Ship Systems Integrator News

Joint High Speed Vessel USNS Trenton (JHSV 5) successfully completed Acceptance Trials (AT) on March 13, 2015 in the Gulf of Mexico. Austal, the Trenton's shipbuilder, today announced the completion of the trials, which are the last significant milestone before delivery of the ship. This milestone achievement involved the performance of intense comprehensive tests by the Navy, which demonstrated the operation of the ship’s major systems and equipment. "We’re very pleased with how well Trenton performed…

General Dynamics Mission Systems makes its debut as General Dynamics' newest business unit at the Surface Navy Association's (SNA) 27th National Symposium. General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems and General Dynamics C4 Systems combined to form General Dynamics Mission Systems on January 1, 2015. "This restructuring has allowed us to create a real powerhouse. We are stronger together and offer a more robust portfolio of products, services and solutions that help customers successfully execute their missions in today's dynamic environment," said Chris Marzilli, president of General Dynamics Mission Systems. "Our exhibits at SNA highlight our collective capabilities from which the U.S. General Dynamics Mission Systems will deliver greater capability more efficiently.

On September 30, 2014, Austal USA successfully completed the launch process of Trenton (JHSV 5) - the second Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) launched by Austal in 2014. This 103-meter high-speed catamaran represents the U.S. Department of Defense’s next generation multiuse platform. It is part of a 10-ship program worth more than $1.6 billion. The launch of Trenton was conducted in a multi-step process that involved having Berard Transportation transfer the ship from Assembly Bay 3 onto a Crowley deck barge, which was then towed to BAE Systems Southeast Shipyard.

On August 6, 2014, Austal USA successfully completed the launch of the future USS Montgomery (LCS 8). The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. This vessel is the second of ten 127-meter Independence-variant LCS class ships Austal has been contracted to build for the U.S. Navy as prime contractor subsequent to a $3.5 billion block buy in 2010. Craig Perciavalle, Austal USA President, commented, “We are very proud to launch the ship named after the capital of Alabama, especially since the greatest shipbuilders made it happen right here in Mobile, Alabama”. Mr.

Austal inform that its USA’s order backlog has grown by approximately US$684-million dollars as a result of two additional Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) contract options being exercised by the United States Navy. The contract options fund construction of the LCS 18 and LCS 20, the seventh and eighth ships in the 10-ship block buy award made to an Austal-led team in December 2010 in a 10-ship program potentially worth over US$3.5-billion. Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bellamy said the company’s U.S. Navy programs provide revenue and workload for years to come.

Last month marked the launch of two new Littoral Combat Ships: Milwaukee (LCS 5) launched by Marinette Marine into the icy Menominee River; and Jackson (LCS 6) launched by Austal into the far warmer waters found off of southern Alabama. While the two LCS variants and shipyard climates are a world apart, this innovate U.S. Navy ship production program has the common goal of fortifying U.S. defense interests while spurring investment in the creation of two state-of-the-art ship production facilities. Mid-December in Marinette, Wis., can be described with one word: cold.

On January 16, 2014, Austal USA successfully completed the launch process of the USNS Fall River (JHSV 4). Recently christened, this 103-meter high-speed catamaran represents the U.S. Department of Defense’s next generation multiuse platform. It is part of a 10-ship program, the funds for all of which have been appropriated, worth over $1.6 billion. The launch of USNS Fall River was conducted in a multistep process that involved having Berard Transportation transfer the ship from Assembly Bay 3 onto a deck barge, which was then towed to BAE Systems Southeast Shipyard.

Shipbuilders, Austal USA say that this milestone achievement involved the performance of intense comprehensive tests by the Navy while underway, which demonstrated the successful operation of the ship’s major systems and equipment. This is the last significant milestone before delivery of the ship, which is expected in late January 2014. As the U.S. Department of Defense’s multi-use platform, the 103-meter JHSV will provide rapid intra-theater deployment/transportation of personnel, equipment and supplies.

First of Austal’s ten-ship Littoral Combat Ship contract. On December 14, 2013, Austal USA successfully completed the launch of the future USS Jackson (LCS 6). The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. This vessel is the first of ten 127-meter Independence-variant LCS class ships Austal has been contracted to build for the U.S. Navy as prime contractor subsequent to a $3.5 billion block buy in 2010.

This milestone achievement, say builders Austal, after trials in the Gulf of Mexico, involved the execution of intense comprehensive tests by the Navy while underway, which demonstrated the successful operation of the ship’s major systems and equipment. Upon returning from trials, Craig Perciavalle, President of Austal USA, remarked, “The successful completion of acceptance trials for this vessel validates the quality and reliability of Austal’s shipbuilding know-how. The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a fast…

On June 25, 2013, Austal held a keel-laying ceremony for the fourth Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) – Montgomery (LCS 8). This is the second LCS of ten awarded by the Navy to Austal, as prime contractor, and the sixth keel laying ceremony celebrated by Austal, as prime, in less than three years. During that time Austal has grown tremendously, increasing by over 2,000 total employees, and doubling the size of the facility. Mary Blackshear Sessions, the ship’s sponsor, was present to weld her initials onto the keel plate as the Keel Authenticator.

Austal held a keel-laying ceremony for the fourth Joint High Speed Vessel Fall River (JHSV 4), one of ten Austal-designed 103-meter U.S. Navy Joint High Speed Vessels under contract with the U.S. Navy. The ship’s sponsor, Diane Bemus Patrick, was present at the ceremony to authenticate the keel. Mrs. Patrick, First Lady of Massachusetts where the city of Fall River is located, was chosen to sponsor the ship by Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Mrs. Patrick was assisted by Doc Selvie who is an “A” Class welder that has been part of the Austal team since May of 2007.

Joint High Speed Vessel 'USNS Choctaw County' (JHSV 2) has successfully completed Acceptance Trials in the Gulf of Mexico. This milestone achievement involved the performance of intense comprehensive tests by the Navy while underway, which demonstrated the successful operation of the ship’s major systems and equipment. It was the last significant milestone before delivery of the ship, which is expected in June. This vessel is the second of ten JHSVs that Austal has been contracted by the Navy to build in its Mobile, Ala. shipyard.

Navy to occupy new office space by the end of October. This morning over 30 distinguished guests joined Austal and the Navy in celebrating the official opening of the new Navy Administration Building with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The guests were welcomed by Austal USA’s Senior Vice President of Operations, Craig Perciavalle. Other event participants included: Brian Leathers - Austal USA Interim President and CFO, Capt. Stephen W. Mitchell (USN) – Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast…

Austal held a keel-laying ceremony for the third Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) – Jackson (LCS 6), one of five Austal-designed 127-m U.S. Navy Independence-variant LCS under contract with the U.S. Navy. Dr. Katherine Holmes Cochran, the ship’s sponsor, was present to weld her initials onto the keel plate as the Keel Authenticator. She was assisted by J.B. Craig, III, who is an “A” Class welder that has been part of the Austal team since November of 2011. Dr. Cochran is the daughter of U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and his wife Rose Clayton Cochran.

1 of 7 Navy Ships under construction at Austal USA. On October 1, 2012, Austal USA successfully completed the launch process of the second Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), the recently christened USNS Choctaw County (JHSV 2). This 103-meter high-speed catamaran represents the U.S. Department of Defense’s next generation multi-use platform. It is part of a 10-ship program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion. Brian Leathers, Austal USA Interim President and Chief Financial Officer commented, “This is the ship’s first voyage, one of many in its future.

First-in-class Joint High Speed Vessel USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1), the high-speed catamaran transport ship under construction at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, successfully completed Acceptance Trials (AT) on August 17, 2012, in the Gulf of Mexico. To achieve this milestone, the Navy conducted comprehensive tests which demonstrated the successful performance of the ship’s major systems and equipment to include the propulsion plant, ship handling and auxiliary systems. Craig Perciavalle…

U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions assists - (R) AL. On July 6, U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions joined Austal, General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems and General Dynamics Bath Iron Works personnel in completing the Combat Systems Light Off milestone in the second Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship, Coronado (LCS 4). Senator Sessions operated the 57mm gun from the bridge of LCS 4 and he was able to demonstrate the gun’s ability to target another ship and track its progress. This milestone signifies that Coronado’s advanced computer…

Coronado, the second Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), was christened on January 14, 2012 during a ceremony at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama. The Independence-variant LCS, with its trimaran hull–design, offers maneuverability, stability, endurance, shallow draft, three weapon zones, and a flight deck larger than any other U.S. Navy surface combatant, Susan Ring Keith is the ship’s sponsor. Upon her birth in Coronado, Susan joined a long family history associated with the Navy and Coronado.

Coronado, the second Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), was christened on January 14, 2012 during a ceremony at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama. The Independence-variant LCS, with its trimaran hull–design, offers maneuverability, stability, endurance, shallow draft, three weapon zones, and a flight deck larger than any other U.S. Navy surface combatant. Susan Ring Keith is the ship’s sponsor. Upon her birth in Coronado, Susan joined a long family history associated with the Navy and Coronado.

Austal USA, in conjunction with prime contractor, BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards Alabama, has completed a four-month drydock and shipyard availability for the Sea Fighter (FSF-1), based out of Panama City, Florida. The Sea Fighter is an aluminum catamaran, operated by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) that has been used to test technologies for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) programs. Under a very aggressive schedule, Austal workers installed a new Counter Measure Washdown (CMWD) System to help keep future Naval combatants operational in a nuclear, biological or chemical battle-space. Other Austal work items included the modification of ballast tanks and the installation of water jet skirts on both hulls.

On May 3, 2012, Austal held a keel-laying ceremony for the third Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), one of nine Austal-designed 103-meter U.S. Navy Joint High Speed Vessels under contract with the U.S. Navy. Austal invited Representative Jo Bonner to authenticate the keel. He was assisted by Jeff Cellon who is an “A” Class welder that has been part of the Austal team since May of 2010. A traditional keel-laying ceremony marks the first significant milestone in the construction of the ship.

Discuss Future of Supporting the Program before Congress. Austal brought together representatives of over 50 suppliers from 25 states to build support for the future of the U.S. Navy’s LCS program. The representatives of the Independence-variant LCS industrial base gathered on May 16 and 17 for a conference and congressional outreach. Austal USA’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Joe Rella, was joined by Rear Admiral James A. Murdoch, Program Executive Officer, Littoral Combat Ships, and Congressman Jo Bonner (R-AL) in welcoming the attendees and briefing them on the U.S.