Austal commences construction on LCS 30
AUSTAL (ASX: ASB) has celebrated the metal cutting on the Company’s fifteenth Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS 30), the future USS Canberra, the company said in its release.
The LCS is a 127m frigate-sized vessel that is highly manoeuvrable, lethal and adaptable. The ship is designed to support focused mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions. The Independence-class LCS integrates new technology and capability to affordably support current and future capability of the US Navy, from deep water to littoral operations.
The Austal designed and built Littoral Combat Ship is Australia’s biggest defence export. Nine ships are already in service with the United States Navy with the tenth to join shortly, having recently completed acceptance trials. With the start of construction of LCS 30, five vessels are in various stages of construction with an additional four vessels on order.
The future USS Canberra’s sponsor is Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Marise Payne. A ship’s sponsor plays a unique role for the US Navy, becoming part of the ship’s history, as an honorary permanent member of the crew and advocate. The sponsor typically attends all milestone events of the ships, most notably the christening of the vessel where it receives its official name to enter service.
The Independence-class LCS, along with Austal USA’s highly successful Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), is designed, constructed and well positioned to meet the needs of the fleet today and into the future. The flexibility and capacity of the Austal USA shipyard, the Independence-variant LCS, and the EPF are well suited to rapidly and efficiently support the Navy’s desired fleet of 355 ships with affordable solutions.
