On April 28, 2009, Austal completed the Initial Critical Design Review (ICDR) in its contract with the U.S. Navy for the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV). During the ICDR, the Austal team provided a comprehensive summary of the critical areas of the JHSV design for Navy approval to proceed to Final Critical Design Review, the next critical milestone.
Austal’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Joe Rella, said, “The team now enters the Transitional Design Phase with production of the lead JHSV to commence later this year.”
In November 2008, Austal was awarded the contract to design and build the US Department of Defense’s next generation multi-use platform, the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV). As prime contractor, Austal will design and construct the lead 103-meter JHSV, with options for nine additional vessels expected to be exercised between FY09 and FY13. The Austal JHSV team includes platform systems engineering agent General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (GDAIS) responsible for the design, integration, and test of the ship’s electronic systems, including an open architecture computing infrastructure (OPEN CI), internal and external communications, electronic navigation, aviation, and armament systems.
The JHSV will provide rapid intra-theater deployment/transportation of personnel, equipment and supplies supporting military logistics, sustainment, and humanitarian relief operations at speeds of 35-43 knots. JHSV will transport medium-size units with their vehicles, or reconfigure to provide troop transport for an infantry battalion allowing units to transit operational distances while maintaining unit integrity. The vessel has a flight deck for helicopter operations and an off-load ramp that will allow vehicles to quickly drive on/off the ship. The ramp will enable use of austere piers and quay walls common in developing countries and the ship’s shallow draft (under 15 feet) will further enhance theater port access.