In an effort to expand its business, shipbuilder Austal USA opened a new San Diego operations office on July 17.
The company explains that it intends to provide the US Navy with more ships and support the life of vessels.
The new facility will employ over 200 workers, dedicated to service work for both Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and Expeditionary Fast Transports (EPF). This location will serve as a base of operations on the West Coast for Austal USA, the company said.
“With nine expeditionary fast transport ships and eight Independence-variant littoral combat ships delivered to the navy, and many more to follow, this expansion increases our ability to support our ships beyond delivery and as they deploy,” Craig Perciavalle, Austal USA President, commented.
Austal has delivered two LCS to the US Navy in 2018 while another five are under construction. LCS 18 is preparing for acceptance trials as LCS 20, 22, 24 and LCS 26 are following close behind. Additionally, Austal has two more LCS in a pre-construction phase, LCS 28 and LCS 30.
In addition to being in full-rate production for the LCS program, Austal is also the navy’s prime contractor for the expeditionary fast transport (EPF) program. Austal has delivered nine EPF vessels, while an additional three are in various stages of construction.
The San Diego opening comes on the heels of the company’s recent acquisition of ElectraWatch, a technology company, and its Singapore office opening in January 2017.