Category: Shipbuilding News

The Americans for a Stronger Navy Fleet Forward initiative aims to support a stronger and more capable Navy. The Shipbuilding NewsWatch will provide subscribers with up-to-date news, analysis, and commentary on the latest developments in the shipbuilding industry, including new contracts, technological advances, and trends. This information will help subscribers stay informed and engaged in efforts to build a modern and effective Navy.

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USNS Cody, EPF Vessel Christened

Austal USA has christened the USNS Cody, its 14th Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel and the first EPF Flight II. The ceremony was attended by Navy leaders, elected officials, and ship sponsor Averil D. Spencer. The EPF Flight II provides an expanded medical capability, including a basic secondary health care facility, an intensive care unit, and limited x-ray, laboratory, and dental support. The catamaran design of the EPF provides stability for onboard medical procedures, and enhanced capabilities support V-22 flight operations and the launch and recovery of 11-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats. Austal USA has two more EPF Flight II ships under construction and a third under contract.

The vision of Austal USA, located in Mobile, Alabama, was realized in 1999 for the purpose of reaching the ever increasing commercial and defense aluminum vessel market in the United States. Our shipbuilding facility occupies 164 acres on the eastern shore of the Mobile River and is strategically positioned at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico.

Austal USA

100 Austal Way
Mobile, Alabama 36602
(251) 434-8000

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USS Nitze (DDG 94 Gets 145 Millon BAE Systems Upgrade

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Steve Smith • Public domain

The U.S. Navy has awarded BAE Systems a $145 million contract for the maintenance and modernization of the USS Nitze (DDG 94), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer. BAE Systems’ Norfolk shipyard will perform the work, including upgrading the ship’s combat and command systems, refurbishing crew living spaces, and preserving the hull. The contract could reach $161 million if all options are exercised. BAE Systems is a leading provider of ship repair and overhaul services, operating three full-service shipyards in California, Florida, and Virginia. The USS Nitze was commissioned in 2005 and is named after former Secretary of the Navy Paul Nitze.

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US Navy learns costly lessons

The U.S. Navy appears to have learned its lesson after rushing new technology onto warships and speeding them into production, resulting in costly mistakes. In an article by David Sharp for ABC News, it was reported that the Navy is taking a more deliberate approach in the design and purchase of its next-generation destroyers to ensure new technologies, such as powerful lasers and hypersonic missiles, are mature before pressing ahead on construction.

Adm. Michael Gilday, chief of naval operations, acknowledged that the Navy has learned that when it moves too fast, big mistakes can be made. He stated, “Let’s be deliberate. Let’s not have our eyes become bigger than our stomach and get too far ahead of ourselves.”

The Navy is reducing risk by conducting more land tests and borrowing the radar and targeting system from the latest destroyers that’ll soon join the fleet. It’s also working with shipbuilders and designers to refine the ship’s blueprint, cost estimates, and workforce and supply forecasts.

While the Navy still plans to field new technologies on the destroyer, it’s balancing the best technology that’s reliable, affordable, and attainable. Matt Caris, a defense analyst with Avascent, said, “The Navy is trying to thread the needle with some potentially revolutionary capabilities in as low-risk and evolutionary process as possible. This was a lesson learned by the Navy’s laundry list of shameful acquisition programs.”

The Navy is trying to avoid repeating past shipbuilding mistakes, which have resulted in costly errors and early retirements of combat ships beset by problems. It’s juggling its priorities as it seeks not just a new destroyer but also a new attack submarine and a replacement for the F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet. The Navy is in a difficult spot because the Biden administration is not interested in dramatically increasing the military budget.

In conclusion, the Navy’s new approach to shipbuilding is a promising step towards avoiding past mistakes and ensuring new technologies are mature before construction. It shows a willingness to learn from costly errors and take a more deliberate approach to ensure the best possible outcome. Thank you David Sharp at ABC News for reporting on this important story.

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Autonomous Navy Ship Delivered

Americans for a Sronger Navy Reporting

The sun was shining over the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, as the Expeditionary Fast Transport USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13) was handed over to the U.S. Navy. This was a significant moment for Austal USA, as the ship was not only the second Navy vessel to be named after the coastal Florida city, but also the largest surface ship in the Navy fleet with autonomous capability.

The ship had undergone several months of testing, during which Austal USA and their partners, L3Harris and General Dynamics Mission Systems, analyzed not only its typical ship systems, but also those resulting from the autonomous design and construction contract modifications required by the Navy to establish EPF 13 as an autonomous prototype.

Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh was proud of his team of shipbuilders and the innovative capabilities they had delivered with this ship. The EPF 13 had the ability to conduct V-22 flight operations and launch and recover 11-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs), making it an ideal candidate for large vessel autonomous operations, including logistics, tendering, and adjunct magazine mission profiles.

The ship’s machinery control system (MCS) was fundamental to the autonomy effort, enabling the ship to be minimally manned by centralizing machinery operations to the bridge. Additionally, the ship was equipped with automated maintenance, health monitoring, and mission readiness systems, providing the capability to conduct up to 30 days of operation without human intervention.

EPF 13 was also the first Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel to be delivered to the Navy with enhanced capabilities to support V-22 flight operations and launch and recover 11-meter RHIBs. These upgrades, combined with the EPF’s speed, maneuverability, and shallow water access, were key enablers for supporting future Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations around the world.

Austal USA’s work on autonomous vessel capability has been identified as an area of strategic importance by the Navy. The company is partnering with L3Harris on the MCS upgrade of Overlord vessel, Mariner (OUSV 3), and construction of Vanguard (OUSV 4), as well as with Saildrone, Inc. on the manufacture of Surveyor unmanned surface vehicles. The investments from academia in uncrewed technology, combined with Austal USA’s efforts, are quickly making south Alabama the epicenter of autonomous naval architecture.

The delivery of EPF 13 was a proud moment for Austal USA, and it marked a significant step forward in the Navy’s autonomous capabilities. With this ship’s advanced features, the Navy’s ability to conduct missions and operations around the world will be greatly enhanced.