AUSTAL USA DELIVERS TWELFTH INDEPENDENCE-CLASS LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP TO U.S. NAVY

COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT

29 JUNE 2020

AUSTAL USA DELIVERS TWELFTH INDEPENDENCE-CLASS LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP TO U.S. NAVY

Austal Limited (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce that Austal USA has delivered its 12th Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) to the U.S. Navy, from the company’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama.

The future USS Oakland (LCS 24) is the second ship delivered by Austal USA to the U.S. Navy in 2020, following the delivery of USS Kansas City (LCS 22) in February.

Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said the latest LCS delivery, during the current COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrates Austal USA’s commitment and capability to deliver in a challenging operating environment.

“There is a strong sense of pride and accomplishment at Austal USA with the successful delivery of LCS 24, during this current COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr Singleton said.

“Austal USA has met the challenge to safely and efficiently maintain the delivery schedule of the future USS Oakland, while continuing to perform a critical role in the United States’ defence industrial base.”

The Independence-class LCS is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric “anti-access” threats, such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. The 127 metre high-speed trimaran hull warship integrates new technology and capability to support current and future mission capability from deep water to the littorals.

Five LCSs are presently under various stages of construction at Austal USA’s Mobile, Alabama shipyard; the future USS Mobile (LCS 26) is preparing for sea trials. Assembly is underway on the future USS Savannah (LCS 28) and USS Canberra (LCS 30), while modules for the future USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) and USS Augusta (LCS 34) are under construction in the module manufacturing facility (MMF). The future USS Kingsville (LCS 36) and USS Pierre (LCS 38) are under contract.

Austal USA is also under contract to build 14 Expeditionary Fast Transport vessels (EPF) for the U.S. Navy, with 11 vessels already delivered, an additional two vessels in various stages of construction and 1 scheduled.

The future USS Oakland (LCS24) is the 12^th Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship to be delivered by Austal USA (Image: Austal)

This ASX announcement has been approved and authorised for release by David Singleton, Austal Limited’s Chief Executive Officer.

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Media Contact:

Cameron Morse

+61 433 886 871

cameron.morse@fticonsulting.com