Austal Wins $44-Million Contract

Mobile-headquartered Austal USA was recently awarded a $44-million autonomous design and construction contract by the U.S. Navy, FOX10 reported. The undefinitized contract modification is for the expeditionary fast transport USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13) to establish the ship as an autonomous prototype. Austal is to design, procure, implement and demonstrate the ship as an autonomous platform. The enhancements are to allow the vessel to operate autonomously, while retaining its capability for manned operation. The work will include installation of a perception and autonomy control suite and several automation enhancements to the machinery plant to improve hull, mechanical and electrical reliability. The award builds on Austal’s previous autonomous work for the U.S. Department of Defense: two EPFs are under construction at its shipyard, and a third is on contract and awaiting construction.