It performed magnificently. But check out this release...
USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), the innovative high-speed catamaran transport ship under construction by shipbuilder Austal in Mobile, Alabama, successfully completed Builder's Sea Trials (BST) on April 19 in the Gulf of Mexico. The trials encompassed over 50 demonstration events that enabled the shipbuilder to rigorously test the ship and all of its systems in preparation for final inspection by the United States Navy before delivery.On this one I'll admit that my views are "evolving"...
Notable achievements during the trials included a demonstration of major systems along with first-of-class standardization and maneuverability trials, reaching a top speed in excess of 35 knots.
A series of high-speed ahead and astern maneuvers in the Gulf of Mexico demonstrated the effectiveness of the ship’s four steerable waterjets. In the course of repeated high-speed turns the ship demonstrated the stability and agility of the catamaran hullform, with the JHSV exhibiting virtually no heeling motions throughout the radical turns.
Upon returning from the full-power trial, Joe Rella, President and Chief Operating Officer of Austal USA, remarked: “The successful first run trials for this prototype vessel validates the quality and reliability of Austal’s shipbuilding know-how. I have never witnessed a more problem-free Builder’s Sea Trial than USNS Spearhead’s. The global Austal organization successfully participated in the design, procurement, and production of this ship with a great outcome, all being accomplished while locally, Austal USA continues to hire new workers and expand our facilities. This is a telltale sign of the dedication of our team of shipbuilding professionals.
I think it has merit as a multirole ship. Mike at New Wars must be laughing hysterically right now. My conversion to his Fords not Cadillacs Navy is almost complete. But my thinking on this I believe is sound.
If we're going to a containerized, module type system for various tasks then why not use a ship that can carry numerous models of the same?
It has the deck space to easily perform the anti-mine mission set, the only stopping point might be a need to reorganize the interior .
It should be capable of mounting missile launchers on it fantail/landing platform so that it can fire whatever missile the Navy chooses to fight off small boats at distance and of course it can act as a mother ship for Riverines/a fast transport for Marines conducting raids and a host of other missions.
Every mission that the LCS is designed to do with the exception of close combat can probably be better handled with a ship the size of the JHSV.
Conversion complete.
You might also want to look at the Sea Fighter X-ship the navy built: a lot of similarities but designed from the ground up for a modular weapons fit, deck spots for 2 helicopters and 2 RHIBs.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Fighter
The JSHV is being built as a naval auxiliary vice sealift ship. It had four positions capable of mounting ROSAM weapons. I has a sophisticated command suite (for a small naval auxiliary).
ReplyDeleteBut most of all, it has payload capacity and mission deck flexibility comparable to LCS. No it is not a combatant built to NVR as is LCS but JHSV do not cost close to $500 mil either.
This class should be winners, and the USN cut the buy to 10? dahh
Sea Fighter is strictly an R&D test bed for ONR. vice JHSV which will be deployed with MSC and amphibs.
additionally i would add that the JHSV has much more carriage for troops. i said that to say that the JHSV appears to be much more flexible...especially in light of where the Navy is going with modularity.
ReplyDeletethe JHSV is setup for intra-theather troop lift up to 96 hours in duration. But that capability can be extended.
ReplyDelete