Navy to christen JHSV Spearhead

MOBILE, Ala. - The Navy will christen the Joint High Speed Vessel "Spearhead" Saturday at 10 a.m. CDT in Mobile. The 338 foot-long aluminum catamaran is being built by Austal USA. Spearhead and the nine other JHSVs under contract allow intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles, supplies and equipment. They can transport 600 short tons 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots and can operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways. JHSVs aviation flight decks can support day and night air vehicle launch and recovery operations. Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama will deliver the ceremony's principal address. (Source: DoD, 09/14/11)