South Alabama shipbuilding juggernaut Austal USA has delivered its 12th Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) to the U.S. Navy.
The future USS Oakland (LCS 24), now the second ship delivered by Austal to the Navy in 2020, was delivered on Friday, June 26.
“We’re so excited to deliver Oakland to the fleet,” Austal USA president Craig Perciavalle said in a Monday statement.
“Every milestone we accomplish during these unprecedented times is a true testament to the extraordinary skill and dedication of our LCS team – an indication of the success of our efforts to minimize the impact of the pandemic,” he continued. “The efficiency at which we’re delivering these ships is nothing short of world class.”
This came after LCS 24 recently completed her acceptance trials.
Upgrades on the important LCS program continue to take shape both with inline production and post-delivery.
For example, the Austal USA and General Dynamics Mission Systems team recently integrated a new over-the-horizon missile system capability onto the USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) prior to her deployment as she meets Navy operational requirements and more LCS prepare for deployment.
“In the Pacific, USS Gabrielle Giffords is strengthening maritime security and regional stability with every port visit, exercise, and operation in which she participates,” Perciavalle advised. “The LCS program has become instrumental to the U.S. Navy fleet as ships deploy from San Diego. We’re looking forward to seeing the USS Oakland and her sister ships follow in the path of the Giffords and Montgomery.”
The program is integral to Coastal Alabama’s economy but also has a wide reaching impact. More than 700 suppliers in 40 states contribute to Austal’s Independence-variant LCS program.
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Five littoral combat ships are currently under various stages of construction at Austal’s Mobile shipyard. The future USS Mobile (LCS 26) is furthest along, presently preparing for sea trials. Meanwhile, assembly is underway on the future USS Savannah (LCS 28) and USS Canberra (LCS 30), and modules for the future USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) and USS Augusta (LCS 34) are under construction in the company’s module manufacturing facility. The future USS Kingsville (LCS 36) and USS Pierre (LCS 38) are also under contract.
Austal is also under contract to build 14 Expeditionary Fast Transport vessels (EPF) for the U.S. Navy. The company has delivered 11 already while an additional two are in various stages of construction.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
