The USNS Spearhead is the first of the ten Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), and is designed to reach 43 knots without payload. The ship was christened on September 17, 2011 during a ceremony at Austal’s USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. (photo courtesy
of AUSTAL)
The vessel is equipped with four WLD 1400 SR waterjets. The unique Wärtsilä axial jet technology was a decisive factor in the award of this order because its characteristics - low noise, ease of maintainability, agile manoeuvring, and rapid acceleration and docking - perfectly fit the requirements for missions involving the JHSV.
These ships support the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Army with the intra-theatre manoeuvres of personnel, supplies and equipment, and will provide fast disaster relief capabilities.