USNS Spearhead Joint High-Speed Vessel 1

The JHSV program is procuring 10 high-speed transport vessels for the US Army and the US Navy. These vessels will be used for fast intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles and equipment. The JHSV program merges the previous Army Theater Support Vessel (TSV) and the Navy High Speed Connector (HSC) to decrease costs by taking advantage of the inherent commonality between the existing programs. This commercially designed, non-combatant vessel leverages Austal's world-leading commercial technology and does not require the development of any new technology. Significant production and financial risks have been avoided by implementing proven technology, ensuring stable requirements, minimizing change and through the ruthless pursuit of cost reduction and efficiency. It is being built to American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) High Speed Naval Craft Guide. JHSV is capable of transporting 600 short tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots. The ships can operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways, interface with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities, and on/off-load a combat-loaded Abrams Main Battle Tank (M1A2). Read more at http://bit.ly/1GLMUKC