Austal's navy vessel passes muster

UPDATE 1.45pm: Austal says its first-in-class Joint High Speed Vessel delivered to the US Navy has successfully completed initial operational testing and evaluation.

The USNS Spearhead will soon be available to undertake missions for the US Navy.

Austal chief executive Andrew Bellamy said the successful performance of the ship during operational testing demonstrated the company's ability to deliver high-quality defence vessels to the US Navy.

"The operational tests were the last major milestone JHSV 1 had to complete prior to being added to the US Navy's fleet and commencing missions," he said.

"As the first of ten Joint High Speed Vessels being delivered by Austal to the US Navy, it was very pleasing to see USNS Spearhead deliver on all its capabilities throughout the operational tests.

"Importantly, through the construction of JHSV 1, we implemented a number of improvements at our shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, which has resulted in increased productivity on the remaining Joint High Speed Vessels being constructing by Austal for the US Navy under our 10-ship, $US1.6 billion contract."

Austal delivered USNS Spearhead to the US Navy in December last year.

USNS Choctaw County (JHSV 2) was delivered to the US Navy six months later, in June this year, with JHSV 3 launched in the same month.

Completion of operational testing on JHSV 1 follows delivery of the Littoral Combat Ship USS Coronado to the US Navy last month.

LCS 4 was the second of two Littoral Combat Ships built by Austal USA for General Dynamics, with Austal subsequently awarded a $US3.5 billion contract direct from the US Navy in December 2010 to build a further ten LCS vessels as the prime contractor.

Austal shares closed up half a cent at 78 cents.