The Navy’s next joint high speed vessel will be United States Naval Ship (USNS) Choctaw County.

Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, a native of Choctaw County, made the announcement this past week.

The JHSV is a joint Navy-Army program for a high-speed, shallow draft vessel intended for rapid cargo transport.

The JHSV reaches speeds up to 45 knots. It will include a flight deck for helicopter operations and an off-load ramp that will allow vehicles to quickly drive off the ship.

The ship will be the first to be named for the Mississippi county.

Mabus says the USNS Choctaw County will be constructed by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala.