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Austal designed and built High Speed Support Vessels preparing for delivery for Royal Navy of Oman.
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 72m High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV) – the future RNOVAl Mubshir during sea trials off Henderson, Western Australia, March 2016. (Photo: Austal) |
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The first
of two 72m HSSV’s developed for the RNO – the future RNOVAl
Mubshir - is on schedule for deployment in Oman in the first half of 2016,
following construction at Austal’sHenderson, Western Australia shipyard.The
sister ship will be delivered later in 2016. The 72metre HSSV is an evolution of the proven Expeditionary Fast Transport (T-EPF) platform developed for the United States Navy by Austal - now operating around the world with US Military Sealift Command (USMSC) - including USNSChoctaw County(T-EPF-2)on deployment with US 5th Fleet in Bahrain. |
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The RNO 35 knot, all-aluminium High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV) offers
exceptional speed, manoeuvrability and carrying capacity (up to 260 embarked
troops and their vehicles)– for a range of operationsand logistics
support roles. Featuring a shallow draft of 3 metres, a 900sqm vehicle
deck and medium-lift aviation capability (for a NH-90 helicopter), the
HSSV is a new era of capability for both open ocean and littoral missions. Speaking at the launch of the first HSSV in October 2015, Austal Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bellamy commented “Austal’s success in developing customised designs such as the HSSV clearly demonstrate our depth of expertise and understanding of naval operations and capabilities.” The HSSV and the T-EPF both evolved from a proven, Austal-designed high speed catamaran platform – the 101m Westpac Express. This vessel has been leased from Austal by the US Marine Corps based in Okinawa, Japan for troop and vehicle transport throughout the Western Pacific for the past 14 years - and continues to outperform alternative modes, such as military aircraft, in terms of performance and economy. As part of the company’s broader growth strategy for the region, Austal Middle East shall provide in-service support to the HSSV’s and the Royal Navy of Oman through the company’s established service centre in Muscat, Oman (operating since 2008) and regional office in Abu Dhabi, UAE. |
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