The Pentagon has concluded a contract with Austal USA for the supply of two additional ships Coastal Marine (LCS) Zone type "Independence", According Mil.Press FlotProm.
In this way, the US Navy this year contracted four new ships of this type. Cost of one ship, according to the military department, is about $584 million.
The names of the future ships have not yet been selected, therefore they appear in messages under the numbers LCS-36 and LCS-38. Accordingly, they will become the 18th and 19th representatives of the "Independence" type.
According to the CEO of the company David Singleton, the new order confirms the uniqueness of the ship and is further proof of the, How important is Austal's role in upgrading the U.S. Navy.
Now the company's portfolio includes orders for ten more LCS class ships, which will ensure the loading of its production up to 2025 of the year, added Singleton.
Recall, there is competition in the USA in this area: LCS series ships are built by two different contractors - Lockheed Martin and Austal. Unlike the traditional "Freedom" type design (proposed by Lockheed Martin), ships of the "Independence" class are a trimaran.
The displacement of the ship "Independence" is 2,3 thousand. tonnes, its length - 127 m, width - 31 m. Speed - up 47 knots, cruising range 4,9 thousand. km. weaponry: 57-mm gun, four heavy machine guns (12,7 mm), anti-aircraft missile launcher Evolved SeaRAM. provision is made for the placement of two MH-60R / S "Seahok" helicopters.
For reference: 14 December, at the Austal facility in Alabama, the laying ceremony for the 13th ship of the Independence class took place (LCS 26).
