Maiden mission set for Navy's newest vessel today

[unhappycamper]

http://hamptonroads.com/2014/01/maiden-mission-set-navys-newest-vessel-today



Your latest $600,000,000 US Navy vessel.

Maiden mission set for Navy's newest vessel today
By Mike Hixenbaugh
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 16, 2014

VIRGINIA BEACH

Some people are calling it the "pickup truck of the sea." The Navy's joint high-speed vessel Spearhead can haul troops or supplies in a hurry, and it can do it on the cheap.

The 338-foot twin-hull catamaran, the first in its class, departs Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek today on its maiden deployment. The Spearhead's civilian skipper Douglas Casavant says the ship may appear simple - a vast cargo bay wrapped in a shiny aluminum shell - but its potential uses are many.

"Flexibility is probably the ship's greatest attribute," Casavant said.

The Military Sealift Command ship, staffed with 22 civilians, is equipped with 312 airline-style passenger seats. Designed to quickly move troops and their gear, it could also be converted to a hospital ship or used to deliver food, water or construction equipment to areas ravaged by natural disasters.

[Kaleva]

1. Pretty impressive ship.

Australia, I believe, already has ships that are similar. Multi function, long range and fast support ships.