Austal Ships' is furthering its strategic advantage in the growing market for high-speed military vessels, via its U.S. joint venture shipyard being short-listed to build an experimental vessel for a program sponsored by the United States' Office of Naval Research. Dubbed the "X-Craft," the 262-ft. (80-m) catamaran will feature twin LM2500 gas turbines and be capable of speeds of approximately 50 knots. Prime contractor for the project is San Diego-based Titan Systems Corporation, which has selected Austal USA as one of five shipyards to participate in the final tender round. The tender closes early in 2003, with delivery of the independently-designed aluminum catamaran scheduled for mid-2004.
