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36 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News awarded Bollinger/Incat USA its third lease. This vessel was to be used as an interim Mine Countermeasure Ship and a replacement for the USS Inchon that was being retired later that year. Swift also serves as a platform for conducting a series of limited objective exercises (LOE), demonstrations and training events determined by US Navy Warfare Development Command and the Marine Corps Combat Development Command. Many of SWIFTs LOEs are in support of the development of the US Navy's Littoral Combat Ship Program (LCS). Swift is capable of launching and recov- ery of small boats and unmanned vehi- cles while underway. Flight deck certi- fication operations brought a world first when the US Navy conducted a SH60 landing and take off at 40 knots of ship's speed and 58 knots of wind speed. SWIFT was also deployed during the US Navies support of the Indonesia Tsunami Relief effort and the US Gulf Coast Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort. During both deployments SWIFT was capable of bringing in supplies and con- ducting helo operations in shallow waters where other large Navy ships could not navigate. All three of the vessels are still under charter to Bollinger/Incat USA. All have participated in International War Games and have proven to be extremely successful. These exercises included RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific), WATC (West African Training Cruise), JLOTS (Joint Logistics Over the Shore) and many others. Through the much was learned, perhaps most importantly they have helping to shape the next genera- tion WPC. Incat Australia has begun construction of the first 112 m WPC in Hobart, Tasmania. The 112 m WPC will be capable of carrying 1000 metric tons at speeds greater than 40 knots and 1500 metric tons at reduced speeds. The approach to the 112 m vessel has been a SEAFRAME approach that allows the user to configure the vessel as they see fit for their specific mission. This vessel is targeted towards a recent Navy/Army joint program titled 'Joint High Speed Vessel' or JHSV. Since this is a joint program we expect that the vessels will have different configurations hence the SEAFRAME approach. Some configu- rations can be a troop/equipment trans- port, capable of transporting 1200 troops. Another configuration could have two helo landing spots yet another can be as a Command and Control Ship. Maritime Professional Training Maritime Professional Training 1915 South Andrews Avenue • Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 +1.954.525.1014 • 800.423.9267 email: info@mptusa.com • web: www.mptusa.com Where You Go To School DOES Matter! THE BETTER YOUR TRAINING, THE BETTER YOUR JOB! MPT Courses are available at ourFt. Lauderdale Campuses utilizing over 45,000 square feet of deck & engineer training labs, the MPT Ship's Store and our S.M.A.R.T. CENTER (Simulation for Maritime Assessment, Research, & Training) in addition to our Marine Tech Shipboard Firefighting Academy, Sea Survival Facility, and fleet of training vessels! CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF TRAINING! Circle 246 on Reader Service Card Joint High Speed Vessel under development. BCGP Nighthawk 38 High Speed Interceptor The Nighthawk 38-ft. from Brunswick Commercial & Government Products (BCGP) is designed to combine the handling characteristics of a traditional fiber- glass powerboat and the buoyancy and stability of an inflatable. The Nighthawk 38 is a high-speed craft designed and built for offshore use under high operational tem- pos and adverse conditions. The performance hull and patented STABR inflatable stabilizer tubes are designed to provide a smooth, stable, powerful ride minimizing crew fatigue during extended patrols on rough water. The customer can specify mis- sion defined layouts and options for Special Operations/Combat or Law Enforcement/Security operations. The Nighthawk was developed by FB Design. The boat features a series of innovative solutions including the anti-dive bow and the patented STABR inflatable system. Nighthawk 38 High Speed Interceptor MR MAY2006 #5 (33-40).qxd 5/8/2006 11:44 AM Page 36
