Eight ships funded in Austal's FY 10 LCS contract.

Austal USA’s order backlog has grown by approximately $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. That 10-ship program is potentially worth over $3.5 billion.

Austal Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bellamy said the company’s U.S. Navy programs provide revenue and workload for years to come.

“Austal’s serial production of these revolutionary ships continues to expand and improve, simultaneously delivering better program outcomes for the Navy and improved financial results for the company’s shareholders,” he said.

Austal USA President, Craig Perciavalle, had this to say regarding the new contract award, “This award is further evidence of the Navy’s commitment to the LCS program and their confidence in Austal as a major defense contractor.” Perciavalle continued, “This award wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication of our employees and the support from our local, state, and federal leaders.”

Austal’s Independence-variant LCS program is maturing rapidly with five ships under various stages of construction, including Jackson (LCS 6) which was launched in December 2013 and is preparing for sea trials and delivery by the end of this year and Montgomery (LCS 8) which is scheduled to be launched by the summer.

Austal has also been contracted by the U.S. Navy to build ten 103-meter Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) under a 10-ship, $1.6 billion contract, two of which have already been delivered. JHSV 3 is scheduled to be delivered in March and three additional JHSVs are under construction at the shipyard as well.

For the LCS and JHSV programs, Austal, as prime contractor, is teamed with General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. As the ship systems integrator for the LCS program, General Dynamics is responsible for the design, integration and testing of the ship’s electronic systems including the combat system, networks, and seaframe control. General Dynamics’ proven open architecture approach allows for affordable and efficient capability growth as technologies develop.

Austal USA is a full-service shipyard offering design, construction and high-speed vessel service and repair. As Austal USA continues to expand its service and repair capabilities, the company is well-positioned for new business with engineering, test and trials capabilities, and a new waterfront facility on the Mobile River waterfront.

About Austal

Austal is a global defense prime contractor. The Company designs, constructs and maintains revolutionary platforms such as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) for the U.S. Navy, as well as an extensive range of patrol and auxiliary vessels for defense forces and government agencies globally. Austal also designs, installs, integrates and maintains sophisticated communications, radar and command and control systems.

Austal benefits from its position as a world leader in the design, construction and support of customized, high-performance aluminum vessels for the commercial high-speed ferry market, an achievement gained over a period of nearly 25 years.

Austal’s primary facilities comprise a dedicated defense shipyard in Mobile, Alabama; a dedicated defense shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia; and a dedicated commercial shipyard in Balamban, Philippines. The Company also provides vessel support services from its facilities in the United States, Australia, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Systems development, sales and support are coordinated from Austal’s facility in Canberra, Australia.

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For further information contact:
Terry O’Brien, Vice President of Business Development and External Affairs, Austal USA
Michelle Bowden, Communications Coordinator
Tel: 1-251-434-8000
Fax: 1-251-445-1912
Email: michelle.bowden@austalusa.com
Website: www.austal.com