Austal Wins $235-Million Contract, Promotes VP

Austal USA of Mobile has been awarded a $235-million contract for design and construction of an additional expeditionary fast transport (EPF) ship, EPF 15, Business Alabama reported. This craft will mark the 13th Spearhead-class EPF craft the shipbuilder will deliver. It has a 13-ft draft and water jet propulsion, allowing it to access a range of ports, while being easily maneuverable on open water and travel up to 35 knots. Austal said the military calls it the pickup truck of the fleet, using it for “humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, maritime security, surveillance, command and control, counter narcotics and additional operations in almost every region of the world.”
The company has also appointed longtime business development executive Larry Ryder as vice president (VP) for business development and external affairs, MarineLink reports. Ryder’s responsibilities will include “all of Austal’s business development efforts, state and federal legislative activities, customer relations with the U.S. military, as well as coordinating external communications and media relations.” He joined Austal in 2014 as senior director of business development and customer relations. He has extensive experience with shipbuilding programs and served as the first director of the U.S. Marine Corps’ High Speed Vessel program office, where he helped develop the EPF. He also served as deputy program manager for U.S. joint high speed vessels. While at General Dynamics, Ryder led all domestic and international business development efforts for the Littoral Combat Ship and EPF programs.