Mobile’s Austal USA got the go-ahead for construction of two more littoral combat ships, the third and fourth under its 10-ship contract with the U.S. Navy. Austal delivered the first of the LCS vessels in January. A second is due for delivery early next year. The new two-ship contract totals $691.6 million.
The contract modification funds construction of the Gabrielle Giffords and the Omaha. These bring Austal USA’s total U.S. Navy contracts to 14 ships.
“While these options were expected, it is still pleasing to see the contracts executed, particularly in a period when U.S. government budget is under pressure, ” says Austal USA President and COO Joe Rella.
By Nedra Bloom
