Austal USA To Build High Speed Military Cat

Advanced technology demonstrator for Office of Naval Research.

As a result of its expertise in the construction of lightweight, aluminium vessels, Austal USA has been awarded a contract to build a high speed catamaran that will be used to demonstrate advanced hullform technology to the United States Office of Naval Research (ONR).

The 31.2 metre vessel will be built for American Marine Holdings, which has been awarded a contract to deliver and demonstrate its SeaCoaster military vessel design to the ONR. The ONR coordinates, executes and promotes the science and technology programs of the Navy and Marine Corps as well as providing technical advice to the Chief of Naval Operations and the Secretary of the Navy.

Bill Pfister, Austal USA's Vice President of Government Projects, said the ONR project was a further example of the US military's strong interest in the use of high speed vessels.

"The Navy, Army and Marine Corps have all experienced the benefits of the types of ships Austal is able to design and build and they are clearly seeking to expand the application of this technology," he said, pointing out that Austal is already heavily involved in the defence arena.

"The 101 metre Austal catamaran "WestPac Express" has been a tremendous success story for the Marines from the day it was chartered by Military Sealift Command in 2001, and we are currently working on the design for the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship. The Army's Theater Support Vessel acquisition program is another project we are eagerly anticipating," he said.

The SeaCoaster catamaran design features cavities in each hull into which air is blown with the aim of reducing resistance and thus allowing higher speeds to be obtained. Following its evaluation by the ONR, American Marine Holdings expects various departments of the U.S. military to decide on potential applications for the air-inducted technology and subsequently order additional vessels for specific uses.

American Marine Holdings President, Mr Mike Collins, said Austal USA was selected to build the vessel for ONR due to its expertise in aluminium vessel construction.

"Austal USA brings to this market a new dimension in high speed marine transport, utilising the company’s leading edge technology and construction capabilities that were not previously available to US customers," he said.

Austal USA will build the vessel in its specialised aluminium shipbuilding facility in Mobile, Alabama, where a 58 metre catamaran is also currently being constructed for Milwaukee-based ferry operator Lake Express.

Principal particulars
Overall length: 31.2 metres
Beam: 9.75 metres
Hull depth (moulded): 3.35 metres
Main engines: 4 x 1045kW diesels
Propulsion: 4 x surface-piercing propellers
Speed: 50+ knots

ENDS