Post by ferryfast admin on May 10, 2012 12:55:11 GMT -5
US probe includes Austal warship
The West Australian May 10, 2012, 1:03 pm
au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/business/a/-/wa/13653768/us-probe-includes-austal-warship/
UPDATE 1.30pm: A committee of the US Congress has backed a call for its auditing office to probe how the US Navy has dealt with problems associated with its Littoral Combat Ship program.
Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal, along with its US partner General Dynamics Corp, built one model, the USS Independence, and rival Lockheed Martin Corp, has delivered the USS Freedom.
Cracks were found in the USS Freedom and corrosion in the USS Independence, built at Austal US's shipyard in Mobile, Alabama.
The House of Representatives armed services committee has endorsed a call by Congresswoman Jackie Speier for the Government Accountability Office to review the $US37 billion ($A36.6 billion) program.
"It's disturbing the navy would accept a ship that fails to meet the basic requirements for a tugboat," Congresswoman Speier said in reference to USS Freedom. "The future of the fleet is corroding before our eyes."
Austal chief executive Andrew Bellamy last year played down the rust problem with the LCS, attributing it maintenance and operational issues, rather than the design or integrity of the ships.
Mr Bellamy today said he did not think the review was a threat to the program.
The US Congress has previously indicated it supports the LCS program and is set to vote to approve $US2.24 billion ($A2.22 billion) in funds for the next four vessels.
The LCS is intended to operate close to shore, able clear mines, hunt for submarines and defend itself against attacks by swarms of small vessels.
If all 55 ships in the class are built, they would represent 17 per cent of the US Navy's surface fleet.
Austal shares were off half a cent to $1.81 at 1.30pm.
The West Australian May 10, 2012, 1:03 pm
au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/business/a/-/wa/13653768/us-probe-includes-austal-warship/
UPDATE 1.30pm: A committee of the US Congress has backed a call for its auditing office to probe how the US Navy has dealt with problems associated with its Littoral Combat Ship program.
Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal, along with its US partner General Dynamics Corp, built one model, the USS Independence, and rival Lockheed Martin Corp, has delivered the USS Freedom.
Cracks were found in the USS Freedom and corrosion in the USS Independence, built at Austal US's shipyard in Mobile, Alabama.
The House of Representatives armed services committee has endorsed a call by Congresswoman Jackie Speier for the Government Accountability Office to review the $US37 billion ($A36.6 billion) program.
"It's disturbing the navy would accept a ship that fails to meet the basic requirements for a tugboat," Congresswoman Speier said in reference to USS Freedom. "The future of the fleet is corroding before our eyes."
Austal chief executive Andrew Bellamy last year played down the rust problem with the LCS, attributing it maintenance and operational issues, rather than the design or integrity of the ships.
Mr Bellamy today said he did not think the review was a threat to the program.
The US Congress has previously indicated it supports the LCS program and is set to vote to approve $US2.24 billion ($A2.22 billion) in funds for the next four vessels.
The LCS is intended to operate close to shore, able clear mines, hunt for submarines and defend itself against attacks by swarms of small vessels.
If all 55 ships in the class are built, they would represent 17 per cent of the US Navy's surface fleet.
Austal shares were off half a cent to $1.81 at 1.30pm.