Alabama ship builder awarded $53.4 million contract to equip high-speed, high-payload transport ships

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October 29, 2015

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 20, 2013) The Military Sealift Command joint high-speed vessel USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) conducted high-speed trials, reaching speeds of approximately 40 knots off the coast of Virginia. Adm. Bill Gortney, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces, was aboard for the trial and was on the first helicopter to make a regularly scheduled passenger landing on the ship since passing its initial certification. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Phil Beaufort/Released) — The Military Sealift Command joint high-speed vessel USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) conducted high-speed trials, reaching speeds of approximately 40 knots off the coast of Virginia. (c/o: U.S. Navy)

MOBILE, Ala. – Austal, a global defense contractor, designer, and manufacturer of defense and commercial ships, was awarded a $53.4 million contract to procure long-lead materials for the 11th Expeditionary Fast Transport for the U.S. Navy.

The award covers materials including main propulsion engines, generators, water jets, main reduction gears, and other long-lead time items.

“We are excited that the Navy is building on the momentum and the maturity of the original contract and extending it beyond the first ten ships,” said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle. “We look forward to building on Austal’s relationship with the U.S. Navy by continuing to provide quality, value and capability in our ships.”

This award comes after Austal delivered its third state-of-the-art, Mobile-built combat ship to the U.S. Navy this year.

Austal was awarded a $1.6 billion contract in November 2008 that initiated the Navy’s Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) program. The 2008 contract was set for Austal to build 10 joint high speed vessels for the U.S. Navy, with five JHSVs having currently been delivered while an additional three are in various stages of construction.

However, the Navy is now extending the original contract and providing funding to initiate procurement of long-lead materials for Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ships. The structure of the EPF provides the opportunity to conduct a wide range of missions, from humanitarian efforts and disaster relief to the possibility of special operations support, command and control. The 338-ft Spearhead-class EPF is currently providing high-speed, high-payload transport capability to fleet and combatant commanders.

Perciavalle believes that the success of Austal is a result of the Austal Alabamian employees. Previously, Perciavalle has raved about the advantages of doing business in the state of Alabama. Austal employs approximately 4,000 Alabamians in the Mobile area, and Perciaville says that the Navy’s $53.4 million award is evidence of their hard work.

“Due to the level of maturity this program has reached, and the efficiency of our material procurement to date, we have earned the Navy’s confidence to make this award,” said Perciavalle. “This is a testament to the hard work of Austal’s awesome employees building incredible ships.”

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