LCS 6 Completes Full Ship Shock Trials

Austal Limited (Austal) (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce the successful completion of Full Ship Shock Trials by USS JACKSON  (LCS 6) on 16^th July 2016. The U.S. Navy stated that USS JACKSON (LCS 6) “performed exceptionally well” during her third and final underwater explosion as part of her Full Ship Shock Trials (FSST). This is a significant milestone for the LCS program and Independence variant warship.

Last month, the U.S. Navy commenced FSST on USS JACKSON to validate her operational survivability after exposure to underwater shock.

Independence variant Littoral Combat Ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) completing the first of three full-ship shock trials. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael Bevan/Released)

Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said this test now completes the physical shock trials for the LCS program and noted the positive reaction by the United States Navy, following the trial. “We’re very pleased with the performance of the USS JACKSON during these Full Ship Shock Trials, following the extensive work program that has been implemented on the ship to meet this standard. Whilst the Navy will continue to assess the results for several months the final test appears to validate the ability of our aluminum trimaran to operate and survive after exposure to underwater shock.”

The following press release from the United States Navy refers;

http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Media/News/Article/849527/uss-jackson-completes-full-ship-shock- trials/

Austal delivered the USS JACKSON (LCS 6) to the U.S. Navy, on the 11^th August 2015 and delivered the future USS MONTGOMERY (LCS 8) to the U.S. Navy in June 2016. Six additional Independence variant LCS remain under construction at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama - as part of an 11-ship contract worth over US$3.5 billion from the U.S. Navy. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS (LCS 10), OMAHA (LCS 12) and MANCHESTER (LCS 14) are all preparing for sea trials, whilst assembly is well underway on TULSA (LCS 16) and CHARLESTON (LCS 18). Modules for CINCINNATI (LCS 20) are under construction in Austal’s module manufacturing facility (MMF).

-ENDS-

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.