Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV)

[alexandreVBCI]

Yes !

ça fait un moment que j'attends une nouvelle de ce genre, j'ai toujours pensé que ce type de navire rapide avait de l'avenir, tous les retours ont été positifs aux USA sur les différents prototypes.

A terme, je suis sûr qu'en europe on finira bien par comprendre qu'on a besoin de catamarans de transports rapides.

[Fusilier]

Citation de wolfmoy : il me fait penser à un engin présenté lors d'euronaval mais le JHSV peut transporter un CH-53E sur le pont d'envol!

C'est vrai qu'il y a comme un air de famille.:lol:  Mais ce n'est pas du tout le même concept, il me semble ; l'engin US c'est "juste" un ro/ro (ferry?) ultra -rapide...

Des ro/ro "normaux" rapides existent, cf. projets d'autoroutes des mers. L'avantage du cata est, semble-t-il, le plus faible tirant d'eau, qui permet d'utiliser des installations sommaires ; ça c'est pour nos "théoriciens" de la prise d'installation portuaires :lol:

Il sera intéressant d'observer qui va "adopter" ces navires...  "Sea Litf"?  US Navy-Marines?   "U.S. Army ships" ...  

[g4lly]

Citation de wolfmoy : il me fait penser à un engin présenté lors d'euronaval mais le JHSV peut transporter un CH-53E sur le pont d'envol!

C'est vrai qu'il y a comme un air de famille.:lol:  Mais ce n'est pas du tout le même concept, il me semble ; l'engin US c'est "juste" un ro/ro (ferry?) ultra -rapide...

Des ro/ro "normaux" rapides existent, cf. projets d'autoroutes des mers. L'avantage du cata est, semble-t-il, le plus faible tirant d'eau, qui permet d'utiliser des installations sommaires ; ça c'est pour nos "théoriciens" de la prise d'installation portuaires :lol:

Il sera intéressant d'observer qui va "adopter" ces navires...  "Sea Litf"?  US Navy-Marines?   "U.S. Army ships" ...  

Wolfmoy pense a l'ecoship DCNS je crois ... qui est grosso modo le meme bateau :)

http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=108689

D'ailleurs on remarquera que la solution US des ferry rapide intra-theatre est finalement une solution assez sobre, et déjà éprouvé, comparé aux autres tests qu'ils ont mené depuis plus de 10 ans sur le sujet.

Le Westpac utilisé pour le ferry des US Marine, sur lequel est basé le nouveau modele

Speed Vessel (JHSV), as part of a program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion.

As Prime contractor, Austal will design and construct the first 103-metre JHSV, with options for 9 additional vessels expected to be exercised between FY09 and FY13.

Similar to the Austal-built “WestPac Express” operated by the US Marines for the past seven years, the JHSV will be capable of transporting troops and their equipment, supporting humanitarian relief efforts, operating in shallow waters and reaching speeds in excess of 35 knots fully loaded. The vessels will be a joint-use platform operated by both the United States Army and Navy.

Austal Managing Director Bob Browning said, “Being selected as Prime contractor for a major US Department of Defence shipbuilding program demonstrates Austal’s capabilities as a defence supplier.  Austal is very proud to have been selected to build an important part of the US Navy’s fleet.  This 10 vessel program is an important step in Austal's strategy to create longer-term, more predictable earnings for our investors."

The vessels will be built at Austal’s US shipyard located in Mobile, Alabama, where work is continuing on the first phase of a new state-of-the-art Modular Manufacturing Facility (MMF). Upon completion in mid-2009, the first half of the 70,000 m2 MMF will be available for the fabrication of all JHSV modules.

Austal USA’s 1000-strong workforce, which is currently completing the US Navy’s 127 metre Littoral Combat Ship “Independence” (LCS 2), as well as a 113 metre high speed catamaran for Hawaii Superferry, will grow to more than 1500 as a result of the JHSV programme.

“As demonstrated by the two Hawaii Superferry vessels recently constructed at our Mobile, Alabama facilities, our US shipyard has the capability to deliver large high speed advanced aluminium platforms on time and on budget - a capability which will be further enhanced upon completion of the MMF and the expansion of our US workforce,” Mr Browning said.

Sea trials of the recently-christened “Independence” (LCS 2) are scheduled to commence early next year. Mr Browning said the US Navy’s ongoing commitment to a 55-vessel LCS program, as part of its 313 ship fleet, meant there was strong chance Austal would be awarded a second LCS in early 2009.

Austal Chairman John Rothwell said successfully bidding as Prime contractor for the JHSV programme was a fantastic result for the company, which had taken significant steps towards advancing its standing as a defence supplier.

“Austal’s US Defence security clearance was an important factor in winning this contract along with the success of “WestPac Express”, which has been successfully serving with the US Marines in Okinawa, Japan for more than seven years,” Mr Rothwell said.

Austal is teamed with General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, who will design, integrate, and test the JHSV’s electronic systems, including an Open Architecture Computing Infrastructure, internal and external communications, electronic navigation, aviation, and armament systems.

[Fusilier]

Ok, je n'avais pas percuté sur ecoship... :lol:

Il me semble, que l'ecoship est plutot un concept BIS visant à remplacer le BATRAL ; c'est-à-dire transport d'une compagnie.

Pour le JHSV on est en principe dans des capacités de transport de l'ordre de 600 gus...

[g4lly]

Ok, je n'avais pas percuté sur ecoship... :lol:

Il me semble, que l'ecoship est plutot un concept BIS visant à remplacer le BATRAL ; c'est-à-dire transport d'une compagnie.

Pour le JHSV on est en principe dans des capacités de transport de l'ordre de 600 gus...

Le WestPAc transporte 1000pax et 150 vehicule léger ... le JHSV-1 doit faire moins le pont passager etant amputé des installation aero. L'ecoship est effectivement bien plus petit mais le design est vraiment tres proche ... et tres classique, notamment l'absence de porte latérale et le chargement a quai a couple par rampe.

[alexandreVBCI]

La page des vidéos d'Austral : 

http://www.austal.com/go/news-and-images/video?PRODID=346661F8%2DA0CC%2D3C8C%2DD996148A8AF4E550

Tous leurs catamarans militaires : http://www.austal.com/index.cfm?objectid=8CB443B3-65BF-EBC1-2E9AA13F04C0896A

[Invité]

Ok, je n'avais pas percuté sur ecoship... :lol:

Il me semble, que l'ecoship est plutot un concept BIS visant à remplacer le BATRAL ; c'est-à-dire transport d'une compagnie.

le MPV de CNIM  est également dans les rang pour remplacer le Batral.

Vous remarquerez que CNIM laisse la construction aux chantiers naval (DCNS ne sont pas des chantiers naval?°)

[Fusilier]

le MPV de CNIM également est dans les rang pour remplacer le Batral. Vous remarquerez que CNIM laisse la construction aux chantiers naval (DCNS ne sont pas des chantiers naval?°)

Oui, c'est d'ailleurs à l'engin des CNIM que j'avais pensé d'abord en oubliant l'engin de DCNS

[Invité]

je m'en doutais Fusilier, moi aussi je pensais à cet engin  quand j'ai écrit ma remarque

[Philippe Top-Force]

le MPV de CNIM  est également dans les rang pour remplacer le Batral.

Vous remarquerez que CNIM laisse la construction aux chantiers naval (DCNS ne sont pas des chantiers naval?°)

Hypothèse dont on ne saura plus si on n'a pas eu tord de perdre le deal :-[  si DCNS avait placé son BPC à Canberra, et qu'après avoir repris ADI par Thales, pour rassurer les Australiens, la filiale de Thales en Australie Thales Australia achète Austal, on avait la main mise, la plus value et le savoir faire de ces bâtiments, on pouvait ensuite vendre aux USA, des MPV/JHSV/AGNES/N3S/BIS/....tous les sigles que vous voulez. Par ailleurs, dans la lancée on s'accapare des CNIM et CNM. Pour faire un méga industriel DCNS, navalistes, systèmiers, constructeurs navals.

[alexandreVBCI]

Un article sur l'histoire du programme JHSV et sur le contrat d'AUSTAL sur ce site :

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/jhsv-fast-catamaran-transport-program-moves-forward-updated-01535/

[Invité]

vue en coupe du JHSV d'Austal

[Bruno]

De toute la gamme de leurs catamarans militaires ce sont les MRV90 et LCS127 que je préfère. Au moins ils ressemblent encore à des bateaux.

Ce qui rend la formule multicoques das laquelle Austal s'est spécialisée c'est l'excellent ratio entre le tonnage du navire et ses capacités d'accueil/hébergement aéronautique : le MRV90 pourrait par exemple accueillir un EH101 ou un NH90 + un drone

Quand au LCS 127 sa plate-forme fait 30m de large, ça donne une sacré marge pour acueillir 3 hélicos si nécessaires (2 sur le pont + un dans le hangar) ... 

 

[g4lly]

Send the Sea Fighter to Somalia

This April Sea Fighter (FSF 1) is expected to emerge from the repair shop with a fresh suite of point defense weapons and other upgrades/repairs. According to some media reporting, including the Navy's own fact file on the ship on the official US Navy website, Sea Fighter (FSF 1) may be commissioned as a Navy ship. The $20 million dollar upgrade was an earmark from former California representative Duncan Hunter, who believed small, faster vessels will be important in the future fleet for dealing with irregular warfare challenges. For what has become a cost around $100 million dollars since construction, Sea Fighter (FSF 1) displaces around 950 tons, roughly three times smaller than its more capable cousins of the Littoral Combat Ship. $100 million dollars for a first in class ship? There is a catch, the ship was built to commercial standards as a technology demonstrator.

The High Speed Vessel model has proven very successful for humanitarian operations and other low intensity, non warfare related naval activity, but is being adopted in the form of the Littoral Combat Ship to begin addressing challenges for naval forces in the high intensity, complex environments of the littorals. The problem is, everything is still theory. With costs to the LCS program quickly approaching $30 billion and the LCS program giving the impression it could soon be a fast track acquisition process in the near future, $30 billion becomes expensive theory.

So why not send the prototype Sea Fighter (FSF 1), which is reportedly being commissioned into the US Navy anyway, to Somalia and attached to Task Force 151? There is no question the capabilities of Sea Fighter (FSF 1) are limited, apart from addressing very small boat operations this platform comes absent any high intensity warfare capability whatsoever. That isn't trivial, irregular warfare can rapidly and without warning evolve towards hybrid warfare, meaning conventional weapon systems can be introduced into a conflict scenario and create problems. The unexpected use of anti-ship missiles by Hezbollah in their war against Israel is an often cited example.

But there are also good reasons to do it. Sea Fighter can be useful in helping the Navy understand the logistics costs and requirements that they will need for our future littoral ships like LCS, and give some indication regarding the requirements and expectations regarding what a small crew, high speed vessel can do against irregular challenges like piracy.

Capabilities under and over the sea have advantages over capabilities on the sea in naval warfare, aircraft and submarines are simply more agile, more lethal, and are more difficult to counter than ships are in direct war confrontation. However, I believe that sustained presence on the sea will trump presence under or over the sea in dealing with irregular warfare challenges in the littorals where the Rule of Engagement becomes more restricted under the requirements to give more attention to detail in identification of friend and foe.

Combined Task Force 151 is currently made up of three ships:

USS San Antonio (LPD 17) - a 25,000 ton flexible air, sea, and land capable platform with 3 helicopters, several small boat crew, Marines, military police forces, Coast Guard detachments, and command and control capabilities that allow us to coordinate with international naval forces in the region.

USS Mahan (DDG 72) - a ~9,000 ton Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer capable of providing area air defense, land attack, major anti-shipping attacks, with an attached sonar but no helicopter facilities. 30+ knot speed allows this vessel to be very responsive in the convoy corridore that has been established by international partners for protecting shipping and has small boat detachments. The Arleigh Burke class is one of the most heavily armed warships in the world.

HMS Portland (F79) - a ~4900 ton Type 23 Royal Navy anti-submarine frigate that supports a single helicopter, has top speed greater than 28 knots, and has endurance for about 7800 nautical miles. The Royal Navy deploys boat teams from Type 23 frigates and the platform has a long history of sustaining long term operations in the littorals against drug runners and other smuggling activities.

The least expensive of the two US Navy platforms is actually the 25,000 ton LPD-17 which costs roughly $1.7 billion, compared to a new (but more capable than Mahan) Arleigh Burke class ship that costs $2.2+ billion dollars. Sea Fighter isn't perfect, it certainly can't carry the unmanned platform load of the larger LCS but it does have some capabilities for carrying equipment. Like they say with the LCS, the ship is built and we have it so why not use it. At most a slight redesign to build in NVR and the addition of something similar to the simple weapons suite of the LCS, Sea Fighter (FSF 1) would run somewhere in the neighborhood of $150 million dollars.

We intend to buy 8 Arleigh Burke class destroyers at a minimum of $2.2 billion each over the next 6 years. For the same money we could field 80 Sea Fighters (FSF 1) and 10 T-AKEs at $500 million each to support that force. We currently have 62 Arleigh Burke destroyers, is an investment for 8 more Arleigh Burke class destroyers really the right move for the high end heavy surface fleet today, or would the money be used more wisely to do something remotely similar to building 80 smaller platforms in the cost range of Sea Fighter and 10 additional T-AKE logistics ships to support such a force in addressing the irregular challenges emerging in the littorals?

[alexandreVBCI]

We intend to buy 8 Arleigh Burke class destroyers at a minimum of $2.2 billion each over the next 6 years. For the same money we could field 80 Sea Fighters (FSF 1) and 10 T-AKEs at $500 million each to support that force.

Si c'était moi qui devait choisir...  =)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Fighter

[leridan]

Un mail du XO du Swift à son père en 2006:

http://www.jerrypournelle.com/archives2/archives2mail/mail424.html#Sunday

La fin surtout est intéressante:

"SWIFT is a very maneuverable ship and a lot of fun to drive. Using our steerable waterjet nozzles, we can move sideway and twist in place. This enables us to operate without tugs. Our shallow draft of 12 feet enables us to enter ports where most military ships may not. Our vehicle ramp enables us to go to an unimproved or austere port and operate using only our own forklifts. Our mission deck is able to take up to 500 tons of material.

Each of these capabilities on their own is not very unique, but together is very unique.

It is a challenge at times to explain to folks that we are more like a very low flying airplane than a ship. We can carry the equivalent of 17 sorties of an Air Force C-17 in one trip. We can load and deliver it all door to door and don't need a berth."

[g4lly]

http://informationdissemination.blogspot.com/2009/02/austal-jhsv-specifications.html

The Austal JHSV Specifications

Austal has released a nice little brochure (PDF) that includes the JHSV Specifications on their new JHSV website. Below are the specifications as listed.

    GENERAL VESSEL DESCRIPTION
    Vessel Type Joint High Speed Vessel
    Material Aluminum
    Hull Form Round bilge, bulbous bow, catamaran

    PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS
    Length 103.0m (337.9 ft)
    Beam 28.5m (93.5 ft)
    Draft 3.83m (12.57 ft)

    MISSION BAY
    Area (with Tie-Downs) 1,863m2 (20,053 ft2)
    Clear Height 4.75m (15.6 ft)
    Turning Diameter 26.2m (86.0 ft)
    ISO TEU Stations 6 Interface Panels

    ACCOMMODATIONS
    Crew 41
    Single SR 2
    Double SR 6
    Quad SR 7
    Troop Seats 312
    Troop Berths
    Permanent 104
    Temporary 46
    Galley & Messing 48

    PROPULSION
    Main Engines 4 x MTU 20V8000 M71L Diesel Engines
    4 x 9.1 MW
    Gear Boxes 4 x ZF 60000NR2H Reduction Gears
    Waterjets 4 x Wartsila WLD 1400 SR

    PERFORMANCE
    Speed
    Average 35 knots @ 90% MCR with 635 mt (700 st) payload
    Maximum 43 knots without payload
    Range
    Maximum Transit 1200 nm
    Self-Deployment 5600 nm
    Survival Through SS-7

    AVIATION FACILITIES
    NAVAIR Level 1 Class 2 Certified Flight Deck for one helicopter
    Centerline parking area for one helicopter
    NAVAIR Level 1 class 4 Type 2 Certified VERTREP
    Helicopter Control Station

    AUXILIARY SYSTEMS
    Active Ride Control
    Transcom Interceptors
    Foils: 3.24 m2 (34.9 ft2) each, forward
    on inboard sides of demi-hulls
    Vehicle Ramp
    Articulated Slewing Stern Ramp
    Straight aft to 45º Starboard
    Telescoping Boom Crane
    12.3 mt @ 15m, 18.2 mt @ 10m
    (13.6 Lt @ 49.2 ft, 20.1 Lt @ 32.8 ft)

The website has more images and animations for various views.

La brochure http://www.austal.com/files/delivery/JHSV-11x171.pdf

Le site qui va avec http://www.austal.com/jhsv/

[P4]

Un mail du XO du Swift à son père en 2006:

http://www.jerrypournelle.com/archives2/archives2mail/mail424.html#Sunday

It is a challenge at times to explain to folks that we are more like a very low flying airplane than a ship. We can carry the equivalent of 17 sorties of an Air Force C-17 in one trip. We can load and deliver it all door to door and don't need a berth."

Dans le meme ordre d'idées: U.S. Army and Navy Greenlight JHSV Program

“The future of the vessel is bright,” Work says, since it’s relatively inexpensive as far as ships go and given the amount of cargo it can carry relative to the C-130. “We’re paying $60 million for a C-130 and it carries 20-25 tons. A JHSV can carry 700 tons—as far as cost per ton, that’s pretty darn good.”

[g4lly]

http://marinelink.com/News/Article/Austal-Contract-for-JHSV-2-and-3/333190.aspx

The U.S. Navy has exercised contract options funding the construction of two additional Austal Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) – as part of an existing 10-vessel, $1.6b program. Austal previously received US Navy funding for long lead-time material, including diesel engines, water jets and reduction gears, for these two vessels in June 2009. The additional work is valued at approximately $208m.

Intended as the U.S. Department of Defense’s next-generation multi-use platform, the two 338 ft high speed vessels will be constructed at Austal’s US facility, located in Mobile, Ala. Austal was selected as Prime contractor for the JHSV program in November 2008, which included construction of the first JHSV and options for nine additional vessels to be exercised between FY09 and FY13. Construction of the first Austal JHSV commenced in December 2009.

Similar to the Austal-built WestPac Express operated by the U.S. Marines for the past nine years, but with the addition of a helo deck, the JHSV will be capable of transporting troops and their equipment, supporting humanitarian relief efforts, operating in shallow waters, and reaching speeds in excess of 35 knots fully loaded.

Austal USA’s new state-of the-art 35,000 m2 Modular Manufacturing Facility (MMF) facilitates the concurrent construction of both JHSV and LCS platforms. Austal USA’s workforce is expected to grow to more than 1500 as a result of the JHSV program. Austal is teamed with General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems who will design, integrate, and test the ship’s electronic systems, including an Open Architecture Computing Infrastructure, internal and external communications, electronic navigation, aviation, and armament systems

JHSV chez Austal

[alexandreVBCI]

JHSV Gets Larger Role in U.S. Navy Plans

U.S. Marines and special-operations SEALs may soon be going to war onboard aluminum, twin-hulled catamarans derived from commercially successful civilian ferries.

Pentagon plans to buy 10 Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) for use by the U.S. Army and Navy are expanding, driven by a recent decision that the 338-foot-long ships can carry out a wider variety of military missions. The ships will even be used, in some situations, as replacements for the current flock of small, 170-foot patrol coastal craft.

"There was a big debate within the [Navy] department on patrol craft, PCs," Navy Undersecretary Bob Work said Feb. 3 during an interview. "People said these are very good for irregular warfare. But when we looked at it we said we wanted to have self-deployable platforms that have a lot of payload space that you can take to the fight whatever you need - SEALs, Marines, riverine squadrons. So we decided to increase the Joint High Speed Vessel program."

Work said the Navy now envisions buying up to 23 of the ships for its own use, in addition to five being built for the Army.

"We like their self-deployability aspects," Work said. "They can be a sea base, they can be an Africa Partnership Station, they're extremely flexible."

The ships were designed by Austal USA, which is building the first three in a new facility at its Mobile, Ala., shipyard. The company received its initial JHSV contract in November 2008, and on Jan. 28 the Navy ordered two more.

The ships cost about $160 million apiece and can hit 45 knots, with a cruise speed of about 35 knots. More than 300 Marines and their gear can be accommodated for up to four days. The ships will have a flight deck able to land an H-53 helicopter and a mission bay that can carry M1 Abrams main battle tanks.

The Navy also has decided to keep the 13 PCs currently in its inventory, including three on temporary loan to the Coast Guard. The ships, built in the 1990s, will be refurbished and upgraded, Work said, "so they're going to be with us well into the 2020s."

Together with 55 planned Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) that also feature large mission bays, the Navy will have a greatly enhanced ability to carry troops and materials to the fight.

"When you combine LCS and the Joint High Speed Vessel together, that's going to be 78 small craft with a lot of payload space that can be configured for a lot of these irregular warfare missions," Work said.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4484594&c=AME&s=SEA

C'est un énorme succès pour le JHSV qui semble être apprécié de tous.

[g4lly]

http://www.marinelink.com/news/construction-austal335650.aspx

Less than one year after beginning fabrication of Spearhead (JHSV 1), Austal has commenced construction on Vigilant (JHSV 2), the second of up to ten 103-m Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV). Austal was selected as prime contractor in November 2008 to design and build the first JHSV, with options for nine additional vessels expected to be exercised between FY09 and FY13. Since then, Austal has received construction contracts for JHSV 1, JHSV 2, and JHSV 3 and Long Lead Time Material contracts for JHSV 4 and JHSV 5.

The 103-m JHSV will provide rapid intra-theater deployment/transportation of personnel, equipment and supplies. The vessel will support military logistics, sustainment and humanitarian relief operations and will be capable of speeds up to 43 knots. 

"The start of JHSV 2 represents the first Navy/MSC ship and the start of serial production,” U.S. Navy Program Manager, Capt. George Sutton said. “Serial production is the key to program stability, affordability and efficiency for the shipbuilder and the taxpayer."

“Since the beginning of the year, Austal has added over 800 employees to our staff of shipbuilding professionals,” Austal USA President and Chief Operating Officer, Joe Rella, commented. “Our workforce is well positioned to start construction on this second JHSV.”

The Austal 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.

The Austal JHSV team includes platform systems engineering agent General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems who is responsible for the design, integration and test of the ship’s mission systems, including internal and external communications, electronic navigation, and aviation and armament systems.

[alexandreVBCI]

U.S. Buys More High-Speed Vessels, Orders More.

Two virtually unused high-speed ferries once planned for service in the Hawaiian Islands have been acquired by the U.S. government at apparently bargain-basement prices.

Austal USA already is building as many as 10 Fortitude-class Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSVs), which are similar to the Superferries, for the Army and Navy.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4900835&c=AME&s=SEA

[alexandreVBCI]

Premier article et premières photos de l'USNS Spearhead, le premier JHSV.

La marine américaine baptise son premier catamaran de transport rapide :

http://www.meretmarine.com/article.cfm?id=117137

L'USNS Spearhead est un catamaran en aluminium capable d'atteindre la vitesse de 35 noeuds avec, à cette vitesse, une autonomie de 1200 milles. Armé par le Military Sealift Command (MSC), le navire aura un équipage de 21 civils. Sa capacité d'emport est de 600 tonnes de matériel et il peut héberger 146 personnes en cabines, avec également la possibilité de transporter 312 autres personnes sur des sièges. Doté d'une plateforme pour un hélicoptère lourd, le Spearhead compte aussi, sur l'arrière, une rampe permettant de débarquer le fret et les véhicules transportés.

Le programme JHSV a été conçu pour disposer d'un moyen de transport rapide et flexible permettant de répondre à de nombreux types de missions : soutien maritime à l'étranger, transport d'urgence, assistance humanitaire, intervention en cas de catastrophe naturelle, ou encore support aux opérations spéciales. Le JHSV pourra, également, être intégré dans le nouveau concept « Sea basing » de l'US Navy.

On notera que ce nouveau navire a été développé à partir du retour d'expérience du Westpac Express, un catamaran construit par Austal ayant fait office de prototype. A partir de 2002, ce navire a servi au support des militaires du troisième corps expéditionnaire de l'US Marine Corps, basé à Okinawa, au Japon. En une décennie d'activité, le Westpac Express a rendu de grands services, intervenant notamment lors du tsunami de 2004 en Asie du sud-est et, cette année, suite au tremblement de terre au Japon.

Actuellement, les chantiers Austal de Mobile, qui réalisent également les Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) du type Independence, travaillent à la réalisation du second JHSV, qui sera baptisé Vigilant. Cinq autres bâtiments ont déjà été commandés, les trois premiers devant s'appeler Fortitude, Fall River et Resolute.

[Perry]

FSF-1 Sea Fighter (prototype) :

[Chevalier Gilles]

belle bête quand même