The new joint high speed vessel is under construction, and is expected to be christened in January of 2013.
The U.S. Navy says it plans to name a new joint high speed vessel under construction the "Millinocket," after the northern Maine community. That's according to Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who says she's "delighted" with the name chosen for the ship.
"Millinocket is a proud community that was built on a rich history of hard work, determination, and perseverance," Collins says in a statement. "These are the same qualities that will be reflected in all those who serve aboard the Millinocket for years to come."
The ship is being build in Mobile, Alabama, and is tentatively scheduled to be christened in January of 2013. The Navy plans to use the joint high speed vessels for quick transportation of troops, military vehicles and equipment.
In February, the Navy decommissioned another ship with Maine ties, the USS Stephen W. Groves. Groves was a 25-year-old Navy Ensign from East Millinocket who died in the Battle of Midway during World War II.
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Austal Joint High Speed Vessel USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) completes Builder’s Sea Trials
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.
Austal begins final assembly of JHSV 3
JHSV 3 one of five Navy Vessels Under Construction at Austal USA
The third Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) is taking shape on the waterfront in Mobile, Alabama. The first of 43 modules for JHSV 3 have been successfully transported from the Module Manufacturing Facility (MMF) and erected in the final assembly bay on the waterfront.
The most recent module transported, at just under 90 per cent complete, is 20.4 metres long with a maximum width of 8.3 metres and is 9.4 metres high from keel to main deck. The module weighed just under 46 tonnes at time of erection.
JHSV 3 is one of five Navy vessels currently under construction at Austal’s Mobile, Alabama shipyard. Construction on JHSV 3 began in October 2011 and this module is one of the first that will be erected for the JHSV 3 Keel Laying Ceremony scheduled for May 3, 2012.
Austal was selected as prime contractor in November 2008 to design and build the first JHSV, with options for nine additional vessels expected to be exercised between FY09 and FY13 as part of a program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion. Austal has received construction contracts from the Navy for nine of the ten vessels.
Austal sets keel of US Navy’s JHSV 3
Three Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) currently under construction
On May 3, 2012, Austal held a keel-laying ceremony for the third Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), one of nine Austal-designed 103-metre US Navy Joint High Speed Vessels under contract with the US Navy. Austal invited Representative Jo Bonner to authenticate the keel. He was assisted by Jeff Cellon who is an “A” Class welder that has been part of the Austal team since May of 2010.
A traditional keel-laying ceremony marks the first significant milestone in the construction of the ship. Due to Austal’s modular approach to ship manufacture, 32 of the 43 modules used to form this 103-metre aluminum catamaran design are already being assembled. For Austal, keel-laying marks the beginning of final assembly. Five modules have been moved from Austal’s Module Manufacturing Facility (MMF) and erected in the final assembly bay in their pre-launch position. The rest will follow over the coming months.
“Fifty-three years ago, when there were 860 ships in the fleet, a relatively small combatant, the USS Eversole, was at the right place at the right time, rescuing 14 fishermen from contested dangerous waters,” said Joe Rella, President and Chief Operating Officer of Austal USA. “The JHSV, as the future utilitarian workhorse of the support fleet, can serve a similar role, and help the US Navy be where it needs to be to prevent crises and to support the nation’s other national security priorities.”
Austal was selected as prime contractor in November 2008 to design and build the first JHSV, with options for nine additional vessels expected to be exercised between FY09 and FY13 as part of a program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion. Eight of the nine options have been exercised providing Austal with nine total JHSV construction contracts awarded to date.
The JHSV is a relatively new asset that will be an important Navy connector. In peacetime, JHSVs will be operating forward supporting Navy Expeditionary Combat Command and riverine forces, theater cooperating missions, Seabees, Marine Corps and Army transportation. Each JHSV also supports helicopter operations and has a slewing vehicle ramp on the starboard quarter which enables use of austere piers and quay walls, common in developing countries. A shallow draft (under 4 metres) will further enhance theater port access.
USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) was christened on September 17, 2011, and successfully completed builders’ trials in April in preparation for upcoming acceptance trials. Austal held a keel-laying ceremony for Choctaw County (JHSV 2) in November 2011. This ship is about 77 per cent complete and scheduled for launch later this year.
Austal is also currently preparing a second US Navy Independence-variant 127-metre Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class vessel, Coronado (LCS 4), for builder’s sea trials. USS Independence (LCS 2) has transitioned to her home port of San Diego. As prime contractor for the next LCS 10-ship contract, awarded by the US Navy at the end of 2010, Austal has also begun work on the first ship of that contract, Jackson (LCS 6), with Montgomery (LCS 8), Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) and Omaha (LCS 12) also under 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 US Navy meet any national security contingency ahead.
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ReplyDeletegood article WDR.