Austal wins second LCS

The option for a second Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) has now been confirmed following the announcement in October 2005 for the first General Dynamics / Austal LCS. Based on the 127 metre advanced Austal trimaran seaframe, which forms the platform for the ship?s operational and combat systems, the new vessel will be built alongside “Independence” that is currently in an advanced stage of construction in Austal?s Mobile, Alabama, USA shipyard.

Recent Navy reports have speculated on an expanded acquisition strategy, from 4 to a possible 17, for the Flight 0 fleet of LCSs that also includes an alternate monohull ship design. The Navy has not yet announced whether it will choose one or both designs for full production of some 55 ships over the next decade, or who would build them.

In addition, the prospect of foreign military sales of the LCS is also gaining increased interest as the first of fleet vessels increasingly near completion. A reported 26 potential buyers exist worldwide for the ship and its companion equipment with two near-term contenders and four others that have expressed active interest.

Austal?s revolutionary trimaran LCS design offers superior sea-keeping via its long, slender central hull that, combined with smaller side hulls, offers an exceptionally wide beam creating a voluminous internal mission deck with a high payload carrying capacity. Above this is a large flight deck capable of handling dual H-60 helicopter operations, a feature not available on similar size naval vessels.