GULFPORT, MS, April 21, 2004 – VT Halter Marine Inc., a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems Inc., launched the US Army Tank-automotive and Armament Command’s (TACOM) newest Logistic Support Vessel (LSV) the “MG Robert Smalls,” at a ceremony earlier today.
Valued at approximately $25m, the LSV-8 has an overall length of 313 feet, a beam of 60 feet and a molded depth of 19 feet. Designed and built to carry over 2,000 tons of deck cargo, that could include combat vehicles or armament cargo, the vessel is capable of supporting logistic efforts worldwide.
CEO, Butch King said, “We value the confidence and trust that the US Army has placed in VT Halter Marine. The Army is a long-term marine customer and more than 50 percent of the vessels in their fleet have been built at our shipyards. VT Halter Marine is currently developing a basic vessel platform design that can be customized to the specific requirements of both commercial and military customers. One of our greatest strengths is our experience in designing and building a wide variety of vessels, which allows us to harness strategic technical advancements from across a broad product line. Designing and building the LSV has given us a clear understanding of the Army’s logistical needs that will translate well to the applications of the future, including the fast Theater Support Vessels.”
This is the first Army ship named after an African American and a Civil War hero. In April 1862, Smalls commandeered a steamer loaded with armaments, navigated it through the heavily mined waters near Fort Sumter, and delivered it to the Union fleet. After his naval career, Smalls went on to become a major general in the South Carolina militia, a state legislator and a five-time US congressman.
VT Halter Marine Inc., based in Gulfport, Miss., is a leader in the design and construction of small- to medium-sized ships in the United States. VT Halter Marine designs, builds and repairs a wide variety of ocean-going vessels such as patrol vessels, oil recovery vessels, oil cargo vessels, ferries, logistic support vessels and research ships. It is a subsidiary of Vision Technologies Systems Inc. (VTS), a provider of integrated engineering solutions, specializing in the fields of aerospace, electronics, land systems, and marine. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA., VTS has locations throughout North America. VTS offers a broad range of proven innovative services to both the commercial and government sectors.
For additional information, please contact:
Cynthia Borries, Corporate Communications Manager
VT Halter Marine
Phone: 228-897-4985
Fax: 228-563-1969
Email: c.borries@vthaltermarine.com
Amy McCaskill, Corporate Communications Coordinator
VT Systems
Phone: 703-739-2610
Fax: 703-739-2611
Email: amccaskill@vt-systems.com