Joint High Speed Vessel USNS Choctaw County (JHSV 2) successfully completed Acceptance Trials (AT) on May 3, 2013, in the Gulf of Mexico. This milestone achievement involved the performance of intense comprehensive tests by the Navy while underway, which demonstrated the successful operation of the ship’s major systems and equipment. This is the last significant milestone before delivery of the ship, which is expected in June.

This vessel is the second of ten JHSVs that Austal has been contracted by the Navy to build in its Mobile, Ala. shipyard. The Navy selected Austal as the prime for this $1.6 billion contract in 2008. Austal’s teaming partner, General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (a business unit of General Dynamics) is the ship systems integrator, responsible for the design, integration and testing of the navigation and communications systems, C4I, and aviation systems.

Craig Perciavalle, Austal USA President, had this to say regarding the successful completion of Acceptance Trials: “The completion of this major milestone for this second-in-class vessel demonstrates the maturity of the JHSV program. With the first ship delivered just five months ago, the second making final preparations for delivery now, and three more under construction at this time, this program is now progressing well and we are excited about the prospects for the use of these incredible ships in the future Navy fleet.”

Perciavalle complimented Austal’s hard-working shipyard staff by saying, “The completion of this significant milestone would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of so many people. The JHSV Team represented Austal extremely well and should be very proud of this accomplishment and in the support they are providing our great Navy.”

As the U.S. Department of Defense’s multi-use platform, the 103-meter JHSV will provide rapid intra-theater deployment/transportation of personnel, equipment and supplies. The vessel will support military logistics, sustainment and humanitarian relief operations at speeds of up to 43 knots. The JHSV will transport medium-size operational units with their vehicles, or reconfigure to provide troop transport for an infantry battalion, allowing units to transit long distances while maintaining unit integrity. The vessel also supports helicopter operations and has a slewing vehicle ramp on the starboard quarter which enables use of austere piers and quay walls, common in developing countries. A shallow draft (under 4 meters) will further enhance theater port access.

USNS Choctaw County (JHSV 2) will soon be followed by USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3) which Austal will launch in June. Austal and the Navy celebrated the laying of the keel for Fall River (JHSV 4) at a ceremony in the shipyard on May 20 and construction is well underway on USNS Trenton (JHSV 5) also.

Austal USA is a full-service shipyard offering design, construction, service and repair. Austal has been contracted by the U.S. Navy to build ten 103-meter JHSVs and eight 127-meter Independence-variant LCS class ships (including USS Independence (LCS 2), delivered to the Navy in 2009), six of which are a part of a 10-ship, $3.5 billion contract.

About Austal

Austal is a global defense prime contractor. The Company designs, constructs and maintains revolutionary platforms such as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) for the U.S. Navy, as well as an extensive range of patrol and auxiliary vessels for defense forces and government agencies globally. Austal also designs, installs, integrates and maintains sophisticated communications, radar and command and control systems.

Austal benefits from its position as a world leader in the design, construction and support of customized, high-performance aluminum vessels for the commercial high-speed ferry market, an achievement gained over a period of nearly 25 years.

Austal’s primary facilities comprise a dedicated defense shipyard in Mobile, Alabama; a dedicated defense shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia; and a dedicated commercial shipyard in Balamban, Philippines. The Company also provides vessel support services from its facilities in the United States, Australia, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Learn more

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For further information contact:
Craig Hooper, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and External Affairs
Michelle Bowden, Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Tel: 251-434-8000
Fax: 251-445-7476
Email: michelle.bowden@austalusa.com
Website: www.austal.com