Austal receives LCS 6 shock trial support contract

Australian-based shipbuilder Austal announced it has been awarded a US$11.2 million contract modification from the U.S. Navy to provide emergent availability planning and full ship shock trials (FSST) support for tests to be conducted on Littoral Combat Ship USS Jackson (LCS 6).

The company made the announcement shortly after announcing it would book losses of $115 million caused by design modifications on the littoral combat ships.

Under the most recent U.S. Navy contract, Austal USA will plan for and conduct any “in-between shot” repairs required during the FSST event(s), repair any damage sustained during the FSST period and coordinate the removal of FSST testing equipment and instrumentation following completion of the trials.

The FFST comprise a series of tests designed to demonstrate the ship’s ability to withstand the effects of nearby underwater explosions and retain required capability. USS JACKSON has successfully completed the first of three trials and is performing as expected.

Austal delivered USS Jackson (LCS 6) to the U.S. Navy on 11th August 2015 and last week delivered the future USS Montgomery (LCS 8).