Navy Looks to Expand Operational Use of Joint High Speed Vessels

The U.S. Navy has deployed its Joint High Speed Vessel at international military exercises as the branch aims to extend the platform’s function beyond transporting cargo and personnel, DoD Buzz reported Monday.

Kris Osborn writes the military service is looking to use JHSVs to complement amphibious ships or other maritime platforms for logistical, anti-trafficking, security and medical support missions.

“There are plans to put them in every combatant command area of responsibility,” Johnny Michael, a Navy spokesman, told DoD Buzz.

“They are going to be everywhere.”

JHSV is designed to transport up to 600 tons of equipment, travel at a speed of more than 35 knots and launch and recover rotary-wing aircraft.

Austal USA has built five JHSVs for the Navy under a 10-ship contract and is scheduled to deliver the sixth and seventh vessels in 2016, according to Osborn’s article.

The operational vessels participated in multinational maritime exercises this year such as the Obangame Express, Pacific Partnership and Southern Partnership Station, the report said.