Austal Wins USCG Deal Worth Up To $3.3 Billion

MOBILE, Ala. — The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has awarded Mobile-based Austal USA a contract worth a potential $3.3 billion for the design and construction of up to 11 offshore patrol cutters, Business Alabama reports. The 360-ft-long vessels will make up most of USCG’s cutter fleet and be used for missions including law enforcement, drug and migrant interdiction, and search and rescue. They will have a 10,200-nautical-mile range and a 60-day endurance period. The deal marks Austal USA’s first USCG acquisition program. The ships will be built on Austal’s new steel panel line, which opened in April.