Austal snares third US Navy contract

Perth shipbuilder Austal has snared its third contract from the US Navy in less than one month, announcing it will develop a preliminary design under the USN’s light amphibious warship (LAW) program.

The navy envisages a fleet of between 28 and 30 LAW warships to support the Marine Corps from 2023.

The requirement is for ships 60 to 120 metres in length with the ability embark at least 75 marines supporting the navy’s expeditionary advanced base operations operational concept.

On June 7 @AuManufacturing reported that Austal had won a $3.6 million contract to design a new class of vessel – the new Navajo class Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ship (T-ATS).

Then two days later Austal revealed it had been awarded a $56.9 million contract to develop and demonstrate autonomous operation of its Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessels.

Austal is building 15 EFP vessels for the USN at its yard in Mobile, Alabama (pictured).

The company did not reveal the value of this, its third major contract in only a month.

However Austal is one of five companies developing LAW concepts.

A single shipyard is expected to be down-selected for a detailed design and construction contract by the end of the third quarter of 2022.

Austal CEO Paddy Gregg said: “Austal USA is well placed to pursue the LAW opportunity with a proven capability to deliver multiple naval shipbuilding programs and new steel manufacturing facilities now under construction.”.

Picture: Austal/Mobile, Alabama shipyard.

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