NORFOLK (AP) -- The Army says it is studying possible locations, including ones in Hampton Roads, for the next generation of rapid transport ships.
Officials say five to 12 of the new Joint High Speed Vessels could be home-ported in Hampton Roads, San Diego, Seattle, Hawaii and Guam.
The ports that make the cut each would receive as many as three of the ships, which are expected to begin coming into service by the end of next year.
The Fort Eustis section of Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Norfolk Naval Station and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek are all possible locations for the ships.
The ships are designed to be fast and allow them to operate in a wide range of environments. They will carry soldiers, Marines, special forces and their vehicles, and will have a flight deck for helicopters.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)