Mobile’s Austal USA awarded contract to build two more LCS’s for US Navy

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Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., was awarded a contract modification by the U.S. Navy to build two additional Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), LCS 32 and 34, its sixteenth and seventeenth ships in the class. The specific value of each contract is under the congressional cost cap of $584 million per ship.

The contracts were announced Tuesday by the Department of Defense.

“To be awarded these Independence-variant contracts in such a highly competitive environment is a great honor,” said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle. “This is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our talented employees and dedicated supplier network, and further evidence of the important role Austal plays in building the Navy’s 355-ship fleet.”

Alabama 1st District U.S. Rep. Bradley Byrne, who represents Mobile in Congress, called the contract award “another indication of the high quality work being performed” in Mobile.

“The fact that Austal received two of the three contracts from Fiscal Year 2018 for Littoral Combat Ships is yet another indication of the high quality work being performed at our shipyard in Mobile,” Byrne said in a statement. “This marks the third straight year that Austal has received two of the three contracts – a testament to the fact we are delivering capable ships on time and on budget. Congratulations to the almost 4,000 men and women who work at the shipyard and help equip the Navy with warships.”

Austal USA is scheduled to begin construction on the ships in 2019.

“This amazing team effort highlights the value and importance of the American industrial base, and these awards will keep Austal busy building ships into 2023” said Perciavalle.

Austal delivered the future USS Charleston (LCS 18) to the Navy last month and is scheduled to deliver USNS Burlington (EPF 10) before the end of the year. With eight LCS and nine EPFs already delivered, Austal-built ships are impacting worldwide operations.

“It’s exciting to hear the positive feedback from the fleet commanders on how well our ships match their mission requirements as they operate globally,” added Perciavalle. “We will continue to  build these ships in a safe and timely manner with the quality and craftsmanship that Austal has come to be known for.”