USAV TSV-1X Spearhead Accepted by US Army

USAV TSV-1X Spearhead has been completed at the Incat shipyard in Hobart to meet US Army requirements and delivered to owner Bollinger/Incat USA for charter to the US Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM).

Speaking to the official party and distinguished guests at the acceptance ceremony, Incat Chairman Robert Clifford said “The United States Army is to be soundly congratulated for having the foresight and vision to recognise the capability of our craft and the contribution they can make towards Transformation. They are to be congratulated also for taking that vision to the next step – not just studying it and talking about it, but actually moving forward and doing it”.

He also spoke of the challenge to complete the vessel to Army specifications in the demanding 45 day period since the contract had been awarded. “As Chairman of Incat and Executive Vice President of Bollinger Incat USA, I’m delighted to receive an order, this one brought with it the usual exhilaration, but tinged with apprehension of the huge challenge ahead for our team to achieve the mammoth task of delivery in such a short period.

USAV TSV-1X Spearhead is part of the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator (ACTD) program by the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the US Army. She will be used to demonstrate and evaluate her ability to perform during certain mission scenarios, assess its usefulness to the US military and refine the requirements for the next generation of army watercraft.

The TSV is critical to the Army’s ability to perform its title 10, intra-theater mission. USAV TSV-1X Spearhead will be utilised on missions to maximize its speed and flexibility and is needed for both sustainment deliveries and the movement of Army prepositioned stocks, and troop units.

Spearhead is a 98m craft from Incat’s Evolution 10B range of Wave Piercing Catamarans. The craft marks the US Army’s second contract for a high speed Wave Piercing Catamaran for evaluation in various mission scenarios and is also their first TSV.

Spearhead after handover is working up under the command of Warrant Officer Four (CW4) William Davis, and is awaiting orders to proceed anywhere on the world on active duty.

Incat is currently constructing another 98 metre craft, hull 061, for US military operations. Military Sealift Command, Washington, D.C. will lease the craft from Bollinger/Incat USA to support US Navy Mine Warfare Command.

…ends.
Note to Editors

USAV – United States Army Vessel
TSV – Theater Support Vessel
ACTD – Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator