Austal Selected for Next Stage of US Navy Combat Ship Project

A team that includes two Austal Limited subsidiaries, Austal Ships and Austal USA, has been awarded one of three contracts for the preliminary design of the United States Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships.

With its unrivalled expertise in the design and construction of large, high-speed aluminium vessels, Austal, as the designer and builder of the vessels, is a major contributor to the team, which is led by General Dynamics. The team’s proposal for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is based on Austal’s 126 metre high-speed aluminium trimaran hullform.

Austal’s Managing Director, Mr Bob McKinnon, said the contract was an important step forward along the path to an increased role in the global military vessel market.

“The significance of moving into the next stage of the LCS project goes beyond the obvious of being a step closer to playing a major role in what is shaping as a multi-billion dollar, multi-year project,” Mr McKinnon said.

“Selection of the trimaran for the next stage of this project confirms that aluminium is an appropriate choice for ships, even in combat roles. This is clearly important for other future defence contracts,” he said.

Mr McKinnon said participation in the high-profile LCS project is increasing international awareness not only of Austal’s capabilities but also the great potential for high-speed vessels in a variety of defence applications.

Following completion of the seven-month LCS preliminary design stage, the Navy will select two builders to build two prototype ships. One vessel will commence construction in early 2005 and the other in early 2006.

It is anticipated that, in late 2007, one team will be selected to continue with the program, commencing construction of three ships in 2008 and four in 2009. The Navy predicts that up to 60 Littoral Combat Ships may eventually be required. In accordance with US law, all vessels will be built in the United States.

Commenting on the relevance of the announcement to Austal’s bid to build the Royal Australian Navy’s Replacement Patrol Boat fleet, Mr McKinnon said: “Our success with the US Navy highlights our reputation as a designer and manufacturer of defence vessels on a global basis. As this and recent patrol boat contracts for Kuwait and the Republic of Yemen demonstrate, we are prepared and capable of getting out into the world and competing for orders.”