Austal USA press release
This contract requires Austal to develop a new baseline design and perform specific trade studies for the Navy’s newest logistics ship. Austal, as the shipbuilder and design agent, will be the prime contractor.
Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh said:
“Austal is excited to begin work on another U.S. Navy steel shipbuilding program.
This contract, combined with our recent T-ATS ship construction contract award and the concept studies we are performing on the LAW program, demonstrate our commitment to bring the same industry leading quality to steel ships as we have been delivering for aluminum ships.”
The NGLS program represents a new class of medium-sized at-sea supply ships intended to support small surface combatants such as Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and frigates as well as the Navy’s planned Light Amphibious Warships (LAW). The mission of the NGLS fleet will include refueling, rearming, and resupply of naval assets.
Austal USA’s reputation of completing major military vessel contracts on schedule and on budget gives the company a strong foundation to provide a highly capable and cost effective NGLS design to the Navy.
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Naval News comments:
The NGLS is expected to be much smaller than in-service logistics ship such as the new John Lewis-class displacing nearly 50,000 tons. It will likely be close in size and displacement to the new Project 03182-class tankers of the Russian Navy. Intended for the Russian Black Sea Fleet and designed by Zelenodolsk Design Bureau (built by the Volga Shipyard in Nizhny Novgorod), the tanker has a full load displacement of 3,500 tons, a length of 78.8 meters, a width of 15.4 meters, and a draft of 5 meters. They transport liquid and dry cargo as well as passengers. They can transfer fuel and oil to ships at sea and load and transfer cargoes in barrels, boxes, and containers.
