Philly Shipyard teams with BMT on Navy T-AGOS (X) studies

Philly Shipyard Inc., the sole operating subsidiary of Philly Shipyard ASA (Oslo: PHLY), is to participate in the U.S. Navy’s Auxiliary General Ocean Surveillance (T-AGOS(X)) industry studies under an award made to its teammate and prime contractor, BMT Designers & Planners Inc.

The industry studies address technical solutions and design tradeoffs, provide recommendations to improve producibility and affordability, and include technical reviews of the Navy’s evolving ship design.

BMT says the contract is a key step in the recapitalization of the Navy’s ocean surveillance capabilities as the existing T-AGOS ships reach the end of their service life. T-AGOS capabilities emphasize gathering and processing of undersea acoustic data, which is crucial to tracking submarines. The unique SWATH (small waterplane area twin-hull) hull form offers high stability at slow speeds and in adverse weather conditions.

BMT’s portfolio includes multiple SWATH and semi-SWATH hull forms, including the U.S. Navy’s Sea Fighter (FSF-1), used as a testbed for advanced ship design and innovation. BMT’s ModCat semi-SWATH hull form has also been employed in ocean-going ferries and more recently in offshore wind farm support vessels (WFSVs).

“This vessel class and the operational capability it contains form an important element of our nation’s maritime strategy,” said Kai Skvarla, president of BMT’s U.S. defense business. “The project is an exciting engineering and design opportunity that will be rewarding for the BMT design team.”

Following the industry studies effort, a separate T-AGOS(X) Lead ship Detail Design and Construction (DD&C) contract award is planned in FY22, with ship delivery scheduled for FY25.

On completion of the industry studies, bidders will compete for the DD&C contract. A contract award for the DD&C of the first vessel, plus options for up to six additional vessels, is anticipated in 2022.

Steinar Nerbovik, Philly Shipyard President and CEO, remarked “Philly Shipyard is excited to take part in these industry studies. Working alongside BMT, together we look forward to providing the detailed research that will shape the future of these vessels and the important mission they serve.”

Philly Shipyard is now participating in industry studies for three U.S. Government shipbuilding programs, including the T-AGOS program. Philly Shipyard will continue its work on the other two industry studies, one supporting the U.S. Navy’s Common Hull Auxiliary Multi-Mission Platform (CHAMP) program and another supporting the U.S. Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) program.