Austal USA provides shipyard capabilities expansion update to visiting Marine Corps leaders
MOBILE, Ala. – United States Marine Corps (USMC) General Officers led by Lieutenant General Karsten Heckl, Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration visited Austal USA’s Mobile, Ala. shipyard today. The visit provided Austal USA leaders the opportunity to brief the delegation on the company’s growing diversity of design and shipbuilding contracts, including the U.S. Navy’s Light Amphibious Warship, Next Generation Logistics Ship, Landing Craft Utility and the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) of which Austal USA has delivered 12 into the Navy’s global auxiliary fleet.
While touring the facility, the Marines observed, first-hand, Austal USA’s growing capability and capacity to manufacture multiple complex ships and components. Austal USA’s leadership team escorted the delegation through the company’s module manufacturing facility which houses separate steel and aluminum assembly lines, a feature unique to Austal USA. The group continued on to the final assembly bays, toured on-board USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13), the Navy’s largest autonomous-capable surface vessel, and ended at the vessel completion yard where the future USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) and USS Augusta (LCS 34) are moored. The tour encompassed 165 acres and over a million square feet of indoor production space.
“We have made a significant investment in our manufacturing facility to adapt to the requirements of our defense leaders. When pairing those facility expansions with the talent of our shipbuilders and our disciplined manufacturing processes, we have the capacity to do more,” stated Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh. “We’re fortunate for the opportunity to demonstrate how our capability and growth will continue to support the Marine Corps as a lethal, mobile and resilient force.”
Coinciding with Austal USA’s facility investments totaling more than $560 million, are expansions to its product lines. Growing from being the prime contractor of the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship and EPF programs, Austal USA is now under contract for six additional shipbuilding programs across the Navy and Coast Guard.
Austal USA has delivered 28 battle force ships to the Navy since 2009. The company’s investments have also included the establishment of ship service facilities in Mobile, Ala., San Diego, Calif., and Singapore.
