USA: Austal Starts Final Assembly of JHSV 3

The third Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) is taking shape on the waterfront in Mobile, Alabama. The first of 43 modules for JHSV 3 have been successfully transported from the Module Manufacturing Facility (MMF) and erected in the final assembly bay on the waterfront.

The most recent module transported, at just under 90 per cent complete, is 20.4 metres long with a maximum width of 8.3 metres and is 9.4 metres high from keel to main deck. The module weighed just under 46 tonnes at time of erection.

JHSV 3 is one of five Navy vessels currently under construction at Austal’s Mobile, Alabama shipyard. Construction on JHSV 3 began in October 2011 and this module is one of the first that will be erected for the JHSV 3 Keel Laying Ceremony scheduled for May 3, 2012.

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 as part of a program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion. Austal has received construction contracts from the Navy for nine of the ten vessels.

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Naval Today Staff , April 26, 2012;