By Troy Turner
MOBILE – Austal USA continues to have a productive summer as it works to fulfill multi-ship contracts with the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, and in early July the shipbuilder made news by breaking ground for a new final-assembly facility.
The facility, scheduled to be complete and fully operational by summer of 2026, will provide a new assembly bay that will enable the erection of large steel modules for Navy and Coast Guard ships.
It will consist of three bays, enabling erection of the Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter and Navy’s TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance steel ships, as well as provide flexibility to manufacture modules for submarine and other surface ship programs.
The addition will occupy 4.5 acres and will be approximately 400 feet long by 480 feet wide, providing more than 192,000 square feet of new covered manufacturing space.
In addition to the manufacturing capacity of the new buildings, the expansion includes a shiplift designed to provide a safe and reliable system to launch ships as they are completed in the assembly buildings. The shiplift also will enable bringing ships back on the land-side facility for repair and maintenance.
State officials praised Austal USA for its economic impact on Alabama and for its service to U.S. defense.
“As evidenced by this major expansion, Austal USA continues to be both an economic engine to Alabama and a driving force behind U.S. Naval modernization,” said Gov. Kay Ivey in a press statement. “It is fitting that during its 25th anniversary year in Alabama, Austal breaks ground on its third final assembly facility that will usher in more jobs for Mobile and the Gulf Coast. We are proud to be home to one of our U.S. Navy’s most relied-upon shipbuilders.”
Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair was the principal speaker at the groundbreaking ceremony. She highlighted the long-standing partnership of Austal USA with the state, and the important role that partnership has played in Austal USA’s 25-year history.
When the current expansion project is complete, Austal USA’ s Alabama facility will include a 117,000-square-foot steel panel line, two module manufacturing facilities totaling more than 1 million square feet of covered manufacturing space optimized for serial production, and seven assembly bays providing more than 400,000 square feet of indoor erection space.
In all, the Mobile facility covers 180 acres and soon, more than 1.5 million square feet of indoor manufacturing space.
USNS Point Loma christened
Meanwhile, Austal USA is keeping busy with its primary mission: building ships.
The company on Aug. 10 christened the future USNS Point Loma (EPF 15). Point Loma is one of 16 expeditionary fast transports (EPF) the U.S. Navy has contracted Austal USA to build.
EPF Flight II versions provide medical capability, which includes, among other capabilities, basic secondary health care built around primary surgery; intensive care unit; ward beds; and limited x-ray, laboratory and dental support.
The EPF’s catamaran design provides inherent stability to allow surgeons to perform underway medical procedures in the ship’s operating suite. Enhanced capabilities to support V-22 Osprey flight operations, and launch and recover Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats, complement the ship’s medical facilities.
The future USNS Point Loma is named after the San Diego seaside community with a long-standing naval presence. Point Loma, bordered by the Pacific Ocean, San Diego Bay and the San Diego River, is home to Naval Base Point Loma.
Comprised of six installations, the base provides support to 70 U.S. Pacific Fleet afloat and ashore-based tenant commands.
USS Pierre launched
Austal USA on Aug. 5 announced it had successfully launched future USS Pierre (LCS 38), the last ship of the Navy’s Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program.
Austal USA’s test and activation team will spend the next several months preparing her for sea trials later this year.
The Pierre, christened in May, is the Navy’s 19th Independence-variant LCS. It will be deployed to the Pacific fleet area of responsibility supporting forward presence, maritime security, sea control and deterrence.
Troy Turner is the editor and senior consultant for AlaDefense.com. He can be contacted at [email protected].
Austal USA officials contributed background information used for this story.
The USS Pierre littoral combat ship and the city of Mobile, Alabama. (Photos: Austal USA)
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