US Navy to christen first joint high-speed vessel

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).