Navy test vessel may yield new warfare concepts - Around the Fleet - high-speed vessel named Joint Venture - Brief Article

All Hands, Feb, 2002

The future of naval warfare is being developed not just in a laboratory, but also at the waterfront at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Norfolk. With the help of a leased commercial vessel, the Navy is exploring the application of new maritime technology to future military operations.

The ship is a "high-speed vessel" named Joint Venture. The Navy's first HSV is currently based at Little Creek, and is being operated by a joint Navy and Army crew.

The Joint Venture is a 313-foot, wave-piercing catamaran capable of 45 knots, which can operate in heavy seas and relatively shallow water.

For the demonstration period, the Navy modified a commercial vessel with advanced hull and propulsion technology previously in use as a high-speed passenger and automobile ferry.

The HSV Joint Venture is a joint military effort to explore concepts that may develop future tactics and vessel designs. The HSV's naval employment may include: replenishment and resupply at sea, special operations insertion and redeployment, reconnaissance, command and control, antisubmarine warfare mine warfare, humanitarian assistance and evacuation, surface warfare and force protection.

Under the coordination of the Navy Warfare Development Command at Newport R.I., and support from the Office of Naval Research; the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Army and the Joint Special Operations Command have entered into a partnership to test the vessel for up to two years.

Since the HSV's arrival in October at Little Creek, it has participated in several limited objective experiments and evaluations.

The HSV has already completed helicopter certification and has been used in unmanned underwater vehicle and small boat launches and recoveries, as well as mine warfare experiments.

"The HSV Joint Venture is just one example of our ongoing efforts to transform naval warfare," said ADM Robert J. Natter, commander in chief, Atlantic Fleet. "This transformation effort is essential to maintaining the U.S. Navy as the world's preeminent Navy.

"Key to our transformation effort and associated research is the willingness to employ new platforms, and test emerging technology to determine what new capabilities they may bring to warfare on and from the sea," the admiral said.

The HSV offers more than high speed. Its modularity and a roll-on/roll-off ramp allow quick and efficient load outs and equipping.

The vessel's shallow draft and water jet propulsion give it tremendous flexibility and maneuverability over conventional ship forms. The combination of these unique characteristics allows the HSV to unload in more ports around the world.

The Navy's intention is not to test this specific vessel's design, but rather the capabilities that an HSV can offer. Lessons learned from current and future demonstrations will help the Navy decide what type of vessels to build for the future.

"We are really excited about the possible future uses for this type of ship," said Natter.

"Our interest is in evaluating what capabilities an HSV would bring to the fight. We are particularly interested to see how tactics and capabilities would change. There is a lot of potential in this vessel that could help us literally transform naval warfare," said the admiral.

The Atlantic Fleet will integrate HSV Joint Venture into upcoming exercises with other naval units.

The Joint Venture will serve as a mine warfare command ship and test the ability to tow mine-detection and sweeping equipment, launch and recover remote mine-hunting vehicles and serve as command and control for airborne and surface platforms.

Additionally, the HSV Joint Venture will participate in special operations, amphibious, search and rescue, maritime interdictions and anti-submarine warfare operations.

For information on the Atlantic Fleet, go to www.atlanticfleet.navy.mil.