US Navy Releases RFI For Pacific Training Support Vessels

The US Navy released a Request For Information (RFI) on August 28th for a new class of training vessels dubbed the Pacific Training Support Vessel (PTSV).

The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) issued a Request for Information (RFI) for three Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV) on behalf of the Combatant Craft & Boats Program Office (PMS-300). 

Pacific – Training Support Vessels (PTSV)

According to the RFI, the OSVs, which will be redesignated as Pacific – Training Support Vessels (PTSV) are for the Commander, Pacific Fleet, and will support the requirement for Joint Live, Virtual, Constructive (JLVC) training capability for exercises occurring throughout the Pacific. 

The Navy currently operates five vessels that act as Training Support Vessels (TSV). These are various classes of ships that range from former ocean surveillance ships to torpedo recovery vessels that have been converted into TSVs. The ships under the Training Support Vessel Squadron (TSVRON), support Carrier Strike Group 4’s fleet training needs in the Atlantic.

The vessels are to be capable of operating in open-ocean in high sea states, day or night, in all weather in support of fleet training requirements and fleet exercise objectives. Specific operating areas listed in the document have the vessels operating as far south as Guam and as far north as the Gulf of Alaska.

The RFI states that the US Navy is only looking for existing vessels that are available for sale. These vessels will then be altered to meet the Navy’s requirements outlined in the draft document. The current RFI is only for interested parties in the US, however the release states that should the US Navy pursue RFP for an acquisition, it may consider proposals from outside the US so long as they meet the requirements. 

According to the document, the US Navy might pursue a price cap of $25-30 million per vessel for the RFP, with the cost including alterations and delivery. The vessels are to be delivered either to San Diego, CA, and/or Pearl Harbor, HI. 

The outlined notional schedule states that the RFP will be issued in Fiscal Year 2024. The contract for the first PTSV would be awarded in late FY2024, with the contracts for the remaining two PTSVs being awarded in FY2025.

An earlier version of this RFI that was issued in February of this year called for five ships instead of three, and sought both new build and existing ships. With contracts for all five ships being awarded in FY2024.

General Characteristics

The draft requirements attached to the RFI call for the PTSV to have a nominal length overall (LOA) of 230-285 feet (70-87 meters), a minimum beam of 42 feet (13 meters), and a maximum beam of 68 feet (21 meters). The draft of the vessel should but no greater than 20 feet (6 meters) with a preferred draft of 15 feet (4.5 meters). 

Requirements also call for the vessels to be capable of sustaining a continuous speed of 10 knots, and a range of 5,000 nm. However, the documents state that the vessel’s typical day-to-day operations will occur 100 nm offshore, with occasional operations extending out to 1000 nm offshore. 

The vessel is to be capable of transmitting data to and from US Navy shore stations, satellites, other ships, and platforms. It should also be capable of deploying, recovering, and servicing underwater vehicles, aerial targets such as drones and subsonic missile targets, and inert training torpedoes. 

Lastly, each vessel is to have berthing accommodations for 28 personnel, including the crew of the vessel. The vessels are to be capable of undertaking long operations lasting up to 30 days continuously and up to 250 days per year at sea.  

Source: Naval News