Austal

Austal USA has successfully launched the future USS Pierre (LCS 38), the 19th Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), for the US Navy. Austal USA’s test and activation #team will now spend the next several months preparing her for sea trials, to be completed later this year. Pierre is the second US Navy ship to be launched at Austal USA in 2024. #austal #austalUSA #usnavy #USSPierre #LCS38 #launch #independence-variant #littoralcombatship

One of the genuine highlights of the recent Indian Ocean Defence & Security (IODS) Conference in Perth was the 2024 Defence & Industry Dinner, in collaboration with the RSL WA Better Together Ball. The sold-out black-tie event, hosted by Defence West and AMDA Foundation Limited was attended by nearly 1,000 people from across the Australian Defence Industry and the local Western Australian community, in support of RSL WA, Legacy WA, and WA Police Legacy. Prior to a truly moving speech by Prof. Kylie Russell, widow of Australian Army Sgt. Andrew Russell, that got us all thinking about how we can better support our veterans and their families, another heartfelt acknowledgement was made for one of our industry's most highly regarded and respected individuals - RADM Davyd Thomas AO, CSC RAN (Retd). RADM Wendy Malcolm AM CSM RAN, Head Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships and VADM Jonathan Mead, AO RAN, Director General Australian Submarine Agency, delivered individual speeches; announcing Davyd’s retirement from Austal and highlighting their experience with Davyd, in his various roles over many years at the Royal Australian Navy. ‘Nipper’, as he is widely and affectionately known, is retiring after a distinguished career totalling 50 years of dedicated service to the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian defence industry. Davyd joined the Navy in 1974 and after graduating from the RAN College, quickly rose through the ranks, serving on a wide variety of platforms including patrol boats, guided missile destroyers, destroyer escorts and guided missile frigates. During his career, Davyd Thomas had command of the guided missile frigate HMAS Darwin, for which he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) in 1997, and also HMAS Newcastle for Operation Slipper in the Persian Gulf, for which he was awarded the Commendation for Distinguished Service in 2003. He was subsequently appointed Commander of the Australian Fleet, Commander of the Australian Defence College and ultimately, Deputy Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, in 2008. Following his retirement from full time service with the Navy in 2011, Davyd joined Austal as VP Defence, where he has played a crucial and highly influential role in developing new business for our shipbuilding teams around the world. Highly respected, with boundless energy and enthusiasm, a sharp wit and cheeky sense of humour, Davyd has developed and maintained valuable working relationships, and genuine friendships, with leaders throughout the Australian and global defence industries, military and government organisations. We wish Davyd ‘fair winds and following seas’ in his retirement and thank him again, for his dedication, loyalty and commitment to Australia’s defence force, defence industry, naval shipbuilding and sovereign capability. Watch all the speeches and presentations from the Dinner, including Davyd Thomas’ acknowledgments, at https://lnkd.in/gJMFgC9B #davydthomas #nipper #legend

Austal USA has been awarded a US$54,997,317 (A$84,455,364) fixed-priced incentive (firm-target) contract modification for the construction of two additional Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1700-class vessels for the US Navy. Austal USA was awarded an initial contract for the construction of three Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1700-class vessels, with options for an additional nine vessels, in September 2023. The potential value of the contract for up to 12 vessels is US$379.7 million (AUD$587.6 million). This contract modification brings the total number of LCU currently scheduled or under construction at Austal USA to five. Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the contract modification confirms Austal USA’s successful start to construction of the first LCU vessel for the United States Navy, and again highlights the steel shipbuilding capability of Austal’s Mobile, Alabama facility. “The United States Navy has recognised that Austal USA has made a great start to construction on the first LCU craft and has now exercised options for another two vessels; to be constructed at the Mobile, Alabama shipyard,” Mr Gregg said. “The Austal USA team continue to demonstrate their industry leading capabilities to manage multiple steel naval shipbuilding projects for the United States Navy such as Towing, Salvage and Rescue (T-ATS) ships and Ocean Surveillance (T-AGOS) ships. “We look forward to seeing these LCU 1700 class vessels join the fleet in the coming years and thank the United States Navy for again showing their great confidence in Austal USA’s shipbuilding capabilities.” The steel hull, Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1700-class are a heavy-lift capability with 170-ton payload capacity. They will be deployed with the United States Navy’s amphibious assault ships to support a range of military operations including the delivery of tracked and/or wheeled vehicles, troops and cargo from ship to shore, shore to shore, and back to ship. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/g8_pag3h #austal #austalusa #usnavy #landingcraftutility #LCU1700

Austal Australia has delivered the seventh of ten Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPB’s) under contract to the Royal Australian Navy. The vessel, ADV Cape Solander, was officially accepted by Defence Australia at Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard. Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said Cape Solander was the first of two Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats scheduled for delivery to the Royal Australian Navy in CY2024. “The Austal Australia team are continuing to demonstrate outstanding capability, productivity and efficiency with the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat Project, that now comprises ten vessels for the Royal Australian Navy. “Working closely with our valued supply chain partners and the project teams from the Department of Defence and Royal Australian Navy, the Austal Australia team is collaborating effectively to deliver sovereign capability for Australia. “Our congratulations to the Royal Australian Navy on the delivery of their latest Evolved Cape and our thanks to the Austal team, Department of Defence and our industry partners for their continued dedication, commitment and efforts in delivering this latest, benchmark patrol boat.” The SEA1445-1 Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat (ECCPB) project, initially constructing six 58-metre aluminium monohull patrol boats for the Royal Australian Navy from May 2020, was extended by two vessels in April 2022 and a further two vessels in February 2024, bringing the total to ten vessels. ADV Cape Schanck, the 8th ECCPB, is scheduled for delivery in the second half of CY2024 and two further vessels remain under construction at Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard. The Evolved Capes feature new, larger amenities to accommodate up to 32 people, improved quality of life systems and advanced sustainment intelligence systems that further enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s ability to fight and win at sea. The patrol boats will be utilised for a wide variety of constabulary and naval missions and play a critical role in Australia’s national security, as a high-performing, reliable and effective maritime asset. In-Service Support for the Cape, Evolved Cape and Guardian-class Patrol Boat fleets operated by the Australian Border Force, Royal Australian Navy and Pacific Island nations is provided by Austal Australia through dedicated service centres located in Henderson, Western Australia; Cairns, Queensland; and Darwin, Northern Territory. Learn more about the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats at https://lnkd.in/gwrS-56U #austal #austalaustralia #evolvedcapeclass #patrolboats #ausnavy #ADVCapeSolander #defence #defenceindustry #sovereigncapability

A fantastic first day for the Austal team at the Indian Ocean Defence & Security (IODS) Conference in Perth, Western Australia, "where AUKUS meets the QUAD". CEO Paddy Gregg and the #team welcomed many guests to the stand; including Acting Prime Minister of Australia and Defence Minister, the Hon. Richard Marles MP, Defence Industry Minister the Hon. Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Veterans Affairs and Defence Personnel, the Hon. Matt Keogh MP, Premier of Western Australia, the Hon. Roger Cook MLA and WA Defence Industry Minister the Hon. Paul Papalia CSC MLA. We were also honoured to host visits by naval and government delegations from around the world, including Chief of Naval Operations, US Navy, Admiral Lisa Franchetti; Chief of Staff, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Admiral Akira Saito; and Senior Advisor to the Japanese Minister for Defense, Takami Yasuhiro. #austal #austalaustralia #IODS2024 #whereAUKUSmeetstheQUAD #defence #defenceindustry

Austal Limited and Civmec Limited have today announced the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to form a Joint Venture (JV) to submit a proposal to the Commonwealth of Australia to support the LAND8710 Phase 2, Landing Craft Heavy (LC-H) project. LAND8710 Phase 2 (LC-H) will deliver enhanced transport and littoral manoeuvre capability to the Australian Army to enable greater capacity and reach over the Indo-pacific region. Under the MOU, Austal and Civmec will develop the structure, delivery process and detailed scope of the JV in preparation to submit tenders to the Commonwealth for LAND8710 Phase 2 (LC-H). It is intended for the JV to contract directly to the Commonwealth to undertake shipbuilding tasks for the LC-H project within the assembly hall at Civmec’s Henderson facility. Civmec’s Executive Chairman, Mr Jim Fitzgerald, said “The proposed Joint Venture between Austal and Civmec will be an important step to ensure the continuation of naval shipbuilding at Henderson, with tenders, detailed scopes and commercial arrangement now able to be finalised at pace.” “By combining Civmec’s Henderson shipbuilding facilities, which include the largest heavy engineering facility of its kind in Australia, our systems, steel manufacturing expertise and 4,000 strong labour force, together with Austal’s naval shipbuilding experience and long track record of delivery, the JV would be very well placed to deliver efficient Continuous Naval Shipbuilding in Western Australia to Defence.” “There are many details to work through, including expansion of Civmec’s footprint in Henderson to ensure there is no impact to Civmec’s ongoing work for the resources, energy and infrastructure sectors”. Austal’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Paddy Gregg, said “We are excited by what a partnership could mean for continuous sovereign shipbuilding, particularly in Western Australia. A partnership and commercial arrangement with Civmec should complement our Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement with the Commonwealth.” “It would provide the Commonwealth with immediate access to a larger pool of skilled shipbuilding workers that can transition across multiple projects via a ‘consolidated Henderson’ model. It will allow the Commonwealth to continue to leverage Austal’s naval shipbuilding experience and track record of delivery for the Commonwealth, including the upcoming Landing Craft-Heavy program.” #austal #civmec #ausarmy #landingcraft #landingcraftheavy #defence #defenceindustry #sovereigncapability

Austal was proud to host Minister for Defence Industry, The Hon Pat Conroy MP at the Henderson, Western Australia shipyard today, where he announced that the build of 18 landing craft (medium) for the Australian Army is being accelerated. Minister Conroy was joined for the announcement by Western Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry The Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA; Federal Member for Fremantle, Josh Wilson MP; State Member for Cockburn David Scaife MLA; Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, AO DSC; Head of Patrol Boats & Specialist Ships, RADM Wendy Malcolm AM CSC, Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Jim McDowell, Austal Limited CEO Paddy Gregg and Birdon Executive General Manager Mark Albertson. The first of the medium landing craft vessels, designed by Birdon Group and to be built by Austal at the Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia, are scheduled for delivery in 2026. The Minister also confirmed that an additional eight landing craft (heavy) will be built by Austal at Henderson. “Building Australia’s new fleet of landing craft is part of the Government’s commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia and a future made in Australia. This pipeline of work will result in opportunities for the Australian defence industry and while supporting a highly skilled shipbuilding workforce for years to come.” The Landing Craft (Medium) has a range of up to 2000 nautical miles when operating with the Landing Craft Heavy, and is capable of transporting up to 90 tonnes, equivalent to four High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), or one main battle tank, or one infantry fighting vehicle and two Bushmasters. #austal #austalaustralia #birdon #ausarmy #landingcraftmedium #landingcraftheavy #defenceindustry #sovereigncapability #henderson #westernaustralia

In the lead up to the Indian Ocean Defence & Security (IODS) Conference (IODS) in Perth, Western Australia the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial #team is pleased to release a new video that highlights the success of the four-day endurance trial, completed in April 2024. Austal Australia, Greenroom Robotics and Trusted Autonomous Systems, together with the crew from International Maritime Services completed a series of tests on remote and autonomous operations, over an extended period of time on ‘Sentinel’, a decommissioned Armidale-class Patrol Boat, off the coast of Western Australia. Designed to test the reliability of, and build trust in the vessel’s autonomous systems, the endurance trial included a number of collision avoidance events that demonstrated the capabilities of the platform and navigation programs that may help deliver optionally crewed vessels for the Royal Australian Navy in the future. To learn more, or meet some of the PBAT team, visit the Austal stand (A-10) at IODS 2024 from 24 – 26 July 2024. Register here > https://lnkd.in/gKpsVD3F View the PBAT Endurance Trial Video on Austal's YouTube channel; https://lnkd.in/gxN-xMwW #austal #austalaustralia #greenroomrobotics #trustedautonomoussystems #ausnavy #patrolboat #autonomy #patrolboatautonomytrial

Austal Australia has delivered the 20th Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to the Australian Department of Defence. The vessel, Tobwaan Mainiku, for the Republic of Kiribati, was accepted by representatives of the Department of Defence at the Austal shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia on 12th July 2024. Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the delivery of the 20th Guardian-class patrol boat highlighted the industry-leading productivity of the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project, now comprising 24 vessels. “The Austal Australia team, together with our valued supply chain and defence industry partners, including Defence Australia and the Royal Australian Navy, have now delivered 20 Guardian-class patrol boats to the Australian Government since December 2018,” Mr Gregg said. “Effectively, we’ve delivered one new Guardian-class Patrol Boat every four months (on average) over the past 5 years, highlighting Western Australia’s industry-leading naval shipbuilding capability and productivity. It’s even more impressive when you consider the Austal Australia team has also delivered two Cape-class Patrol Boats, six Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats and three large high-speed ferries to commercial operators around the world, during the same period. “We again extend our thanks to our supply chain and defence industry partners for their continued support and collaboration in delivering the Guardian-class Patrol Boats for the Australian Government and our Pacific Island neighbours.” Read the full company announcement at https://lnkd.in/geSAhd5X #austal #austalaustralia #guardian-class #patrolboats

Congratulations to the Austal USA #team on the start of construction of a brand new final assembly facility, in Mobile, Alabama! Read more about todays' ceremony, and the facility expansion below; and check out a new timeline video highlighting the development of their world-class shipbuilding facilities, delivering multiple programs for the US Navy and U.S. Coast Guard at https://lnkd.in/gHyiQ5Bk #austal #austalUSA #navalshipbuilding