One Small Step . . .

The Navy wrapped up builder's sea trials April 19 for the first Joint High Speed Vessel in Mobile, AL, the service said in a statement last week. During the trials, the crew of Spearhead (JHSV-1) operated the ship's propulsion plant at different power levels, tested and calibrated communication and navigation systems, tested the ride control system and conducted high-speed turns. The ship reached a speed of 35 knots during the trials, the Navy said. Builder Austal is now preparing the vessel for acceptance trials with the Board of Inspection and Survey. The Navy expects delivery of the ship later this year.