Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Ronald O'Rourke Specialist in Naval Affairs August 10, 2012 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov RL33741 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Summary The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a relatively inexpensive Navy surface combatant equipped with modular “plug-and-fight” mission packages. The Navy wants to field a force of 55 LCSs. Twelve LCSs have been funded through FY2012, and the FY2013-FY2017 Future Years Defense Plan (FYDP) calls for procuring 16 more, in annual quantities of 4-4-4-2-2. The Navy’s proposed FY2013 budget requests $1,785.0 million in procurement funding for the four LCSs requested for FY2013. The Navy’s proposed budget also requests $102.6 million in procurement funding for LCS mission modules. There are two very different LCS designs—one developed by an industry team led by Lockheed, and another developed by an industry team that was led by General Dynamics. The Lockheed design is built at the Marinette Marine shipyard at Marinette, WI; the General Dynamics design is built at the Austal USA shipyard at Mobile, AL. LCSs 1, 3, 5, and so on are Marinette Marine- built ships; LCSs 2, 4, 6, and so on are Austal-built ships. The 20 LCSs procured or scheduled for procurement in FY2010-FY2015—LCSs 5 through 24— are being acquired under a pair of 10-ship block buy contracts. Congress granted the Navy the authority for the block buy contracts in Section 150 of H.R. 3082/P.L. 111-322 of December 22, 2010, and the Navy awarded the block buy contracts to Lockheed and Austal USA on December 29, 2010. The contracts are both fixed-price incentive (FPI) block-buy contracts. The LCS program has encountered controversy from time to time over the years over various program-related issues. Some observers, citing these issues, potential future Navy operations, and potential future constraints on defense spending, have proposed truncating the number of LCSs to be procured. In response to criticisms of the LCS program, the Navy over the years has acknowledged certain problems and stated that it was taking action to correct them, disputed other arguments made against the program, and maintained its support for the program and for procuring a total of 55 LCSs. Current issues for Congress concerning the LCS program include the LCS’s prospective mission performance and cost-effectiveness, the combat survivability of the LCS, hull cracking and engine problems on LCS-1, and corrosion on LCS-2. Congressional Research Service Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Contents Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 1 Background...................................................................................................................................... 1 The Program in General ............................................................................................................ 1 The LCS in Brief................................................................................................................. 1 Planned Procurement Quantities ......................................................................................... 2 Two LCS Designs................................................................................................................ 2 Two LCS Shipyards ............................................................................................................ 4 Mission Package Deliveries and Initial Operational Capability (IOC) Dates..................... 4 Manning and Deployment Concept..................................................................................... 5 Unit Procurement Cost Cap................................................................................................. 5 Acquisition Cost.................................................................................................................. 6 Operation and Support (O&S) Cost .................................................................................... 7 Major Program Developments................................................................................................... 8 Growth in Sea Frame Procurement Costs ........................................................................... 8 2007 Program Restructuring and Ship Cancellations.......................................................... 8 2009 Down Select Acquisition Strategy (Not Implemented).............................................. 8 2010 Dual-Award Acquisition Strategy (Implemented)...................................................... 9 Changes in Mission Module Equipment ........................................................................... 10 Controversy and Proposals to Truncate the Program .............................................................. 16 FY2013 Funding Request........................................................................................................ 17 Issues for Congress........................................................................................................................ 17 Mission Performance and Cost-Effectiveness......................................................................... 17 Changes in Mission Module Equipment ................................................................................. 22 Combat Survivability............................................................................................................... 22 Appropriateness of LCS Survivability Standard ............................................................... 22 Achieving the Survivability Standard (Shock Testing) ..................................................... 29 Hull Cracking and Engine Problems on LCS-1....................................................................... 31 Corrosion on LCS-2 ................................................................................................................ 37 Technical Risk ......................................................................................................................... 40 Sea Frame.......................................................................................................................... 40 Mission Packages .............................................................................................................. 41 Total Program Acquisition Cost .............................................................................................. 43 Separate SAR Reporting of Sea Frame and Mission Module Costs ....................................... 43 Operational Concepts .............................................................................................................. 44 Legislative Activity for FY2013.................................................................................................... 46 FY2013 Funding Request........................................................................................................ 46 FY2013 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4310/S. 3254) ........................................ 47 House................................................................................................................................. 47 Senate ................................................................................................................................ 48 FY2013 DOD Appropriations Bill (H.R. 5856) ...................................................................... 51 House................................................................................................................................. 51 Senate ................................................................................................................................ 51 Congressional Research Service Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program: Background and Issues for Congress Figures Figure 1. Lockheed LCS Design (Top) and General Dynamics LCS Design (Bottom) .................. 3 Tables Table 1. Past and Projected Annual Procurement Quantities........................................................... 2 Table 2. Construction Status of LCSs.............................................................................................. 4 Table C-1. Status of LCSs Funded in FY2005-FY2009 ................................................................ 63 Table E-1. Navy and CBO Estimates of Ship Procurement Costs Through FY2015 Under Down Select and Dual-Award Strategies.................................................................................... 85 Appendixes Appendix A. Summary of Congressional Action in FY2005-FY2012 .......................................... 52 Appendix B. Cost Growth on LCS Sea Frames in FY2007-FY2013 Budgets .............................. 54 Appendix C. 2007 Program Restructuring and Ship Cancellations............................................... 61 Appendix D. Down Select Acquisition Strategy Announced in September 2009 ......................... 64 Appendix E. Dual-Award Acquisition Strategy Announced in November 2010........................... 78 Appendix F. Navy Surface Ship Survivability Standards .............................................................. 90 Contacts Author Contact Information..........................................................................................................
Recommended publications
  • Expert Report by Dr Neville Anthony Armstrong, Expert of the Commission of Inquiry
    Commission of Inquiry into the Collision of Vessels near Lamma Island on 01.10.2012 3 January 2013 EXPERT REPORT PREPARED BY DR. NEVILLE ANTHONY ARMSTRONG Expert Witness appointed by the Commission of Inquiry into the Collision of Vessels near Lamma Island on 1 October 2012 3 January 2013 1 399 Report of: Dr. Neville A. Armstrong Commission of Inquiry into the Collision of Vessels near Lamma Island on 01.10.2012 Dr. Neville Anthony Armstrong Naval Architect of Fastships (Australia) Pty Ltd, Coogee, Western Australia Specialist Field Ship Hydrodynamics, Aluminium Ship Construction and Ship Safety Regulation, as : further detailed in Appendix I. Appointed on behalf of The Commission of Inquiry into the Collision of : Vessels near Lamma Island on 1 October 2012 (the “Commission”) Prepared for : The Commission On instructions of Messrs. Lo & Lo, solicitors for the Commission : (“Lo & Lo”) Subject matter / Scope of To assist the Commission in discharging its duties engagement: : under the Terms of Reference and by acting as an expert witness in the inquiry hearings. Documents reviewed : See Appendix II Documents referred to in this Report : See Appendix III Sketches, Photographs and Diagrams integral to this : See Appendix IV Report by the Author Date of Inspection of the two vessels involved in the : 11 December 2012 collision (Lamma IV and Sea Smooth) 2 400 Report of: Dr. Neville A. Armstrong Commission of Inquiry into the Collision of Vessels near Lamma Island on 01.10.2012 The Terms of Reference of the Commission are as follows: Inquire
    [Show full text]
  • Socially Conscious Australian Equity Holdings
    Socially Conscious Australian Equity Holdings As at 30 June 2021 Country of Company domicile Weight COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIA 10.56% CSL LTD AUSTRALIA 8.46% AUST AND NZ BANKING GROUP AUSTRALIA 5.68% NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LTD AUSTRALIA 5.32% WESTPAC BANKING CORP AUSTRALIA 5.08% TELSTRA CORP LTD AUSTRALIA 3.31% WOOLWORTHS GROUP LTD AUSTRALIA 2.93% FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LTD AUSTRALIA 2.80% TRANSURBAN GROUP AUSTRALIA 2.55% GOODMAN GROUP AUSTRALIA 2.34% WESFARMERS LTD AUSTRALIA 2.29% BRAMBLES LTD AUSTRALIA 1.85% COLES GROUP LTD AUSTRALIA 1.80% SUNCORP GROUP LTD AUSTRALIA 1.62% MACQUARIE GROUP LTD AUSTRALIA 1.54% JAMES HARDIE INDUSTRIES IRELAND 1.51% NEWCREST MINING LTD AUSTRALIA 1.45% SONIC HEALTHCARE LTD AUSTRALIA 1.44% MIRVAC GROUP AUSTRALIA 1.43% MAGELLAN FINANCIAL GROUP LTD AUSTRALIA 1.13% STOCKLAND AUSTRALIA 1.11% DEXUS AUSTRALIA 1.11% COMPUTERSHARE LTD AUSTRALIA 1.09% AMCOR PLC AUSTRALIA 1.02% ILUKA RESOURCES LTD AUSTRALIA 1.01% XERO LTD NEW ZEALAND 0.97% WISETECH GLOBAL LTD AUSTRALIA 0.92% SEEK LTD AUSTRALIA 0.88% SYDNEY AIRPORT AUSTRALIA 0.83% NINE ENTERTAINMENT CO HOLDINGS LIMITED AUSTRALIA 0.82% EAGERS AUTOMOTIVE LTD AUSTRALIA 0.82% RELIANCE WORLDWIDE CORP LTD UNITED STATES 0.80% SANDFIRE RESOURCES LTD AUSTRALIA 0.79% AFTERPAY LTD AUSTRALIA 0.79% CHARTER HALL GROUP AUSTRALIA 0.79% SCENTRE GROUP AUSTRALIA 0.79% ORORA LTD AUSTRALIA 0.75% ANSELL LTD AUSTRALIA 0.75% OZ MINERALS LTD AUSTRALIA 0.74% IGO LTD AUSTRALIA 0.71% GPT GROUP AUSTRALIA 0.69% Issued by Aware Super Pty Ltd (ABN 11 118 202 672, AFSL 293340) the trustee of Aware Super (ABN 53 226 460 365).
    [Show full text]
  • Austal Usa Delivers 11Th Independence Class Littoral Combat Ship – Future Uss Kansas City (Lcs 22)
    COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT 13 FEBRUARY 2020 AUSTAL USA DELIVERS 11TH INDEPENDENCE CLASS LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP – FUTURE USS KANSAS CITY (LCS 22) Austal Limited (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce that Austal USA has delivered its 11th Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) to the U.S. Navy at the company’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. The future USS Kansas City (LCS 22) is the first Independence-class LCS to be delivered by Austal USA in 2020. Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said the latest LCS delivery from Austal’s USA shipyard builds upon the company’s strong record in recent years. “Austal USA’s delivery of the Independence-class LCS program continues to impress, with quality, cost and productivity improvements being achieved with each new vessel. “We have now delivered 11 of the 19 Independence-class LCS currently contracted and it’s very pleasing to see more and more of these ships deployed around the world, adding great capability to the U.S. Navy,” Mr Singleton said. Upgrades to the LCS program continue to take shape, both in production and post-delivery. Austal USA and General Dynamics Mission Systems teams recently integrated a new over-the- horizon missile system onto the USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) prior to her deployment. Gabrielle Giffords and her sister ship, USS Montgomery (LCS 8), are currently deployed and meeting U.S. Navy operational requirements in South East Asia. Five Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships (small surface combatants) are under various stages of construction at Austal USA including the future USS Oakland (LCS 24) and USS Mobile (LCS 26) that are preparing for sea trials.
    [Show full text]
  • Lcs 20 Completes Acceptance Trials
    COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT 14 FEBRUARY 2019 LCS 20 COMPLETES ACCEPTANCE TRIALS AUSTAL (ASX: ASB) today announced its tenth Independence Class Littoral Combat Ship, the future USS Cincinnati (LCS 20) successfully completed acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico. Completing acceptance trials is the last significant milestone required by the U.S. Navy before the ship is delivered and commissioned into service. The trials involved the Navy conducting comprehensive tests to demonstrate the performance of the propulsion plant, ship-handling and auxiliary systems. "I can’t say enough about the positive results achieved by the Navy and industry team during these acceptance trials of the future USS Cincinnati. She’s well into her journey to being delivered to the Navy this summer and will provide needed and cost-effective warfighting capability to the fleet and the nation" Capt. Mike Taylor, US Navy LCS program manager said. “We are exceptionally proud of the LCS program, it is in a full rate of production and being delivered at a reliable and efficient pace. It is a real credit to our Austal USA team in Mobile,” David Singleton, Austal CEO said. Following delivery and commissioning, USS Cincinnati will join her nine sister ships already homeported in San Diego, USS Independence (LCS 2), USS Coronado (LCS 4), USS Jackson (LCS 6), USS Montgomery (LCS 8), USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), USS Omaha (LCS 12), USS Manchester (LCS 14), the future USS Tulsa (LCS 16) and the future USS Charleston (LCS 18). Austal USA currently has four LCS under construction. Final assembly is well underway on the future USS Kansas City (LCS 22) and USS Oakland (LCS 24).
    [Show full text]
  • Navy Perspective on Joint Force Interdependence
    Airmen working on Distributed Ground Station–1 Operations Floor at the U.S. Air Force’s 480th Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Wing (U.S. Air Force) Navy Perspective on Joint Force Interdependence By Jonathan Greenert ooking ahead to the Department line intelligently, innovate, and wisely more dramatic fiscal changes can lead of Defense’s (DOD’s) fiscal pros- use funds at our disposal. We need a to retrenchment. While Service rivalries L pects and security challenges in the broader conversation about how to cap- are somewhat natural, and a reflection second half of this decade and beyond, italize on each Service’s strengths and of esprit de corps, they are counter- the Services and their partners will “domain knowledge” to better integrate productive when they interfere with have to find ever more ingenious ways capabilities. Moving in this direction combat performance, reduce capability to come together. It is time for us to is not only about savings or cost avoid- for operational commanders, or produce think and act in a more ecumenical way ance; it is about better warfighting. unaffordable options for the Nation. as we build programs and capabilities. The DOD historical track record Rather than expending our finite energy We should build stronger ties, stream- shows episodic levels of joint deconflic- on rehashing roles and missions, or com- tion, coordination, and integration. Wars mitting fratricide as resources become and contingencies bring us together. constrained, we should find creative ways Admiral Jonathan Greenert is Chief of Naval Peacetime and budget pressures seem to to build and strengthen our connections.
    [Show full text]
  • MARITIME REPORTER and ENGINEERING NEWS Passenger Vessel Market
    www.marinelink.com w. in a r i t i ijje'ji^ MARITIME REPORTER AND ENGINEERING NEWS Passenger Vessel Market Full Steam Ahead^—The Diesel Evolution The new head of Rolls-Royce's marine A University study melds high tech with theory division intends to conquer the world to optimize diesel engine performance Australian Report • CAD/CAM Report • Marine Electronics: Monitoring & Control Ship's Store: Marine Propulsion Equipment • 2000: The Year in Statistics TRANSAS, £5 j m v i ji i J © M liquid Cargo Handling S • Navigational/Fishing simulators • GMDSS simulators m • Engine Room Simulators u rjj I' N 11 N IT—N • liquid Cargo Handling simulators n~n rrn rwn • Oil Spill Response Management simulator I Transas Marine (USA) Inc. Teh 1-425-778-4546 SETS THE STANDARD Fax:+1-425-771 4370 [email protected] Transas Marine Limited Transas China Transas Europe GmbH Transas Eurasia Transas (Scandinavia) AB Transas Latin America Tel: +44-2380-332 730 Tel: +86-21-68754663 Tel: +49-40-890 6660 Tel: +7-812-325 3131 Tel: +46-31-694 180 Tel: +54-11-4723 2827 Fax: +44-2380-233 439 Fax: +86-21-6875 4664 Fax: +49-40-881 1379 Fax: +7-812-567 9455 Fax: +46-31-694 184 Fax: +54-11-4723 2827 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.transas.com Circle 266 on Reader Service Card Finding The latest Industry News Just Got Easier OVER 70,000 NEWS GATHERING MARINE PROFESSIONALS CUSTOMIZED TO DEPEND ON US YOUR NEEDS..
    [Show full text]
  • Oversight Review of the U.S. Navy's Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Program" December 8, 2016
    i [H.A.S.C. No. 114–145] OVERSIGHT REVIEW OF THE U.S. NAVY’S LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP PROGRAM HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED FOURTEENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION HEARING HELD DECEMBER 8, 2016 U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 23–763 WASHINGTON : 2017 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Publishing Office Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov Phone: toll free (866) 512–1800; DC area (202) 512–1800 Fax: (202) 512–2104 Mail: Stop IDCC, Washington, DC 20402–0001 SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS VICKY HARTZLER, Missouri, Chairwoman JEFF MILLER, Florida JACKIE SPEIER, California K. MICHAEL CONAWAY, Texas JIM COOPER, Tennessee JOSEPH J. HECK, Nevada HENRY C. ‘‘HANK’’ JOHNSON, JR., Georgia AUSTIN SCOTT, Georgia GWEN GRAHAM, Florida MARTHA MCSALLY, Arizona HEATH BOPE, Professional Staff Member KATY QUINN, Professional Staff Member ANNA WATERFIELD, Clerk (II) C O N T E N T S Page STATEMENTS PRESENTED BY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS Hartzler, Hon. Vicky, a Representative from Missouri, Chairwoman, Subcom- mittee on Oversight and Investigations ............................................................. 1 Speier, Hon. Jackie, a Representative from California, Ranking Member, Sub- committee on Oversight and Investigations ...................................................... 3 WITNESSES Gilmore, Dr. J. Michael, Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, Depart- ment of Defense ...................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Single Sector Funds Portfolio Holdings
    ! Mercer Funds Single Sector Funds Portfolio Holdings December 2020 welcome to brighter Mercer Australian Shares Fund Asset Name 4D MEDICAL LTD ECLIPX GROUP LIMITED OOH MEDIA LIMITED A2 MILK COMPANY ELDERS LTD OPTHEA LIMITED ABACUS PROPERTY GROUP ELECTRO OPTIC SYSTEMS HOLDINGS LTD ORICA LTD ACCENT GROUP LTD ELMO SOFTWARE LIMITED ORIGIN ENERGY LTD ADBRI LTD EMECO HOLDINGS LTD OROCOBRE LTD ADORE BEAUTY GROUP LTD EML PAYMENTS LTD ORORA LTD AFTERPAY LTD ESTIA HEALTH LIMITED OZ MINERALS LTD AGL ENERGY LTD EVENT HOSPITALITY AND ENTERTAINMENT PACT GROUP HOLDINGS LTD ALKANE RESOURCES LTD EVOLUTION MINING LTD PARADIGM BIOPHARMACEUTICALS LTD ALS LIMITED FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE CORP LTD PENDAL GROUP LTD ALTIUM LTD FLETCHER BUILDING LTD PERENTI GLOBAL LTD ALUMINA LTD FLIGHT CENTRE TRAVEL GROUP LTD PERPETUAL LTD AMA GROUP LTD FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LTD PERSEUS MINING LTD AMCOR PLC FREEDOM FOODS GROUP LIMITED PHOSLOCK ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES AMP LTD G8 EDUCATION LTD PILBARA MINERALS LTD AMPOL LTD GALAXY RESOURCES LTD PINNACLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT GRP LTD ANSELL LTD GDI PROPERTY GROUP PLATINUM INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LTD APA GROUP GENWORTH MORTGAGE INSRNC AUSTRALIA LTD POINTSBET HOLDINGS LTD APPEN LIMITED GOLD ROAD RESOURCES LTD POLYNOVO LIMITED ARB CORPORATION GOODMAN GROUP PTY LTD PREMIER INVESTMENTS LTD ARDENT LEISURE GROUP GPT GROUP PRO MEDICUS LTD ARENA REIT GRAINCORP LTD QANTAS AIRWAYS LTD ARISTOCRAT LEISURE LTD GROWTHPOINT PROPERTIES AUSTRALIA LTD QBE INSURANCE GROUP LTD ASALEO CARE LIMITED GUD HOLDINGS LTD QUBE HOLDINGS LIMITED ASX LTD
    [Show full text]
  • Navy Littoral Combat Ship/Frigate (LCS/FF) Program: Background and Issues for Congress
    Navy Littoral Combat Ship/Frigate (LCS/FF) Program: Background and Issues for Congress (name redacted) Specialist in Naval Affairs May 19, 2017 Congressional Research Service 7-.... www.crs.gov RL33741 Navy Littoral Combat Ship/Frigate (LCS/FF) Program Summary The Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship/Frigate (LCS/FF) program is a program to procure a total of 40, and possibly as many as 52, small surface combatants (SSCs), meaning LCSs and frigates. The LCS/FF program has been controversial over the years due to past cost growth, design and construction issues with the first LCSs, concerns over the survivability of LCSs (i.e., their ability to withstand battle damage), concerns over whether LCSs are sufficiently armed and would be able to perform their stated missions effectively, and concerns over the development and testing of the modular mission packages for LCSs. The Navy’s execution of the program has been a matter of congressional oversight attention for several years. Two very different LCS designs are currently being built. One was developed by an industry team led by Lockheed; the other was developed by an industry team that was led by General Dynamics. The design developed by the Lockheed-led team is built at the Marinette Marine shipyard at Marinette, WI, with Lockheed as the prime contractor; the design developed by the team that was led by General Dynamics is built at the Austal USA shipyard at Mobile, AL, with Austal USA as the prime contractor. The Navy’s proposed FY2017 budget requested $1,125.6 million for the procurement of the 27th and 28th LCSs, or an average of $562.8 million for each ship.
    [Show full text]
  • Benchijigua Express AUTO EXPRESS 127 “BENCHIJIGUA EXPRESS”
    Benchijigua Express AUTO EXPRESS 127 “BENCHIJIGUA EXPRESS”... IS QUITE SIMPLY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT VESSEL TO ARRIVE ON THE FAST FERRY STAGE IN RECENT YEARS AND IS SET TO IMPROVE FAST SEA TRANSPORTATION AND OPEN NEW MARKETS BEYOND THE ABILITY OF EXISTING FAST FERRY DESIGNS. CONTENTS C HAIRMEN’S STATEMENTS 3 IN SEARCH OF PASSENGER COMFORT 4 THE TRIMARAN CONCEPT 8 INTERIOR DESIGN 1 0 THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS 1 6 ENGINE SELECTION 1 8 PROPULSION & MANOEUVERING 2 1 A MILESTONE FOR THE CLASSIFICATION SOCIETY 2 3 ” PRINCIPAL PARTICULARS 2 4 INNOVATIVE FINANCE FOR AN INNOVATIVE DESIGN 2 5 THE AUSTAL COFFERDAM 2 6 ABOUT FRED.OLSEN, S.A. 2 7 OPERATIONS 2 9 FUTURE TRIMARAN APPLICATIONS 3 0 AUSTAL AUTO EXPRESS 127 “BENCHIJIGUA EXPRESS 1 ” Austal workforce at the launch of “Benchijigua Express”. AUSTAL AUTO EXPRESS 127 “BENCHIJIGUA EXPRESS 2 CHAIRMEN’S STATEMENTS MR JOHN ROTHWELL A.O. willingness to support this development phase before a CHAIRMAN, AUSTAL shipbuilding contract was signed. From the outset Austal has endeavoured to be the builder Having now tested the vessel in a wide range of conditions of choice for fast ferry transportation, exemplified in a we are delighted to see the new ferry design exceeding large part by our commitment to customised design and our expectations. The trimaran is a genuine step forward for to provide our customers the best possible solution for their the industry and for the first time enables operators facing operations. difficult sea conditions to specify a vessel based on payload The delivery of “Benchijigua Express” is a substantial without sacrificing sea keeping.
    [Show full text]
  • Austal Finalises Agreement with General Dynamics Bath Iron Works for Littoral Combat Ship Planning Yard Design Services Contract
    COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT 27 MAY 2015 AUSTAL FINALISES AGREEMENT WITH GENERAL DYNAMICS BATH IRON WORKS FOR LITTORAL COMBAT SHIP PLANNING YARD DESIGN SERVICES CONTRACT Austal Limited (Austal) (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce that Austal USA and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works have executed a sub-contract for Littoral Combat Ship Planning Yard Design Services. This was previously announced as a teaming arrangement in August 2014. The work, scheduled to begin in June 2015, includes requirements for hull, mechanical, and electrical services, including; engineering, planning, ship configuration, material, and logistics support to maintain and modernize the Independence variant of the LCS class. Austal will perform the majority of these tasks for the Independence-variant LCS at its Mobile, Alabama shipyard. A portion of these tasks will also be performed at the Austal Service Centre in San Diego, California. -Ends- About Austal Austal is a global defence prime contractor and a designer and manufacturer of defence and commercial ships. For more than 25 years Austal has been a leader in the design, construction and maintenance of revolutionary ships for Governments, Navies and Ferry operators around the world. More than 250 vessels have been delivered in that time. Ships Defence vessels designed and built by Austal include multi-mission combatants, such as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) for the United States Navy and military high speed vessels for transport and humanitarian relief, such as the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) for the United States Navy and High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV) for the Royal Navy of Oman. Austal also designs, constructs, integrates and maintains an extensive range of patrol and auxiliary vessels for government agencies globally, including the Cape Class Patrol Boat Program for Australian Customs and Border Protection.
    [Show full text]
  • Home Hawaiian Raptors
    What’s INSIDE DBIDS to be implemented O’Kane brings hoops Joint Base to celebrate Magic show coming to at JBPHH this month championship back to Earth Day at Hickam Sharkey Theater > A-3 ship Harbor >B-4 > B1 >B-3 April 15, 2016 www.cnic.navy.mil/hawaii www.hookelenews.com Volume 7 Issue 14 Welcome home Hawaiian Raptors Story and photos by Fighter Squadron, supported area of responsibility encom- coalition forces and conducted September Tech. Sgt. Aaron Oelrich by the Hawaii Air National passes the Southwest Asia our operations flawlessly,” 2015. Guard’s 154th Maintenance and most of the Middle East. said one of the pilots from the 15th Wing Public Affairs Squadron and the active duty The Hawaiian Raptors were Hawaii Air National Guard. 15th Maintenance Squadron. an integral part of Operation The F-22 fighter aircraft Editor’s note: Because of se- The deployment to the Inherent Resolve. and the Airmen of the Hawai- curity considerations and host Central Command area of re- “Our Airmen performed ex- ian Raptors started this nation sensitivities, the Ha- sponsibility marked the first tremely well and they did it mission by departing waii Air National Guard will operational deployment for with the Aloha spirit. Mainte- from Joint Base not release the names of its the Hawaiian Raptors. The nance did an outstanding job, Pearl Harbor- personnel who deployed, and Cen- tral Command and met all their tasks. We in- Hickam the country, or base where the tegrated well with the other in late Raptors operated. Friends and family cele- brate the homecoming of their loved ones as they returned to Joint Base Pearl Har- bor-Hickam, April 8.
    [Show full text]