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| Built by Incat in Tasmania and delivered in 2003, the 98 metre Wave Piercing Catamaran HSV 2 Swift was contracted by Military Sealift Command, Washington, DC from Bollinger/Incat USA, LLC, Lockport, Louisiana for the U.S. Navy.
Following successes enjoyed with HSV-X1 Joint Venture and TSV-1X Spearhead, High Speed Vessels (HSV) previously acquired through Bollinger/Incat, this third craft was contracted to serve operationally as an interim Mine Warfare Command and Support Ship (MCS), and support transformational mine warfare modular mission payload initiatives.
HSV 2 Swift is capable of maintaining an average speed of 35 knots or greater, loaded with 500 short tons, consisting of 350 personnel and military equipment. A minimum operating range of 1100 nautical miles at 35 knots was required by the contract, as was a minimum transit range of 4000 nautical miles at an average speed of 20 knots. Furthermore, she is capable of 24-hour operations at slow speeds (3-10 knots) for experimentation with unmanned autonomous vehicles, and to support dedicated and emerging organic mine warfare missions.
A stern ramp capable of on/off loading directly astern or to the starboard quarter is fitted. The ramp is capable of loading/unloading a multitude of military vehicles up to and including M1A1 main battle tanks of up to 141,000 lbs. The craft is also fitted with a load compensating crane capable of launch and recovery of small boats and unmanned vehicles up to 26,000 lbs. whilst underway. The crane is capable of lifting up to 22,000 lbs. to and from the flight deck.
The vessel has a NAVAIR certified helicopter flight deck for operation of MH-60S, CH-46, UH-1 and AH-1 helicopters. An area protected from the weather for storage and maintenance of two MH-60S helicopters is provided to enhance aviation operations in day, night and instrument meteorological conditions.
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HSV 2 Swift Milestones
During flight deck certifications, HSV 2 Swift’s crew conducted aircraft recovery while making 43 knots (80 km/h) during one recovery and had 66 knots (122 km/h) apparent winds during another recovery.
In early 2004 HSV 2 Swift participated in West African Training Cruise-04, an exercise designed to enhance security cooperation between the United States and participating West African nations.
On 03 January 2005 HSV 2 Swift left its homeport of Naval Station Ingleside, Texas to support Operation Unified Assistance, the humanitarian operation effort in the wake of the Tsunami that struck South East Asia.
During Operation Unified Assistance the crew conducted many firsts for the unique vessel, including 30 straight days at sea, supporting a helicopter detachment and its support crew for 30 days with high tempo flight operations as well as conducting two underway replenishments at sea.
In September 2005 HSV 2 Swift further proved its worth during hurricane recovery efforts in New Orleans. The vessel ferried precious relief supplies between Naval Air Station Pensacola and ships deployed throughout the Gulf Coast region stabilizing areas affected by the hurricane. HSV 2 Swift’s unique design made the high-speed vessel an integral part of the mission by enabling the ship access to depths of less than 12 feet.
During July 2006 HSV 2 Swift used her speed, capacity and manoeuvrability to deliver repair parts and replenishment items from Manama, Bahrain, to Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, for supplying USNS Supply (T-AOE 6) in less than 12 hours.
“That’s one of the things a vessel like Swift can do - rapid delivery of intra-theater cargo,” said HSV 2 Swift’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Rob Morrison. “Supply received its shipment much faster than usual, using less manpower. Streamlining intra-theater deliveries saves the Navy money, man-hours, and aircraft wear-and-tear, and that made the 98 metre workhorse very popular in the region.
“With its enormous 28,000-square-foot mission deck, the ability to traverse littoral waters, the capability of handling speeds in excess of 40 knots, and manoeuvrability that doesn’t require tugboat assistance when arriving or departing the pier, HSV 2 Swift is definitely a multi-tasker.”
Immediately following this impressive display of efficiency HSV 2 Swift was called into play during the Israel-Lebanon conflict, being used to transport Humanitarian Assistance Materials from Cyprus to Beirut.
Later in the year HSV 2 Swift was deployed to the Far East with detachments from U.S. Navy helicopter squadron HSL-37, Mobile Security Squadron 7, and the Second Platoon of the Third U.S. Marine Corps Fast in support of theater security cooperation efforts with the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
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