'HSV-2 Swift' returns to Hobart after a decade with the United States Navy
The 'HSV-2 Swift', a 98 metre high speed vessel which has been in service with the US Navy – Military Sealift Command over the past decade, returns to Hobart, Tasmania, this week.
Built by Australian ferry builder Incat Tasmania in 2002, the all-aluminium 98 metre x 27 metre wave-piercing hybrid catamaran was originally leased by the United States Navy as a mine countermeasures and sea basing test platform.
Leased to the US Navy through Bollinger/Incat of Lockport, Louisiana, the 'HSV-2 Swift' was the fourth Incat-built high-speed wave piercing catamaran to enter military service, following behind the 86 metre 'HMAS Jervis Bay', the 96 metre 'USAV Spearhead' (TSV-X1) and the 95.5 metre 'HSV-X1 Joint Venture'.
A commercial catamaran with military enhancements, other features of the vessel include helicopter flight deck, strengthened vehicle deck, small boat and unmanned vehicle launch and recovery capability, and an enhanced communications suite.
Powered by Caterpillar 3618 diesel engines, the vessel has a maximum speed of 45 knots, an operating speed of 30 knots and a range of 3,500 nautical miles. Operated by a crew of 35, the vessel's traditional roles included fleet support and humanitarian partnership missions.
