The first of six Evolved Cape-class patrol boats was recently launched at the Austal Ships shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia.
The first Evolved Cape-class patrol boat in the water after being launched (Photo: Austal)
Head Maritime Systems Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm said the vessels would replace the Navy’s Armidale-class patrol boats and would be used as interim patrol platforms until the commissioning of the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels.
«The Evolved Cape-class patrol boats will ensure the Royal Australian Navy is well-equipped to keep Australia’s borders safe», Rear Admiral Malcolm said. «With all six Evolved Cape-class patrol boats to be built in WA, we are continuing to strengthen Australia’s naval capability while supporting local jobs».
Austal has commenced construction on the remaining five boats, the first of which is expected to be accepted by the Navy early next year.
The 58-metre-long/190-foot-long boats are being built with a number of enhancements, improving operational capability and crew capacity compared to the vessels already operated by the Navy and Australian Border Force.
Austal Limited (Austal) has been awarded a new A$369 (US$261,776,539) million contract for two additional Expeditionary Fast Transport Ships (EPF) by the U.S. Navy.
Austal awarded A$369 million U.S. Navy contract
The contract award extends the EPF program to 2022, with construction of EPF-13 to commence in late 2019 and EPF-14 to follow in the middle of 2020. The contract follows the award for long-lead time materials on EPF-13 and EPF-14 that was announced in December 2018.
The 14-ship, EPF program has to date been worth over US$2 billion and underscores the ability of Austal USA to build highly capable ships at an affordable cost.
«The extension of this program to 14 vessels is a result of the versatility of the EPF platform to perform an increasing range of roles for the U.S. Navy combined with the confidence our customer has in it. We continue to believe that the EPF vessel, in various configurations, has a long future ahead of it», Austal CEO, David Singleton said.
«We have a proven ability to build these cost-effective vessels efficiently at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Mobile, Alabama and as a result they will continue to underpin the shipyard for several years to come. We are pleased to add these new vessels to what is already a record order book, which includes the contract Austal recently received for two additional Independence Class, Littoral Combat Ships (LCS)».
The EPF’s large, open-mission deck and large habitable spaces provide the opportunity to conduct a wide range of missions including engagement and humanitarian assistance to disaster relief, maritime security support operations, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance across the world.
The design of the EPF has a shallow draft of 13 feet/3.96 m and an advanced water jet propulsion system, enabling speeds greater than 40 knots/46 mph/74 kph. This capability provides EPF the versatility to access austere and degraded ports with minimal external assistance, enabling the vessels to support requirements in special operations, command and control, and support operations.
SPECIFICATIONS
PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS
Material
Hull and superstructure – aluminium alloy
Length overall
103 m/337.9 feet
Beam overall
28.5 m/93.5 feet
Hull draft (maximum)
3.83 m/12.57 feet
MISSION BAY
Area (with tie-downs)
1,863 m2/20,053 feet2
Clear Height
4.75 m/15.6 feet
Turning diameter
26.2 m/86.0 feet
ISO TEU (Twenty Equivalent Units) Stations
6 Interface Panels
ACCOMMODATIONS
Crew
41
Single SR
2
Double SR
6
Quad SR
7
Troop Seats
312
Troop Berths
Permanent: 104
Temporary: 46
Galley and Messing
48
PROPULSION
Main Engines
4 × MTU 20V8000 M71L Diesel Engines 4 × 9.1 MW
Gear boxes
4 × ZF 60000NR2H Reduction Gears
Waterjets
4 × Wartsila WLD 1400 SR
PERFORMANCE
Average Speed
35 knots/40 mph/65 km/h @ 90% MCR with 635 mt (700 st) payload
Maximum Speed
43 knots/50 mph/80 km/h without payload
Maximum Transit Range
1,200 NM/1,381 miles/2,222 km
Self-Deployment Range
5,600 NM/6,444 miles/10,371 km
Survival Through
SS-7
AVIATION FACILITIES
NAVAIR Level 1 Class 2 Certified Flight Deck for one helicopter
Centreline parking area for one helicopter
NAVAIR Level 1 class 4 Type 2 Certified VERTREP (Vertical Replenishment)
Helicopter Control Station
AUXILIARY SYSTEMS
Active Ride Control
Transcom Interceptors
Foils: 3.24 m2/34.9 feet2 each, forward on inboard sides of demi-hulls
The first vessel from the Turnbull Government’s $90 billion continuous shipbuilding program has been launched.
The first of a new class of 21 Pacific Patrol Boats that Australia is building to reinforce its Pacific allies was launched yesterday. This program is the first element of Australia’s financially-ambitious $90-billion shipbuilding plan (AUS DoD photo)
Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said Austal launched the first of 21 new Pacific Patrol Boats – named the Guardian Class – at Henderson in Western Australia.
«The launch is a further demonstration the Turnbull Government is delivering on its ambitious naval shipbuilding agenda», Minister Pyne said. «The project, which is worth around $335 million, is on time and on budget. This particular boat will be gifted to Papua New Guinea in late October 2018 and is the first of 21 boats to be gifted to 12 Pacific Island countries and East Timor as part of the Pacific Maritime Security Program. Austal has advised the Guardian Class Patrol Boat Project supports around 400 jobs either directly or through the supply chain».
The boats will be used to conduct maritime surveillance and enforcement operations, such as combating illegal fishing.
Construction of the second and third boats is underway, with new boats scheduled to be delivered at approximately three-month intervals from late 2018 until 2023.
The 39.5 metre/129.6 feet steel-hulled patrol boats are being built at Austal’s dedicated production facility in the suburb of Naval Base, near Henderson.
Austal Limited has joined the Royal Australian Navy in celebrating the official naming of the ninth Cape-class patrol boat designed and constructed by Austal, at a ceremony held at the HMAS Stirling naval base in Western Australia.
ADV Cape Fourcroy crew celebrate the naming of the vessel (Photo: Austal)
The first of two Cape-class patrol boats to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) under a A$63 million contract, ADV Cape Fourcroy is named after the western most tip of Bathurst Island in the Northern Territory.
The naming ceremony at HMAS Stirling was attended by Commodore Luke Charles-Jones representing the RAN Fleet Commander; Captain Warren Bairstow, Commander Mine Warfare, Hydrographic and Patrol Forces; Captain Brian Delamont, Commanding Officer HMAS Stirling; Commander Mark Taylor, Commanding Officer of ADV Cape Fourcroy; and Gordon Blaauw, Austal’s Head of Design.
«Austal is delighted to deliver Cape Fourcroy, the first of two Cape-class patrol boats for the Royal Australian Navy and we look forward to completing this current contract with the on-time, on-budget delivery of Cape Inscription later this month», Gordon Blaauw said.
«We’re exceptionally proud of the proven Cape-class platform, which has set a new benchmark in patrol boat design and operability. These Austal designed and built vessels are helping secure and protect Australia’s extensive maritime borders, with eight operated by the Australian Border Force and two to be operated by the RAN», Blaauw added.
Austal’s 190-foot/58-meter Cape-class patrol boat was specifically designed to meet the unique border protection and maritime security requirements of the Australian Border Force and Royal Australian Navy. With a top speed of 26 knots/30 mph/48 km/h and an operation range of up to 4,000 nautical miles/4,603 miles/7,408 km the Cape-class is a critical part of Australia’s ongoing maritime security. The vessel operates with a crew of 22 and is capable of operating 28-day patrols in sea state 4 with the ability to launch two boats simultaneously.
Commenting on the delivery and naming of this latest Cape-class, Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said Austal’s experience in designing and building defence vessels is demonstrated by the company’s successful delivery of a total 73 patrol boats for domestic and international markets since 1998. Mr. Singleton explained that the Cape Class Patrol Boat Program underpins Austal’s strategy to achieve the right balance between export and domestic production and is the basis for a sustainable model of naval shipbuilding in Australia.
«Exports derived from defence programs, like Cape, highlight ’the multiplier effect’ on local job creation, when Australian suppliers are engaged to deliver both domestic and international contracts. Every program we deliver creates both direct and indirect jobs, across the country. Austal has always operated with an export focus, and we continue to deliver four out of every five ships for the international market», Singleton added.
Austal is currently bidding with German designer Fassmer to design and build 12 new Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Australian Navy, as part of the Australian Government’s Continuous Naval Shipbuilding Program. The continuation of Austal providing critical capability for the Commonwealth of Australia (through the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project) and RAN (with the Cape Class and OPV) will not only contribute to Australia’s sovereign shipbuilding industry, but provide a prominent base for increased export opportunities, globally.
Austal is currently pursuing export opportunities for variations of the Bay Class, Cape Class and Guardian Class (Pacific) Patrol Boats, for customers in the Middle East and Asia with expectations that this activity will result in even greater vessel design, construction and sustainment work and supply chain engagement in Australia.
On April 26, Austal welcomed the Minister for Defence Industries, the Hon. Christopher Pyne MP, to cut the first steel plate for the first of nineteen Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) vessels for the Commonwealth of Australia.
Minister for Defence Industry the Hon Christopher Pyne MP cutting steel on the first Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement vessel for the Commonwealth of Australia (Photo: Austal)
Austal CEO Mr. David Singleton said the plate-cutting was not only the start of construction for the A$306 million Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement project, but also the Australian Government’s A$89 billion Continuous Naval Shipbuilding Program.
«Austal is incredibly proud to be delivering the Commonwealth’s Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project. Austal is Australia’s only design, build and sustainment shipbuilding company. Austal has already delivered the Commonwealth’s entire border patrol capability for over 18 years. The PPB-R project is the largest fleet of steel vessels to be constructed by Austal. This project demonstrates our ability to manage and deliver complex shipbuilding projects for the Australian Government», Mr. Singleton added.
«The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement project will also provide opportunities for some of the 100 new apprentices to be recruited by Austal over the coming seven months – and ultimately employ up to 207 Austal employees directly. Upwards of 300 more are expected to be employed across our Australian supply chain, meaning more than 500 people will be engaged with the PPB-R project. We’re building Australia’s sovereign shipbuilding capability, today», Singleton concluded.
Joining Minister Pyne at the ceremony were Shadow Minister for Defence Issues, Mr. Sean L’Estrange MLA, Austal’s Chairman, Mr. John Rothwell, Chief Operating Officer Patrick Gregg, HD Plasma and Laser Cutting Services Managing Director Les Archibald and representatives from the Royal Australian Navy, Department of Defence, suppliers and industry.
With the project’s Detailed Design Review and plate-cutting both delivered on-schedule, Austal is on track to deliver the first steel PPB-R vessel in late 2018.
About the Patrol Boats (SEA3036)
The contract for the SEA3036 Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project was awarded to Austal in May 2016 and comprises the design, construction and sustainment of nineteen 129.6 feet/39.5-meter steel patrol boats, to be gifted to twelve Pacific Island nations from 2018 to 2023.
Austal was selected following a competitive tender process against international shipbuilding consortiums, with a cost effective, proven patrol vessel platform and a build strategy that includes a dedicated shipbuilding facility (opened by Minister Pyne on 8th March 2017), Cairns-based sustainment operations and an established, reliable Australian supply chain with over 325 companies nation-wide.
The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement project is based on Austal’s proven patrol boat design platform and is 129.6 feet/39.5 meters long with a beam of 26.2 feet/8 meters and a loaded draft of 8.2 feet/2.5 meters. It is capable of traveling at 20 knots/23 mph/37 km/h and at 12 knots/13.8 mph/22km/h possesses a 3,000-nautical mile/3,452-mile/5,556-km range. Each vessel can accommodate 23 people.
Austal is pleased to announce the successful roll out prior to launch of Hull 380, the ninth Cape-class patrol boat designed and constructed by Austal and the first of two to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) in 2017.
Austal’s Cape-class patrol boat program for the Royal Australian Navy has directly engaged 348 Australian suppliers and directly employed 350 people over the past 12 months of construction (Photo: Austal)
Australian Defence Industry Minister, The Honourable Christopher Pyne Member of Parliament, Senator Chris Back and Federal Member for Canning, Andrew Hastie Member of Parliament joined Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton and Austal Chairman, John Rothwell at the official roll out, completed at Austal’s Henderson Western Australia shipyard.
Mr. Singleton said: «It is with great pride we welcome the Defence Industry Minister here today (December 8, 2016) to celebrate not only the continuing success of Cape-class as an effective maritime border protection solution, but Austal’s proven shipbuilding capability. Austal delivered eight Capes to the Australian Border Force over 2013 – 2015 and we will hand over Capes 9 and 10 to the Royal Australian Navy in the first half of 2017. To date, we have directly engaged 348 Australian suppliers and created and sustained 350 jobs in the delivery of the Cape program».
Austal’s Cape-class patrol boat is a 190 feet/58 meter all aluminium monohull vessel, designed to perform border protection and maritime security tasks, with a top speed of 26 knots/30 mph/48 km/h and a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles/4,603 miles/7,408 km. With a crew of 22, the vessel is capable of undertaking 28 day patrols in (up to) sea state 4 and the ability to launch two boats simultaneously.
New, enhanced maritime security and anti-mine warfare variants of the Cape were announced at Euronaval 2016, which offer even greater capability and feature mission packages that include Unmanned Aerial Vehicle’s (UAV’s), Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV’s) and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV’s).
Hull 380 is due to be launched later this week and will undergo final fitout before sea trials commencing in January 2017. Delivery to the RAN is on schedule for April 2017.
The second Cape for the RAN, Hull 381, is due for launch in February 2017.
The Cape-class patrol boat is an effective maritime border protection capability, in service with the Australian Border Force and Royal Australian Navy (Photo: Austal)
Austal Limited (Austal) is pleased to announce that Austal Australia will deliver an important mid-life remediation program to the Royal Australian Navy’s Armidale Class Patrol Boat (ACPB) fleet.
HMAS Glenelg prior to launch from the Austal shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia 2007 (Picture: Austal)
Austal will undertake a number of hull remediation and configuration changes as well as planned and corrective maintenance work on up to seven (7) ACPB’s at the company’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard from October 2016.
The activity, won in a domestic and international environment, will provide immediate, ongoing work for over 120 Austal employees and provides continuity of work between the completion of two Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy and a major export contract for Mols Linien, commencing April 2017.
The work on the ACPB’s adds to the company’s growing service and sustainment business. Austal is already delivering in-service support to the Australian Border Force’s fleet of eight Cape-class patrol boats (designed and constructed by Austal) and has been contracted to provide in service support for nineteen steel Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) vessels, as they enter service from late 2018.
Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton commented «As the original designer and builder of the Armidale Class, Austal is in an ideal position to deliver this important, mid-life enhancement work to a proven naval platform. Our inherent knowledge base and practical experience building and servicing the hard working Armidale fleet will ensure the vessels depart Austal in 2017 as a fully operational and effective capability. This order is indeed timely for Austal and ensures that key skills in naval shipbuilding and repair are maintained in Henderson during the lead up to the placement of the Offshore Patrol Vessel contract. Once again, by winning this competitively bid contract, we have demonstrated that Australian shipbuilding can be internationally competitive».
The Armidale Class Patrol Boat (ACPB) is a 184-foot/56-meter all-aluminium monohull patrol boat designed and constructed by Austal for the Royal Australian Navy. Fourteen ACPB’s were delivered from 2005 to 2007 and the vessels continue to play an integral role in Australia’s naval capability in the lead up to the arrival of the new Offshore Patrol Vessel fleet from 2020.
HMAS Larrakia during sea trials off Henderson, Western Australia, 2005 (Picture: Austal)
Austal Limited is pleased to announce the christening of Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel USNS Yuma (T-EPF-8) at a ceremony held at Austal USA’s Mobile, Alabama shipyard on Saturday, 20th August 2016.
Ship sponsor Mrs. Janet Napolitano, former Governor of Arizona and current President of the University of California, joined distinguished guests from the U.S. Navy, State and Local Government, Austal USA management and employees for the christening ceremony, held beneath the hull of the ship in the final assembly bay.
USNS Yuma (T-EPF-8) is the eighth of 10 Expeditionary Fast Transport vessels (EPF) that Austal USA is delivering under a contract with the U.S. Navy valued in excess of US$1.6 billion.
«On behalf of Austal USA’s shipbuilding team – one of the most talented that I’ve ever worked with – we are proud to provide our Navy with an incredible vessel that will honour the great city of Yuma as she supports humanitarian efforts the world over», said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle. «The EPF program has matured very well and we are confident that the EPF fleet will continue to serve our Navy as a highly flexible platform», Mr. Perciavalle added.
EPF-8, a 337.9 feet/103 meter, shallow draft all-aluminium catamaran, is a multi-mission, non-combatant transport vessel characterized by its high volume, high speed, and flexibility. It is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to be named Yuma as a tribute to the residents of the Arizona city and their close ties with the military.
USNS Yuma (T-EPF-8) will ultimately join her sister EPF’s that have been delivered over the last three years, including USNS Spearhead (T-EPF-1) which has logged over 100,000 nautical miles/115,078 miles/185,200 km at sea and is currently on her fifth deployment since she was delivered in 2012.
Three more EPF’s and seven Independence variant Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) are currently under construction at Austal USA. Next month, the shipyard is scheduled to launch USNS Yuma (T-EPF-8), while the future USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10) will undergo builder’s sea trials.
Guests gathered to attend the christening of USNS Yuma (T-EPF-8) (Photo: Austal USA)
SPECIFICATIONS
PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS
Material
Hull and superstructure – aluminium alloy
Length overall
103 m/337.9 feet
Beam overall
28.5 m/93.5 feet
Hull draft (maximum)
3.83 m/12.57 feet
MISSION BAY
Area (with tie-downs)
1,863 m2/20,053 feet2
Clear Height
4.75 m/15.6 feet
Turning diameter
26.2 m/86.0 feet
ISO TEU (Twenty Equivalent Units) Stations
6 Interface Panels
ACCOMMODATIONS
Crew
41
Single SR
2
Double SR
6
Quad SR
7
Troop Seats
312
Troop Berths
Permanent: 104
Temporary: 46
Galley and Messing
48
PROPULSION
Main Engines
4 × MTU 20V8000 M71L Diesel Engines 4 × 9.1 MW
Gear boxes
4 × ZF 60000NR2H Reduction Gears
Waterjets
4 × Wartsila WLD 1400 SR
PERFORMANCE
Average Speed
35 knots/40 mph/65 km/h @ 90% MCR with 635 mt (700 st) payload
Maximum Speed
43 knots/50 mph/80 km/h without payload
Maximum Transit Range
1,200 NM/1,381 miles/2,222 km
Self-Deployment Range
5,600 NM/6,444 miles/10,371 km
Survival Through
SS-7
AVIATION FACILITIES
NAVAIR Level 1 Class 2 Certified Flight Deck for one helicopter
Centreline parking area for one helicopter
NAVAIR Level 1 class 4 Type 2 Certified VERTREP (Vertical Replenishment)
Helicopter Control Station
AUXILIARY SYSTEMS
Active Ride Control
Transcom Interceptors
Foils: 3.24 m2/34.9 feet2 each, forward on inboard sides of demi-hulls
Austal Limited (Austal) is pleased to announce it has been awarded preferred tenderer status by the Commonwealth of Australia for the Pacific Patrol Boats Replacement (PPBR) Project.
Austal Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Design
The PPBR project involves the construction of up to 21 steel-hulled patrol vessels and through life sustainment over 30 years in a total Government expenditure of up to $900 million. Austal’s share of the PPBR program will include the construction of the vessels and short to medium term maintenance components of the project.
Austal will now work with the Commonwealth of Australia to complete documentation and finalise the contract over the coming weeks. Full details will be provided to the market when the contract is finalised.
Austal plans to construct the Pacific Patrol Boats in its shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia, with through-life support to be performed at Austal’s existing facility in Cairns, Queensland. The vessels will replace the existing Pacific Patrol Boat fleet, which is approaching the end of its service life, and will assist Pacific Island countries to continue to take an active part in securing their own extensive Exclusive Economic Zones.
Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said: «I am delighted that we have been selected as preferred tenderer, adding to our long history of constructing patrol boats at our shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia. Austal has delivered Australia’s entire border patrol capability – comprising 30 vessels delivered over the past 17 years – and we look forward to extending this by constructing and servicing vessels that will be used by many of our neighbours in the South Pacific. Construction of the Pacific Patrol Boats also extends Austal’s shipbuilding capability into steel-hulled vessels, which will be important for the future construction of Offshore Patrol Vessels. This project will add to our existing work at our Henderson shipyard, where two High Speed Support Vessels are being constructed for the Royal Navy of Oman this year as well as two additional Cape Class Patrol Boats».
Austal Selected as Preferred Tenderer for Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project
USS Coronado (LCS-4) successfully completed the U.S. Navy’s Total Ship Survivability Trial (TSST) off the coast of California, January 28. During the test event, the crew handled realistic damage simulations, including fire, smoke, electrical failure, flooding, ruptured piping, and structural failure. The scenarios benefited the crew by offering realistic damage control training in preparation for Coronado’s maiden deployment later this year.
Austal’s Trimaran LCS Completes Survivability Test
«Initial indications are that Coronado’s performance met, and in multiple cases exceeded, the survivability requirements for this small surface combatant», said Captain Tom Anderson, Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program manager. «I commend the crew for their exceptional performance and dedication while conducting this important test».
The purpose of the TSST is to evaluate the ship’s systems and procedures following a simulated conventional weapon hit. The primary areas that are evaluated include the ship’s ability to contain and control damage, restore and continue mission capability, and care for personnel casualties. The test is also designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the survivability features inherent in a ship’s design.
«The experience provided the crew, through realistic scenarios, an appreciation for what it would take to operate following battle damage on board an Independence-variant warship», said Commander Troy A. Fendrick, commanding officer of Coronado. «It also provided Sailors, from the deckplate level, the opportunity to provide critical input to the LCS program office, which will result in the improvement of overall ship survivability».
The TSST, along with the Full Ship Shock Trial scheduled June 2016, is a component of the Live-Fire Test and Evaluation program. Coronado is the second LCS of the Independence-variant built by Austal USA and is homeported in San Diego.
LCS is a modular, reconfigurable ship, with three types of mission packages including surface warfare, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine warfare. The Program Executive Office Littoral Combat Ships (PEO LCS) is responsible for delivering and sustaining littoral mission capabilities to the fleet. Delivering high-quality warfighting assets while balancing affordability and capability is key to supporting the nation’s maritime strategy.
Six additional Independence-variant LCS are at various stages of construction at Austal’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama
The Independence Variant of the LCS Class
PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS
Construction
Hull and superstructure – aluminium alloy
Length overall
417 feet/127.1 m
Beam overall
103 feet/31.4 m
Hull draft (maximum)
14.8 feet/4.5 m
PAYLOAD AND CAPACITIES
Complement
Core Crew – 40
Mission crew – 36
Berthing
76 in a mix of single, double & quad berthing compartments
Maximum mission load
210 tonnes
Mission Bay Volume
118,403 feet3/11,000 m3
Mission packages
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
Surface Warfare (SUW)
Mine Warfare (MIW)
PROPULSION
Main engines
2 × GE LM2500
2 × MTU 20V 8000
Waterjets
4 × Wartsila steerable
Bow thruster
Retractable azimuthing
PERFORMANCE
Speed
40 knots/46 mph/74 km/h
Range
3,500 NM/4,028 miles/6,482 km
Operational limitation
Survival in Sea State 8
MISSION/LOGISTICS DECK
Deck area
>21,527.8 feet2/2,000 m2
Launch and recovery
Twin boom extending crane
Loading
Side ramp
Internal elevator to hanger
Launch/Recover Watercraft
Sea State 4
FLIGHT DECK AND HANGER
Flight deck dimensions
2 × SH-60 or 1 × CH-53 or multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles/Vertical Take-off and Land Tactical Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs/VTUAVs)
Hanger
Aircraft stowage & maintenance for 2 × SH-60
Launch/Recover Aircraft
Sea State 5
WEAPONS AND SENSORS
Standard
1 × 57-mm gun
4 × 12.7-mm/.50 caliber guns
1 × Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) launcher
3 × weapons modules
The Independence variant team is led by Austal USA (for LCS-6 and the subsequent even-numbered hulls) and was originally led by General Dynamics, Bath Iron Works (LCS-2 and LCS-4)
Independence-class
Ship
Laid down
Launched
Commissioned
Homeport
USS Independence (LCS-2)
01-19-2006
04-26-2008
01-16-2010
San Diego, California
USS Coronado (LCS-4)
12-17-2009
01-14-2012
04-05-2014
San Diego, California
USS Jackson (LCS-6)
08-01-2011
12-14-2013
12-05-2015
San Diego, California
USS Montgomery (LCS-8)
06-25-2013
08-06-2014
USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS-10)
04-16-2014
02-25-2015
USS Omaha (LCS-12)
02-18-2015
11-20-2015
USS Manchester (LCS-14)
06-29-2015
USS Tulsa (LCS-16)
01-11-2016
USS Charleston (LCS-18)
USS Cincinnati (LCS-20)
USS Kansas City (LCS-22)
USS Oakland (LCS-24)
Launch of USS Omaha (LCS 12) at Austal USA facility – Mobile, Alabama
