Austal Awarded New A$434 Million US Navy Contract

Austal Limited (Austal) (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce Austal USA has been awarded a A$434 million contract for the design and construction of two Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessels (EPF 11 and EPF 12) for the U.S. Navy. This amount includes contracts for long-lead time materials that were previously announced.

This new contract adds to the current block-buy contract for ten EPF awarded in 2008 and extends Austal’s total build for the program to twelve ships, valued at US$1.9 billion. The two additional EPF grow Austal’s extensive order book to over A$3.3 billion and extend Austal USA’s contracted production schedule into CY2022.

Announcing the contracts, Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said “This new order for a further two EPF reflect the US Navy’s continued confidence and investment in a proven product. The EPF is a unique vessel that is re-defining naval sealift capability and exceeding expectations in various military and civilian operations around the world.”

“Two more EPF signal a commitment by the US Navy to further expand the EPF roles and reach -and represent a significant opportunity for the Austal USA workforce who have been achieving impressive production efficiencies and improved margins across the program.”

To date, Austal USA has delivered seven EPF, with five now deployed by the United States Military Sealift Command (USMSC) with various US Navy fleets around the world. Three EPF are under construction at Austal USA’s advanced modular manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama, including the future USNS Yuma (EPF-8), scheduled for launch this weekend.

The EPF is a unique, 103 metre catamaran offering significantly enhanced naval support capability to transport troops, vehicles and cargo quickly and efficiently. With 35 knot performance, a large 1800 square metre cargo deck, medium-lift helicopter deck and seating for over 300 embarked troops, the ship has the unique ability to support a variety of operations, including military and civilian logistics missions, humanitarian and disaster relief missions and other maritime law enforcement activities.

 
USNS Spearhead (T-EPF-1), the first Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel designed and constructed by Austal for the US Navy (Photos: Austal)

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About Austal
Austal is a global defence prime contractor and a designer and manufacturer of defence and commercial ships. For more than 27 years Austal has been a leader in the design, construction and maintenance of revolutionary ships for governments, navies and ferry operators around the world. More than 255 vessels have been delivered in that time.
Ships
Defence vessels designed and built by Austal include multi-mission combatants, such as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) for the United States Navy and military high speed vessels for transport and humanitarian relief, such as the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ships for the
U.S. Navy and High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV) for the Royal Navy of Oman. Austal also designs, constructs, integrates and maintains an extensive range of patrol and auxiliary vessels for government agencies globally, including the Cape Class Patrol Boat Program for Australian Border Force. Defence vessels are designed and constructed in Mobile, Alabama and in Henderson, Western Australia.
Austal has been at the forefront of the high speed ferry market since the early days of the industry. Our market leading designs of high performance aluminium vessels have long been at the heart of Austal’s research and development. Today, commercial ship construction is centred on our shipyard in Balamban, Philippines.
Systems
Austal has expertise in integrating complex systems into its ships, including ride control, ship management, and communication, sensors and weapon systems.
Support
Austal provides a wide range of support services, including through life support, integrated logistics support, vessel sustainment and  systems support. These services are delivered through our global support network in the USA, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East together with partner shipyards worldwide.