Not overbuilt at all. In fact there are design and operational elements that the USN wants to adopt as it reduces staffing compliments with no reduction in capability. Overpriced? Look at the prices paid, again the USN is saying that the vessel cannot be built to the price break in the CONUS. Manufactured over here. Well, refer to the top two. Once their other 10+ orders come through, they'll get co-produced by Bollinger in CONUS. What specifically are you complaining about as none of what you say in parts 1 and 2 fits in with what I've come across in discussions - be they beer talk or desk talk? Part 3 is the most accurate thing you've said.

It be p!ss taking, I agree with everything you stated!.

TSV Spearhead,formerly HS ferry between Austrialia and Tasmanai, is apparently working out well for the Army which has over 50,000 NM on it. Only major problem is that the electrical wiring insulation, refrigeration loads, and air conditioning are severly undersized for the 120 degree F ambient tempertures of the Persian Gulf region. Hopefully some of these shortcomings have been corrected before the Spearhead returns to the Persian Gulf this May in the dead of Summer.

My experience with chartering the HSV Westpac Express is that the Australian catamarans are NOT overbuilt or overpriced. In fact they are built light because they are dynamically supported ships and have to be light; and are built to commercial shipbuilding standards not MILSPECS. Remember they are test-bed platforms. If you want to see a over-priced HSV wait until the Army gets around to building their budget breaking TSV! This I know because I reviewed ship plans from both Austal and Incat.