On
January 10, 2012, Austal’s Mobile, Alabama shipyard completed
the launch of the second 127-metre Independence-Variant Littoral Combat
Ship, “Coronado” (LCS 4).
The roll-out marked Austal’s second use of an innovative self-propelled
modular transporter system to transfer the ship from the yard’s
final assembly bay onto a drydock for launch. This system was first
used a few months ago, in September 2011, to successfully launch USNS
“Spearhead” (JHSV 1). Austal and the US Navy collaborated
in the design of a new set of keel stands to support the ship during
construction and facilitate the transition from the assembly bay. Austal’s
own self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) supplemented those of
Berard Transportation of New Iberia, LA, to provide a total of 3,800
tons lift capacity, on some 104 axle lines.
In a three-step process, SPMTs lifted the entire ship and keel
stands lifted the Coronado almost three feet and moved the Littoral
Combat Ship into the moored dry dock. Supporting close to 2,000 tons,
the SPMT operators; aided by tug captains; the dock master and the Austal
launch master manoeuvred “Coronado” aboard the dry dock
in an incident-free operation.
A major improvement in safety and efficiency, the new roll-out method
has shaved hours off the transfer process, and serves as a capstone
in Austal’s effort to reduce cost and time required in future
LCS deliveries. |
The LCS and dry dock were then
transported down river by tug to BAE Systems Southeast Shipyard, Mobile,
where the ship was ultimately floated free of the keel stands, and was
manoeuvred from the drydock. The vessel was then towed back upriver to
Austal’s facility, where it will undergo final outfitting and activation
before sea trials and delivery to the US Navy.
The 127-metre Austal trimaran seaframe is the platform for the LCS’s
mission and weapon systems. This seaframe provides superior seakeeping
and aviation as a result of its long, slender central hull and smaller
side hulls (“amahs”). The trimaran hullform provides a large
internal mission deck with a high payload carrying capacity. Located above
the mission bay is the enormous flight deck capable of conducting dual
H-60 helicopter operations. The vertical location of the flight deck on
the trimaran hull form provides the highest flight deck elevation on a
combatant ship other than a major amphibious vessel or aircraft carrier.
The launch of “Coronado” (LCS 4) closely follows the christening
of the 103-metre USNS “Spearhead” (JHSV 1) and the celebration
of the keel laying ceremony for “Choctaw County” (JHSV 2).
Modular construction has also begun on JHSV 3 and “Jackson”
(LCS 6) – the first of the 10-ship US Navy contract awarded to Austal,
as the prime contractor, a year ago - in Austal’s 65,000 square
metre Module Manufacturing Facility (MMF). Austal also has “Montgomery”
(LCS 8) and JHSV 3 through JHSV 7 under contract.
For the LCS and JHSV programs, Austal is working in a partnership with
General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, a business unit of General
Dynamics. As the ship systems integrator, General Dynamics is responsible
for the design, integration and testing of the ship’s electronic
systems including the combat system, networks, and seaframe control. General
Dynamics’ proven open architecture approach provides affordable
capabilities to the fleet quickly and efficiently.
Austal employs over 2,100 highly qualified shipbuilders, engineers and
support staff in the United States and is steadily growing towards 4,000
employees. |
