Mine Warfare Command News

HSV 2 Swift, the Incat-built U.S. Navy high speed Wave Piercing Catamaran delivered by the Hobart, Tasmania-based shipyard last month, has completed the fastest ever transit of the northern Great Barrier Reef from Cairns to Booby Island. The distance is 488 n.m. pilot to pilot and on August 31 the Swift covered the distance in 12.5 hours at an average speed of 39.04 knots. The speed takes into account the period required to slow down to embark and disembark the pilot and once underway the transit was made at an actual speed of over 40 knots.

Low intensity conflict, littoral warfare, special forces that can be whisked ashore at a moment's notice-all familiar terms to describe just how the military must transform to fight the ongoing global war on terrorism, and the battles of the 21st century. For this very reason, the Navy's Military Sealift Command, or MSC, chartered two high-speed vessels-HSV Swift and HSV Westpac Express-sleek, stealthy, high-speed catamarans with a multitude of mission capabilities to meet today's security challenges, including: mine warfare, maritime interdiction, littoral warfare, humanitarian assistance, as well as the ability to quickly deploy troops to a combat zone.

The United States Navy’s High Speed Vessel (HSV) 2 SWIFT will make a port call to Naval Station Norfolk in early February. SWIFT will visit Norfolk to showcase the latest platform being used in support of the Department of Defense’s transformational experimentation. and the Department of the Army for operations in the littoral environment. associated with vessels whose high speed, shallow draft and extraordinary manoeuvrability open unprecedented opportunities for littoral operations, and will demonstrate the value of an open architecture design that allows the HSV to be reconfigured for a variety of missions. deployment eleven days later.

The Navy's newest experimental ship sailed into Pearl Harbor July 5 to participate in the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004 exercise. Of the 40 ships in RIMPAC, this ship stands out as unique. The High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV) 2 is a 321-foot catamaran drawing only 11 feet of draft, with a top speed of almost 50 knots powered by its four swivel water jets. According to Chief Mineman Paul Bertsch, Swift's engineering department head, HSV's primary focus during RIMPAC will be mine counter-measures, to include deploying divers and underwater robotic vehicles to seek out and disarm mines.

By Lara B. Mathews and Karim K. High-speed aluminum vessels are well-recognized and established as providing excellent service in a number of capacities by both private and public operators. These uses include leisure travel and tours and mass transportation of passengers and vehicles. In recent years, the U.S. military has joined the ranks of high-speed vessel users by introducing U.S.-built aluminum twin-hull high-speed vessels for use as Theater Support Vessels (TSVs) and for training exercises. Despite a somewhat uncertain funding climate for these types of vessels in the military, they have performed exceptionally well with demonstrated benefits. The U.S.

A Wärtsilä Lips LJ210E reversible waterjet. What was once a way to makes waves with small craft, contemporary high-powered waterjet propulsion systems are winding up on bigger vessels including warships. Why waterjets? They are simple and reliable, with the pump impellor turning at a constant speed and flow in one direction. Engine loading is constant. In most cases a gearbox is not required. The entire propulsion system receives less stress and requires less maintenance. Waterjets have plenty of pickup, can sustain high speed operations, but can stop on a dime by reversing thrust. They’re responsive, and idea for precise maneuvering or station keeping. Waterjets can be used in very shallow water. There’s no screw to foul.

The Navy announced today that the first four Littoral Combat Ships LCS) will be homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif. scale. efficiencies are developed. Quadrennial Defense Review. establish synergy between the ships and with local commands," said Vice Adm. Terry Etnyre, commander, Naval Surface Forces, based in Coronado, Calif. innovative and tailored mission modules. unmanned vehicles, off-board sensors, and mission-manning detachments. warfighting missions. warship designed to provide assured access for our joint forces. carrier strike groups, expeditionary strike groups or surface strike groups. The innovative concepts in LCS do not end with its modularity. maintenance, logistics, training and administration. Independence (LCS 2), on Jan. 19, 2006.

The new Catamaran HSV 2 Swift was delivered to the U.S. Navy yesterday during a celebration in Hobart, Australia. High ranking US Military officers joined with invited guests to witness the handover of the 98 metre Wave Piercing Catamaran HSV 2 Swift, Incat Hull 061. Guests were welcomed on board HSV 2 Swift by His Excellency The Honourable Sir Guy Green, AC, KBE, CVO, Governor of Tasmania. With the Royal Australian Air Force band playing, flags flying and the usual pomp and ceremony associated with such events, the 80 or so US officers and crew were joined by representatives of the Australian Defence Force, invited guests and the entire Incat workforce.

The Australian marine industry is noted for building large, fast, efficient vessels, primarily for commercial ferry purposes. But as coastal patrol needs grow, so too do the military applications for these amazing breeds. Following is a brief review of some of the recent news from Down Under. Hobart-based shipbuilder Incat is emerging from a challenging year with news of not one, but two orders for the United States military. Just three weeks after the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) announced the lease of their first Theater Support for the Army from Bollinger/Incat USA. Military Sealift Command (MSC), Washington, D.C., also announced a contract for a 322-ft. (98-m) craft from Bollinger/Incat USA, to support U.S. Navy Mine Warfare Command.

USAV TSV-1X Spearhead has been completed at the Incat shipyard in Hobart to meet US Army requirements and delivered to owner Bollinger/Incat USA for charter to the US Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM). Speaking to the official party and distinguished guests at the acceptance ceremony, Incat Chairman Robert Clifford said “The United States Army is to be soundly congratulated for having the foresight and vision to recognise the capability of our craft and the contribution they can make towards Transformation. They are to be congratulated also for taking that vision to the next step – not just studying it and talking about it, but actually moving forward and doing it”.

The U. S. Military Sealift Command has chartered a 319-ft. (97.22M), high speed catamaran theater support vessel (TSV), now under construction at Hobart, Tasmania, Australia from Bollinger/Incat USA, LLC, for use as a test platform by the U. S. Navy’s Mine Warfare Command. The one-year lease has options for up to an additional 47 months and is the third similar vessel chartered from Bollinger/Incat by elements of the U. S. Department of Defense. “We are delighted with this new contract,” said Chris Bollinger, President of Bollinger/Incat, “as it is an affirmation of positive, on-going test results of Incat hull 050, JOINT VENTURE (HSV-X1), the first vessel chartered by the U.

Incat has confirmed a contract for with the U.S. Military. Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting arm that will lease the craft from Bollinger/Incat USA, LLC, Lockport, La., to support U.S. Navy Mine Warfare Command. The contract comes just three weeks after the US Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM) announced the lease of their first Theater Support Vessel TSV –1X Spearhead (Incat hull 060) for the Army from Bollinger/Incat USA. The craft will be developed from a part built commercial vessel (Incat Hull 061) currently under construction at the Hobart, Tasmania shipyard with delivery of the vessel to Ingleside, Texas in June, 2003. Incat’s U.S.