Austal USA delivered its second Joint High Speed Vessel on Thursday — USNS Choctaw County (JHSV-2) — to Military Sealift Command and has launched the third JHSV from its Mobile, Ala. shipyard.
Choctaw County follows closely behind the lead ship, USNS Spearhead (JHSV-1), which delivered in December.
“This ship is delivering just six months after the first ship in the class, USNS Spearhead (JHSV-1), delivered, a commendable accomplishment for this dedicated Navy-shipbuilding team,” said JHSV program manager Capt. Henry Stevens in a Thursday statement.
The third JHSV — Millinocket — launched from shore to Mobile Bay on Wednesday and will continue to be outfitted before sea trials later in the year.
Ten JHSVs are planned for MSC as part of a $2.5 billion program.
The ships have a range of 1,200 nautical miles, can transport up to 600 tons of troops and material and can cruise at 35 kts. A crew of 22 MSC civilians operates the ship
