USN Awards Austal Contract for LCS 26

Posted by Greg Trauthwein April 1, 2016

Former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords waves to a crowd in front of the littoral combat ship, USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10). (Photo courtesy Austal USA/Released)

The U.S. Navy has modified Austal USA’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) block-buy contract to include an eleventh ship, LCS 26, the Navy announced today. LCS 26 will be the 13th Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship built by Austal.

“The Austal LCS team has demonstrated exceptional work in providing an affordable sea frame that is not only capable of meeting the Navy’s needs of today but extremely capable of meeting future requirements,” Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle said.

Austal’s LCS program continues to mature as the company prepares for delivery of the future USS Montgomery (LCS 8) later this year. The USS Independence (LCS 2) and the USS Coronado (LCS 4) have already logged more than 86,000 and 23,000 nautical miles, respectively. Ten total ships, seven LCS and three Expeditionary Fast

Transport (EPF) vessels, are under construction at Austal USA’s headquarters and ship manufacturing facility in Mobile, Ala.

“We’re excited and honored to have the opportunity to continue building these incredible ships to serve our Sailors,” Perciavalle said. “The success of our programs is a direct result of the dedication of Austal’s talented employees, the great teamwork with our suppliers and the full support of our local, state, and federal legislators.”