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Austal USA has delivered its 14th Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) to the U.S. Navy, from the company’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama.
Achieving significant gains in production efficiency, the future USS Savannah (LCS 28) was completed by Austal USA in just under three years, a full twelve months earlier than previous ships delivered under the same program.
Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the delivery of LCS 28 highlighted Austal USA’s proven capabilities to deliver multiple, complex naval shipbuilding programs efficiently, on schedule, and within budget.
“Savannah is the seventh ship delivered by Austal USA to the U.S. Navy in just 2 years, which is an incredible achievement,” Mr Gregg said.
“The Austal USA team have developed industry-leading efficiencies in Mobile, to construct both the Independence-class LCS and Spearhead-class EPF on schedule and within budget.
“The entire Austal USA team are to be commended on their skills, drive and commitment to developing the United States’ shipbuilding industrial base, and the delivery of this latest capability to the Navy.”
The Independence-class LCS is a fast, agile, and focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments, whilst still capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric ‘anti-access’ threats, such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. The 127-meter high-speed trimaran hull warship integrates new technology to support current and future mission capability from deep water to the littoral zone.
Five Independence-class LCS and two Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport ships (EPF) are currently under construction at Austal USA, with two additional ships, LCS 38 and EPF 15, under contract and soon to commence construction.
