Austal has delivered the future USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) to the US Navy, the company announced on 26 December.
USS Gabrielle Giffords is the fifth Independence class variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) delivered to the navy since 2009.
The 127m LCS are being delivered under an 11 ship contract worth nearly $4 billion. The future LCS 12 and LCS 14 are preparing for sea-trials, LCS 16 and LCS 18 are in assembly and modules for LCS 20 and LCS 22 are underway at the company's Module Manufacturing Facility.
LCS is designed for operational flexibility to accomplish critical warfighting missions including mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare with inherent capabilities that also support missions such as special operations and maritime interdiction.
The contract was awarded to HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division and General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB). As well as for the building of the boats, contract money will also go towards improving productivity at the shipyards, workforce support and other investment.
The approved purchase is for Tomahawk Block IV and Block V missiles, control systems, telemetry missiles and communication and broadcast systems.
The Philippine Navy is fast-tracking its maritime modernisation with new warships, unmanned platforms, and international shipbuilding partnerships to bolster its regional deterrence posture.
Taiwan is strengthening its deterrence against the PLA through an asymmetric arsenal that includes fast mine-laying vessels and domestically developed UAVs.
L3Harris is targeting European naval modernisation with new uncrewed surface vessels, SATCOM partnerships, and regional investments including defence exercises and facility openings.
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, DSTA chief Ng Chad-son outlines how the agency is reshaping defence tech development through deeper collaboration with industry partners, from AI-enhanced radar to smart naval munitions.
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