The latest innovation in near-shore naval technology has been unveiled at Austal’s US shipyard following the recent launch of its Australian-designed 127 metre Littoral Combat Ship “Independence” (LCS 2).

Built for the US Navy, LCS 2 is a new generation high speed warship designed to carry out a range of operations, including mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and perform as a surface attack craft in the near-shore (littoral) environment.

Australian-based shipbuilder Austal is the vessel designer and builder for the General Dynamics Team which, along with Lockheed Martin, are the two consortiums selected by the US Navy as potential suppliers of a 55-vessel LCS fleet.

The aluminium vessel’s shallow draft, high payload carrying capacity, large internal mission deck, superior seakeeping and speed – made possible by Austal’s trimaran seaframe – is designed to significantly bolster the US Navy’s littoral capabilities.

As the company celebrates its 20th year, Austal Executive Manager Stephen Lupi said the successful launch indicated just how far the company had come.

“Our Australian engineers are now responsible for designing a revolutionary combat ship for the most powerful navy in the world, while our US yard has successfully constructed and launched the largest and most sophisticated aluminium warship built to date,” Mr Lupi said.

“Since keel laying in January 2006, “Independence” has steadily progressed within our purpose-built US construction facility in Mobile, Alabama, toward becoming what we believe will be a formidable warship,” he said.

Austal’s 127 metre trimaran seaframe is the platform for the LCS’s mission and weapon systems, providing superior seakeeping and aviation through its long, slender central hull and smaller side hulls (“amahs”).

According to Austal, the vessel’s large flight deck is capable of conducting dual H-60 helicopter operations, or alternately accommodating the US Navy’s largest helicopter, the H-53. The vertical location of the flight deck on the trimaran hull form provides the highest flight deck elevation on a combatant ship, other than a major amphibious vessel or aircraft carrier.

“Independence” will be moored alongside the Austal USA facility while the test and activation of combat and other onboard systems are completed. Sea trials are expected to commence later this year.

The vessel is one of two alternative ship designs which will be evaluated by the US Navy as part of a plan to expand its existing fleet to 313 ships. Testing of the two competing prototype ship designs is expected to commence by the end of the year.  

Since commencing operations in 1988 with a vision to build high quality commercial vessels for the international market, Austal has grown to become the world’s largest manufacturer of aluminium commercial and defence vessels.

Austal entered the defence market in 1998 with an order for eight 38m patrol boats for the Australian Customs Service. It has since exported a variety of defence vessels from smaller police boats to larger patrol boat fleets to countries including Yemen, Kuwait and Bermuda.

Austal’s Australian shipyards, located in Western Australia and Tasmania, are currently building six 30 metre patrol boats for Trinidad and Tobago and three 22 metre police boats for the Queensland Police Service. Last year Austal delivered the last of fourteen 56 metre Armidale Class Patrol Boats it designed and built for the Royal Australian Navy.

In 2001, Austal became the first company to supply the US military with a high speed vessel, the 101 metre Theatre Support Vessel “WestPac Express”, which currently serves with the Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) based in Okinawa.

In February, Austal was awarded one of three Preliminary Design Contracts for the US Navy and Army’s Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV). The JHSV is a new generation of multi-use platform capable of transporting troops and their equipment, supporting humanitarian relief efforts and operating in shallow waters while reaching speeds of more than 35 knots. Austal is bidding as Prime contractor and is currently one of three companies awarded a Preliminary Design Contract.