Austal Limited (Austal) (ASX: ASB) is pleased to announce Austal USA has received a US$867.6 million (A$1.28 billion) undefinitised contract award (UCA) for the final design and construction of three Expeditionary Medical Ships (EMS) from the United States Navy.
December 22, 2023 -- The EMS is based on Austal’s proven Expeditionary Fast Transport ship (EPF) platform and will be manufactured in Austal USA’s aluminium manufacturing line following completion of the last Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF 16).
Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the contract enables the final detailed design for the Expeditionary Medical Ship to be completed and construction of three vessels to commence.
“The new Expeditionary Medical Ship further extends the capabilities of the proven Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) platform, designed and constructed by Austal, to enable more complex medical procedures and operations to be performed onboard, at sea and underway,” Mr Gregg said.
“These three new EMS will enhance the US Navy’s capability to provide effective medical and surgical support anywhere in the world, quickly, safely and efficiently.”
At a glance
- Company
- Austal Limited
- Ticker
- ASX: ASB
- Announcement
- Award
Key figures
- Contract award (U.S. dollars)
- US$867.6 million
- Contract award (Australian dollars)
- A$1.28 billion
- Ships covered by award
- three
People
- Paddy GreggAustal Limited Chief Executive Officer
Products and programs
The Expeditionary Medical Ship (EMS), an Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) variant, is a cost-effective design providing a dedicated medical ship optimized to provide patient holding, stabilization, evacuation and transport in support of Distributed Maritime Operations (DMO). The EMS design features a shallow draft which enables greater reach and allows for direct access to austere ports. The flight deck will accommodate military aircraft, including the V-22 Osprey and CH-53K heavy lift cargo helicopter.
Austal USA has delivered 13 EPF's, a predecessor to the EMS design, to the United States Navy. The company is preparing to deliver the first EPF Flight II, the future USNS Cody (EPF 14), which features enhanced Role 2E medical capability, and has two more Flight II vessels under construction.
This ASX announcement has been approved and authorised for release by Paddy Gregg, Austal Limited’s Chief Executive Officer.
The Expeditionary Medical Ship (EMS) is a high-speed aluminium catamaran based on the proven Expeditionary Fast Transport design that offers enhanced medical support to the United States Navy. (Image: Austal USA)
- ENDS -
Media Contact:
Cameron Morse
+61 433 886 871
[email protected]
FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact: Austal
Phone: 61 8 9410 1111
Fax: 61 8 9410 2564
Email: [email protected]
If you detect any issues, problems, or errors in this press release content, kindly contact [email protected] to notify us (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 8 hours.
In brief
Austal Limited says its U.S. subsidiary, Austal USA, has received a U.S. Navy contract award valued at US$867.6 million (A$1.28 billion) for final design and construction of three Expeditionary Medical Ships. The award is undefinitised, and the work will complete detailed design and begin vessel construction. The ships are based on the company’s Expeditionary Fast Transport platform and are slated for Austal USA’s aluminium production line after the final EPF vessel is completed. Austal describes the EMS as a medical-support variant intended for patient care, stabilization, evacuation and transport. The design includes a shallow draft for access to austere ports and a flight deck intended to support military aircraft. CEO Paddy Gregg said the contract enables the design and construction work to proceed.
Key takeaways
- Austal USA received a U.S. Navy award for the final design and construction of three Expeditionary Medical Ships.
- The undefinitised contract award is valued at US$867.6 million (A$1.28 billion).
- The EMS is based on Austal’s Expeditionary Fast Transport platform and will be built after completion of EPF 16.
- The design is intended to support medical operations and access to austere ports.
