Austal has launched the first of two 72m High Speed Support Vessels (HSSV’s) being built for the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), yesterday.
Hull 390 – the future RNOV AI MUBSHIR – was successfully launched after 13 months of construction and fitout at the company’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard.
Based on the proven Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) platform – previously known as the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) – the HSSV offers a range of capabilities to support naval operations, including helicopter operations, rapid deployment of military personnel and cargo, search and rescue operations, humanitarian aid and disaster relief missions.
Austal was awarded the US$124.9 million contract for the design, construction and integrated logistics support of the two HSSV’s in March 2014 and construction commenced in August 2014. This first HSSV will now complete final fitout before sea trials, prior to delivery to the RNO early in 2016. The second HSSV is under construction and is on schedule for completion in mid 2016.
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Images: Austal