$691 million mod to Austal LCS contract funds two more

APRIL 1, 2015 — Austal USA reports that the U.S. Navy has issued a modification to Contract N00024-11-C-2301 that funds the last two ships of the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Block Buy Contract for $691,032,482.

The modification brings the total ships number of ships funded under the Block Buy to ten. In the modification, the Navy has also established an optional 11th ship that could be awarded in FY 16. The option, if exercised, would bring the total of the Independence-variant built by Austal to 13 ships, including 11 ships as the prime contractor.

“The Navy’s confidence in Austal’s ability to continue to produce these incredible ships only serves to increase the level of pride and dedication that Austal USA and our employees exhibit daily while working to meet the needs of our sailors.” said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle. “The success of this program is a direct result of great teamwork with our suppliers and the full support of our local, state, and federal legislators.”

The shipbuilder says that the Independence-variant LCS program is maturing rapidly and gaining momentum with seven ships under various stages of construction, including Jackson (LCS 6) which has begun sea trials and is preparing for delivery this summer. Montgomery (LCS 8) is preparing for sea trials and delivery by the end of the year.Austal, as prime contractor, is teamed with General Dynamics Mission Systems for the Independence-variant LCS program. As the ship systems integrator, General Dynamics is responsible for the design, integration and testing of the combat management, navigation, C4I, and aviation systems.

Austal has also been contracted by the U.S. Navy to build ten 103-meter Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) under a 10-ship, $1.6 billion block buy contract, four of which have already been delivered. USNS Trenton (JHSV 5) recently successfully completed Acceptance Trials and is scheduled to be delivered in April. Three additional JHSVs are also under construction at Austal’s Mobile, AL, shipyard.