Mobile, Aug. 31, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Austal USA delivered its ninth Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) to the U.S. Navy today – the third LCS delivered by Austal this year. The future USS Charleston (LCS 18) will be the sixteenth LCS to enter the fleet.
“The Austal team is excited to provide our great Sailors with another incredible warship,” said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle. “The patriotic spirit and dedication of Austal’s talented employees, the excellent teamwork with our Navy customer and industry suppliers and the full support of our local, state, and federal legislators have all combined to bring about a mature and successful LCS program.”
Continued Perciavalle. “Knowing the important roll these awesome ships, that were built right here at Austal in Mobile, Alabama, will play in our future 355-ship Navy gives us an amazing sense of pride.”
Five LCS remain under construction at Austal’s Alabama shipyard. Cincinnati (LCS 20) is preparing for sea trials. Assembly is underway on Kansas City (LCS 22) and Oakland (LCS 24) and modules for Mobile (LCS 26) and Savannah (LCS 28) are under construction. Construction on Canberra (LCS 30) is scheduled to begin in early 2019.
Seven Independence-variant LCS are currently homeported in San Diego. “Austal is pleased with the feedback we have received from the Navy regarding the work these ships are doing on the West coast,” said Perciavalle.
More than 700 suppliers in 40 states contribute to the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship program. This supplier base supports tens of thousands of small business to large business jobs.
Austal is also under contract to build 12 Expeditionary Fast Transport vessels (EPF) for the U.S. Navy. The company has delivered nine EPFs while an additional two are in various stages of construction.
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