Austal USA launches JHSV 4

JANUARY 19, 2014 —  Austal USA, Mobile, AL, last week successfully launched the USNS Fall River (JHSV 4). The 103 m high speed catamaran was launched in a multi-step process that saw Berard Transportation transfer the ship from the shipbuilder’s Assembly Bay 3 onto a deck barge that was then towed to BAE Systems Southeast’s Mobile Shipyard.  The next day, Fall River was transferred onto BAE’s dry dock Alabama; it was floated then returned to Austal’s facility where it will undergo final outfitting and activation before sea trials and delivery to the Navy later this year.

“It’s really amazing at how easy the team makes this complicated process look,” said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle. “I appreciate the efforts of all involved.”  

JHSV 4 is now one of four Austal-built Navy ships moored in the Mobile River, joining USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3), Coronado (LCS 4), and Jackson (LCS 6).

“With JHSV 3 recently completing Acceptance Trials and preparing for delivery, and now the launch of Fall River, the JHSV program continues to progress well as we meet our commitments to the Navy,” said Mr. Perciavalle. “The incredible shipbuilders here at Austal should be very proud of this accomplishment”.

USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) was delivered in December 2012 and has been deployed. USNS Choctaw County (JHSV 2) was delivered to the Navy in June 2013. USNS Millinocket (JHSV 3) has completed Acceptance Trials and is scheduled to be delivered within the next month. Construction is well underway on Trenton (JHSV 5) which will begin final assembly in, now vacant, Assembly Bay 3 by the end of January, and construction will begin on Brunswick (JHSV 6) by the end of this month.