Austal USA delivered the future USS Canberra to the United States Navy on December 21, the second Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Austal delivered to the Navy in 2021.
Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg welcomed the latest LCS delivery, named after Australia’s national capital and sponsored by Australia’s Foreign Minister, Senator Marise Payne.
“We were honoured to have Senator Marise Payne lay the keel for the future USS Canberra in March 2020, and now we’re very pleased to be delivering the completed vessel to the Navy, on time and on budget,” Gregg said.
“Canberra is the 15th Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship that Austal USA has delivered to the US Navy, since 2010; an outstanding track record for a multi-billion-dollar program, comprising 19 ships in total.
“Add on the twelve Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessels that Austal USA has also delivered, during roughly the same timeframe, and you get a clear picture that our Mobile, Alabama shipyard is an incredibly efficient, value-adding asset within the United States’ defence industrial base.”
Four more LCS are also currently under construction at Austal USA, including the recently launched future USS Santa Barbara and future USS Augusta. Modules are under construction on the future USS Kingsville and the future USS Pierre.
Two Expeditionary Fast Transport vessels are also under construction at the shipyard.
Earlier in 2021, Austal USA was awarded a contract for the detailed design and construction of two US Navy Towing, Salvage, and Rescue (T-ATS) ships – the first contract for Austal’s new steel construction facility – as well as several sustainment contracts for the LCS program.