MARINES TEST HIGH SPEED VESSEL IN FLORIDA

MARINES TEST HIGH SPEED VESSEL IN FLORIDA    The U.S. Marines’ Blount Island Command said that it will test a new high-speed catamaran-type vessel to assess its potential.
   An experimentation exercise planned at Blount Island will assess the compatibility of the “joint high speed vessel” with what the Marines described as “austere” port facilities. A small offload sequence will be carried out when the high-speed ship will discharge its payload of Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicles. Previous exercises have tested the use of the ship with other Maritime Prepositioning Force combat vehicles and lighterage.
   The trial will be conducted to demonstrate the ship’s capability as a potential extension of the Maritime Prepositioning Force program.
   The U.S. Marine Corps Blount Island Command said that the high-speed ship has a    wave piercing catamaran-type hull, and it is smaller and faster than any conventional cargo ships.
   It said that the high speed vessel posseses “many desirable mission capabilities,” such as a 40+ knots speed, a high payload fraction, longer and more useful ranges, and the ability to tailor the payload for optimum mission success.
   The experimentation exercises will be conducted in a cooperation between the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, U.S. Special Operations Command and Coast Guard.
   “Each command is currently exploring the operational implications and opportunities of new marine technologies that are bringing higher speeds, longer ranges and increased payload capacities to surface vessels,” Blount Island Command said.