The US Navy will christen the first of ten joint high speed vessels (JHSVs), Spearhead, on 17 September 2011 in Mobile, Alabama, US.

Being constructed by Austal USA, the 338ft-long aluminum catamaran warship can transport 600t a distance of 1,200nm at an average speed of 35kt.

The Spearhead vessel can operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways, and is used for day and night air vehicle launch and recovery operations.

The warship will be designated a US naval ship on its delivery to the US Navy Military Sealift Command (MSC).