Post by ferryfast admin on Aug 6, 2012 17:26:04 GMT -5
Austal notes LCS test milestone
Published: Thursday, August 02, 2012, 11:26 AM Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012, 11:39 AM
Ellen Mitchell, Press-Register By Ellen Mitchell, Press-Register
blog.al.com/press-register-business/2012/08/austal_notes_lcs_test_mileston.html
MOBILE, Alabama -- Austal USA said Thursday that it completed the combat systems light off test for LCS 4, Coronado.
Austal said the milestone signifies that the second littoral combat ship's computer, weapon and sensor systems are operational and ready for the formal combat systems test and certification process cycle.
"I am encouraged to see how smoothly things are moving along on the path to sea trials for this vessel," Austal CFO and new Interim President Brian Leathers said in a statement. "Austal is proud to be a member of the General Dynamics LCS team and we look forward to celebrating the future successes of this shipbuilding program."
Austal and General Dynamics teamed to produce two LCS for the Navy.
Working as prime contractor Austal now has additional orders as part of an expected 10-ship, $3.5 billion contract for the 127-meter Independence-variant littoral combat ships.
Austal is also under contract with the Navy to build nine 103-meter Joint High Speed Vessels under a 10-ship, $1.6 billion contract. The two contracts will require Austal to increase its Mobile workforce from its current 3,000 to about 4,500 employees in the next few years, the company said.
Last month, Austal completed three buildings, more than half a million square feet of additional manufacturing and office space, in a $200 million project.
During the testing process, Austal hosted U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Mobile, aboard Coronado. Sessions checked out the operating system for the ship's 57 mm, demonstrating the ability to target another ship and track its progress.
Published: Thursday, August 02, 2012, 11:26 AM Updated: Thursday, August 02, 2012, 11:39 AM
Ellen Mitchell, Press-Register By Ellen Mitchell, Press-Register
blog.al.com/press-register-business/2012/08/austal_notes_lcs_test_mileston.html
MOBILE, Alabama -- Austal USA said Thursday that it completed the combat systems light off test for LCS 4, Coronado.
Austal said the milestone signifies that the second littoral combat ship's computer, weapon and sensor systems are operational and ready for the formal combat systems test and certification process cycle.
"I am encouraged to see how smoothly things are moving along on the path to sea trials for this vessel," Austal CFO and new Interim President Brian Leathers said in a statement. "Austal is proud to be a member of the General Dynamics LCS team and we look forward to celebrating the future successes of this shipbuilding program."
Austal and General Dynamics teamed to produce two LCS for the Navy.
Working as prime contractor Austal now has additional orders as part of an expected 10-ship, $3.5 billion contract for the 127-meter Independence-variant littoral combat ships.
Austal is also under contract with the Navy to build nine 103-meter Joint High Speed Vessels under a 10-ship, $1.6 billion contract. The two contracts will require Austal to increase its Mobile workforce from its current 3,000 to about 4,500 employees in the next few years, the company said.
Last month, Austal completed three buildings, more than half a million square feet of additional manufacturing and office space, in a $200 million project.
During the testing process, Austal hosted U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Mobile, aboard Coronado. Sessions checked out the operating system for the ship's 57 mm, demonstrating the ability to target another ship and track its progress.