The Navy has ordered the construction of two Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSVs) even as the program appears to be drawing to an end after a sharp reduction in the number of ships the service plans to build.

The Navy awarded Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., a $321.7 million-contract for construction of the eighth and ninth JHSVs, and included $191.1 million in its fiscal 2013 budget request for the 10th ship in the class. The Navy deleted plans to build eight of JHSVs over the next five years.

The JHSVs are intended to quickly transport troops, equipment and supplies in theater. The Navy lowered the quantity of JHSVs in its plans to find savings in the reduced budget environment that calls on the Pentagon to absorb $487 billion in spending cuts over the next decade.