Austal Contract to Boost Mobile County Economy

Posted on: Nov 5th, 2010 | News and Announcements

Mobile County Commissioners are encouraging Congress to approve splitting a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) contract ? a move that would result in ten new vessels being built at Mobile based Austal USA. ?Austal is already one of the area?s top employers and their work force will double with this new Navy contract,? said Mobile County Commissioner Mike Dean. ?It?s an incredible shot in the arm during this difficult economy.? Austal currently employs 1,800 workers at its downtown facility. Austal and rival Lockheed Martin bid in July to construct ten new LCS. Now the U.S. Navy is considering doubling the amount to twenty ships and splitting the order between the ship makers. Austal, Lockheed Martin, and Congress would have to approve the move. ?This is tremendous news, not only for Mobile, but for the nation,? said Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson. ?The Austal LCS is truly revolutionary in design and capabilities and will be a real asset to the Navy.? Austal has already completed one LCS, the U.S.S. Independence which was commissioned earlier this year. A second LCS, the U.S.S. Coronado, is currently under construction at Austal. Austal is also under contract to produce at least five Joint High Speed Vessels for the U.S. military. Those ships are currently being manufactured in Mobile. ?Mobile County was one of the partners that worked to bring Austal to Mobile at the beginning of the decade,? said Mobile County Commission President Merceria Ludgood. ?It?s been a pleasure to watch their growth already, and with this new LCS contract, I think we?ve only seen the beginning.?