Austal USA launched the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) the future USNS Trenton from its shipyard Sept. 30.
Launch is a major milestone for a ship and its class, signifying that the vessel is ready to enter the final stages of construction. USNS Trenton will be the U.S. Navy’s fifth Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV 5).
“The JHSV program is benefitting from serial production,” said Capt. Henry Stevens, Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Manager, Program Executive Office, Ships. “Because of program maturity, design stability and a dedicated team of engineers and shipbuilders, we are launching this ship only seven months following the laying of her keel.”
Trenton will now prepare for the tests and trials which will evaluate and ready the ship for delivery to Military Sealift Command (MSC) next spring. JHSVs are operated within MSCs Sealift program.
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Press Release, October 01, 2014; Image: Austal