Feature 6 | US Navy
also supports helicopter operations and
has an off-load vehicle ramp that enables
use of austere piers and quay walls,
common in developing countries. A
shallow draft (less than 4m) will further
enhance theatre port access.
The JHSV programme merges
the earlier Army Theater Support
Vessel and the US Navy’s High Speed
Connector, taking advantage of the
inherent commonality between the two
programmes. To leverage the US Navy’s
extensive experience in surface ship
acquisition, PEO Ships has taken the
Computer-generated image showing the austal JHSv concept.
lead on acquisition of both the Army and
Navy high-speed transport vessels. The
first JHSV, an Army vessel, is expected to
NAVSEA says it did not reveal the Austal’s recently constructed Modular deliver in FY2012.
value of the contracts earlier as it was Manufacturing Facility will eventually Austal was selected as prime
considered source-selection sensitive provide a five-fold increase in the contractor for the JHSV in November
information. This was because the price company’s existing construction capacity. 2008, and awarded a contract to design
of the FY2009 ships was to be linked This facility will have the ability to build and build the first JHSV, with options for
to the competitive solicitation for the both the LCS and JHSV. nine additional vessels expected to be
FY2010 ships, but when that solicitation The JHSV programme is providing exercised between FY09 and FY13.
was replaced by a new acquisition a high-speed transport vessel for the As highlighted above, Fortitude
strategy, which did not link the FY2009 US Navy and US Army. The vessels will be the first Austal design to be
prices with those for FY2010-14, the will be used for fast intra-theatre constructed using the new procedures
information could be released. transportation of troops, military and processes developed in conjunction
To pave the way for the start of vehicles and equipment. The ship’s with Austal’s recently competed Module
fabrication, the JHSV programme large volume, high transport speed and Manufacturing Facility (MMF). The
completed an extensive Production inherent flexibility will also make it a MMF provides Austal with assembly line
Readiness Review in October 2009. The key asset for humanitarian and disaster efficiency, resulting in significant cost
design maturity and readiness, availability relief. The JHSV will be capable of savings and reduced lead times.
of materials and components, and the transporting medium-size operational The Austal JHSV team also includes
shipbuilder’s ability to successfully start units with their vehicles, or of being platform systems engineering agent
fabrication were all closely evaluated reconfigured to provide troop transport General Dynamics Advanced Information
and, following the review, the US Navy for an infantry battalion, allowing Systems (GDAIS), who are responsible
granted authorisation for Austal to units to transit long distances while for the design, integration and testing of
begin construction. maintaining unit integrity. The vessel the ship’s electronic systems. WT
austal’s new Module Manufacturing Facility will be used extensively in the construction of the JHSv.
36 Warship Technology March 2010
WT_Mar-2010_p34-35-36.indd 36 23/02/2010 17:01:47
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