Austal USA starts work on US Navy floating dry dock
The floating dry dock will measure around 211m long. (Photo: Austal USA)
Austal USA has started constructing a floating dry dock for the USN at its Gulf Coast ship manufacturing site.
The Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM) is the third programme to begin construction at the company’s new steel-shipbuilding line following T-ATS 11 and 12 – the first two of four USN Towing, Salvage and Rescue (T-ATS) ships.
Austal USA VP of new construction Dave Growden said: ‘This dry dock will be a first for Austal, but we’re up to the challenge,
‘Our talented shipbuilders are always ready for whatever we require of them whether it’s the fourth ship in a multi-ship program or the first of a new design.’
Related Articles
Incumbent loses out as Austal USA wins follow-on Offshore Patrol Cutter contract
Austal nets US Navy T-AGOS surveillance ships contract
VIDEO: US Navy footage shows 'unsafe' manoeuvres by Chinese ship
The AFDM has continuous wing walls and sectional pontoons to provide the stability and displacement needed to lift and submerge vessels.
The dry dock has an 18,000lt lifting capacity and an 8,435 sq m clear deck working area.
Measuring 211m, the design incorporates features to improve operability and maintainability based on Austal’s knowledge of owning, operating and maintaining a similar dry dock at its Mobile, Alabama, repair facility.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Future of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is still unclear]()
Future of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is still unclear
The Canadian government remains tight-lipped on the timeline and funding required for the next steps of its Canadian Submarine Patrol Project, which should offer improved capabilities for the country’s navy.
-
![Mitsubishi eyes future with Australia’s Mogami selection]()
Mitsubishi eyes future with Australia’s Mogami selection
With Australia’s selection of the Mogami-class for Project Sea 3000, Mitsubishi is investigating local production in the next decade as potential export opportunities emerge.
-
![Thales’ new Sonar 76Nano could equip UK Royal Navy on anti-submarine warfare missions]()
Thales’ new Sonar 76Nano could equip UK Royal Navy on anti-submarine warfare missions
The new sonar is designed to equip uncrewed underwater vessels, with the potential to be used by the Royal Navy for its Atlantic Bastion and Atlantic Net missions.
-
![UK to join US Navy’s Virginia-class submarine assembly effort to speed up construction]()
UK to join US Navy’s Virginia-class submarine assembly effort to speed up construction
The expansion of the Virginia-class submarine construction to UK shores could accelerate the project as US shipbuilders continue to fall short of delivery goals.
