07:48 GMT, May 26, 2009 Austal has taken a significant step towards commencing construction of the US Department of Defense’s next generation multi-use platform - the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) - after successfully completing the Initial Critical Design Review (ICDR).

During the ICDR, Austal provided a comprehensive summary of the critical areas of the JHSV design for US Navy approval. The successful completion of the ICDR means Austal is now proceeding towards the project’s next critical milestone - the Final Critical Design Review.

US Navy Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Management Office Program Manager, Capt. George Sutton, commented, “The Austal JHSV program team performed well during the review process. I look forward to working with them towards the successful completion of the next critical milestone of this program.”

Austal USA President and Chief Operating Officer, Joe Rella, commented, “I am proud of the hard work the JHSV program team has put forth to achieve a successful ICDR. The team now enters the Transitional Design Phase with production of the lead JHSV to commence later this year. The solid relationships we have developed with the Navy and its onsite representatives have been instrumental in our ability to remain on schedule.”

Austal was awarded the contract to design and build the US Department of Defense’s JHSV in November 2008. As prime contractor, Austal will design and construct the lead 103-metre JHSV, with options for nine additional vessels expected to be exercised between FY09 and FY13.

The Austal JHSV platform will provide rapid intra-theater deployment/transportation of personnel, equipment and supplies supporting military logistics, sustainment, and humanitarian relief operations at speeds of more than 35 knots.

The aluminium vessel has the capability to transport medium-size units with their vehicles or reconfigure to provide troop transport for an infantry battalion, allowing units to transit operational distances while maintaining unit integrity. The vessel also has a flight deck for helicopter operations and an off-load ramp allowing vehicles to quickly drive on or off. The ramp will enable use of austere piers and quay walls, common in developing countries, while the vessel’s shallow draft (under 15 feet) will further enhance theater port access.

The Austal JHSV team includes platform systems engineering agent General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (GDAIS), which is responsible for the design, integration, and test of the ship’s electronic systems, including an open architecture computing infrastructure (OPEN CI), internal and external communications, electronic navigation, aviation, and armament systems.