SPOD, Kuwait -- The Army's newest high speed sealift capability, the Theater Support Vessel Spearhead, part of the Department of Defense's Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration Branch, briefly visited the Seaport of Debarkation, June 14, dropping off a load of up-armored M-1114 Humvees destined for the Combat Equipment Battalion on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
According to the U.S. Army Tank automotive and Armaments Command's website, the Spearhead is a 98 meter wave piercing catamaran, critical to the Army's ability to perform its Title 10, intra-theater lift mission. Its speed and flexibility is used to deliver combat ready troops, sustainment deliveries and the movement of Army prepositioned stocks.
Even though the Spearhead is designed specifically for shorter missions, it has several modifications to ensure it goes the distance safely from the continental United States to areas throughout the world.
"This ship has been retrofitted with additional water tanks, one on each side, ensuring the crew has enough fresh water for long voyages," said Chief Warrant Officer Patrick Mullally, 469th Transportation Detachment, who serves as the ship's second mate.
The inside of the ship reminds one of something between an airliner and a hotel, with reclining chairs, a forward passenger dining area and carpeted hallways illuminated by offset lighting. But the real feature is its speed and cargo carrying capacity.
"This vessel can carry 820 tons of cargo and fuel, which is nearly 164,000 pounds, along with its 32 crew members," said Chief Warrant Officer Tom Youngpeter, the ship's executive officer, 469th Transportation Detachment, out of Fort Eustis, Va.
As far as speed goes, the Spearhead cruises comfortably at about 48 knots, about 55 miles per hour. However this particular journey she averaged about 38 knots, nearly 38 miles per hour, he added.
"It took us about 17 days to get from the east coast of the United States to Kuwait. That is about half of what normal Army ships would take to get here.
"We can haul any type of wheeled vehicles and now have the capability to haul Air Force pallets with cargo and 20 foot milvans, thanks to our new roller deck system," said Youngpeter. Obviously the Spearhead's capabilities make her an attractive addition to the Army Transportation Corps inventory of 90 named ocean going ships and other watercraft.
Once the new Humvees were off-loaded, the Spearhead took on supplies and continued on to her next mission. "The ship and the crew are very impressive," said Youngpeter.
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| Date Taken: | 06.23.2004 |
| Date Posted: | 06.23.2004 09:52 |
| Story ID: | 47 |
| Location: | SPOD, KW |
| Web Views: | 322 |
| Downloads: | 190 |
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