surveillance equipment when compared to the type installed in the vessels now in use by the armed forces. The boats include a rigid hull inflatable boat stowed and launched off a ramp on the main deck. The squadron maintains the integration of the islands' territorial waters, combats drug trafficking, conducts illegal immigration and illegal fishing operations and operates a search and rescue service. In all, the boats cost €9.6 million, but the government will only be forking out 25 per cent of the cost, the rest coming from the EU's External Borders Fund.

DTN News: US Navy Orders Material For Additional Austal JHSVs

DTN News: US Navy Orders Material For Additional Austal JHSVs *Sources: DTN News / Austal ~ Australia (NSI News Source Info) HENDERSON, Western Australia - June 23, 2009: The US Navy has exercised contract options funding Austal’s acquisition of long lead-time material associated with the construction of two additional 103-metre Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV). In October 2005, Austal/General Dynamics was awarded a contract to build the first of their design for a Littoral Combat Ship. The keel of the future USS Independence (LCS-2) was laid on 19 January 2006 at Austal USA's yard in Mobile, Alabama, and the naming ceremony was held on 4 October 2008. The LCS 2 is the first ship built by Austal USA for the U.S. Navy and the Navy’s first Trimaran Littoral Combat Ship. It is the first naval warship constructed in Mobile, Alabama since World War II. The basis of Austal's seaframe design is the 127 metre trimaran hull 'Benchijigua Express'. In November 2008, Austal has won the contract to design and build the US Department of Defence’s next generation high-speed catamaran, multi-use platform, the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), as part of a program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion. As Prime contractor, Austal will design and construct the first 103-metre JHSV, with options for 9 additional vessels expected to be exercised between FY09 and FY13. The new JHSV is similar to the Austal-built WestPac Express operated by the US Marines for the past seven years. Austal was awarded the initial contract to design and build the first 103 metre JHSV in November 2008. The contract included options for nine additional vessels to be awarded between FY09 and FY13. Each JHSV is valued at approximately AUD $225 million, with the potential 10-vessel program valued at approximately AUD $2.3 billion. Austal USA President and COO, Joe Rella said, “Due to on-time performance and high quality results during our design reviews with the Navy, and the efficiency of our material procurement to date, we have earned the confidence of the Navy to make this award. This is a testament to the quality products of our Program, Design, Production Control and Procurement teams.” Long lead-time material for the additional vessels will include diesel engines, water jets and reduction gears. Similar to the Austal-built “WestPac Express” operated by the US Marines for the past seven years, the JHSV will be capable of transporting troops and their equipment, supporting humanitarian relief efforts, operating in shallow waters 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 the first JHSV is scheduled to commence at Austal’s US shipyard in November.

Maltese Armed Forces Order Patrol Craft Fleet

Maltese Armed Forces Order Patrol Craft Fleet

(NSI News Source Info) February 19, 2009: Austal has secured its first European defence contract with an order for four 21.2 metre inshore patrol craft - including training and spares support - with the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM).The vessels will be built at Austal’s Australian facilities and are scheduled for delivery by the end of the year. Intended to assist the AFM with surveillance and border protection throughout Malta’s coastal waters, the vessels will have a maximum speed of more than 26 knots and will be capable of supporting 7.62mm and 12.7mm guns. The new order adds to Austal's current patrol craft contracts comprising six high speed vessels for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and three patrol catamarans for the Queensland Police. Austal also has contracts to design and build the US Navy’s 127 metre Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and 103 metre Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV). Managing Director Bob Browning said Austal was fielding increased interest from nations seeking fast and economical aluminium patrol craft for protection against modern-day coastal border security threats. “Following significant patrol boat deliveries to countries including Yemen, Kuwait and Australia, Austal is pleased to add Malta to its growing defence customer base while making important inroads into the traditionally self-reliant European defence market,” Mr Browning said. Austal was awarded the contract following a competitive international tender process, which called for a proven design that addressed specific AFM requirements, as well as meeting a demanding delivery schedule. Once completed, the order will bring Austal’s total number of defence vessels to more than 60, including the 14 Armidale Class patrol boats built for the Royal Australian Navy, 10 vessels for Yemen and eight Australian Customs vessels. Austal Vice President - Global Defence Sales, John Caccivio said Austal’s advanced aluminium defence platforms - typified by their speed, shallow drafts, flexibility and reduced maintenance costs - were finding increased global relevance. “To now extend our reach to the European defence market – a market that usually shows preference towards domestic builds – underlines not only the uniqueness of the Austal product but also the evolution of maritime security challenges, such as piracy and terrorism, within global littoral waters,” Mr Caccivio said. By utilising a planing aluminium hull, the 21.2 metre inshore patrol craft combines economical performance at all operational speeds with superior seakeeping in varying sea conditions. Speaking at yesterday’s contract signing ceremony in Malta, AMF Lt Col Martin Sammut said the vessels were a logical progression from the AMF’s current fleet. “These patrol vessels will enhance the border surveillance capabilities owing to better sea-keeping characteristics, extended range of operations, and better endurance than the current inshore patrol boats. These aluminium vessels will be operated by a maximum crew of 8 personnel and will be a major improvement in crew comfort and safety owing to better crew accommodation and enhanced catering and messing facilities,” Lt Col Sammut said. AFM responsibilities include maintaining Malta’s territorial waters through combating terrorism and illicit drug trafficking, conducting anti-illegal immigrant and anti-illegal fishing operations, operating Search and Rescue (SAR) services, and physical/electronic security/surveillance of sensitive locations.