Austal awards GD contract for JHSV program

FAIRFAX , Va., Nov. 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy has awarded Australian shipbuilder Austal a prime contract to provide the Joint High Speed Vessel program with design and construction support.

Under the deal Austal will be expected to deliver the new JHSV, developed for use by the Navy and Army, to transport troops operating in shallow waters.

As part of the estimated 10-ship construction deal, Austal announced it has contracted General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems to support JHSV system integration.

General Dynamics will be responsible for testing the JHSV electronics and computing infrastructure, among other technical systems support on the contract. General Dynamics says it will support the JHSV program with integration development "leveraged (from) its integration experience and open computing infrastructure from its work on the General Dynamics' Littoral Combat Ship program," the release said.