Austal Will Begin Building New Navy Ship In November

The Navy approved $99 million in funding for Austal to buy diesel engines, water jets and reduction gears for the Joint High Speed Vessel.

By: Jamie Burch | WKRG-TV
Published: June 22, 2009

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Austal USA will begin building the first of two Joint High Speed Vessels in November.

An Austal spokesperson tells News 5 that the Navy has approved $99 million in funding for Austal to buy long lead-time material, this like diesel engines, water jets and reduction gears.

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 Navy awarded Austal the contract last fall. If all ten JHSV's are built, the contract would be worth $1.6 billion, the largest in Austal's history.