Austal's Sixth Expeditionary Fast Transport Completes Acceptance Trials

Austal Limited (Austal) (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce that Expeditionary Fast Transport 6 (EPF 6) USNS Brunswick, formerly known as Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV 6), has successfully completed US Navy acceptance trials.

The trials, the last significant milestone before delivery, were undertaken in the Gulf of Mexico and involved comprehensive testing of the vessel’s major systems and equipment by US Navy.

Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF)

Austal Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bellamy said the consistent performance of the EPF’s during acceptance trials is further reflected by the innovative platform’s success in deployment with US Navy’s Military Sealift Command throughout the world.

“The mature EPF program has not only achieved outstanding efficiencies during construction - delivering high quality vessels, like USNS Brunswick - but is exceeding expectations as a multi- mission platform, enhancing capability in a variety of challenging operating environments from Africa to Asia and South America,” Mr Bellamy said.

After delivery of EPF 6, Austal will deliver a further four Expeditionary Fast Transports from its shipyard at Mobile, Alabama, under a 10-ship, US$1.6 billion contract from the US Navy.

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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 Transports (EPF) formerly known as the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) for the United States 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 (formerly Customs and Border Protection). 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.