Austal USA Launches First Steel Ship Marking Expansion from Aluminum

Austal USA has achieved a significant milestone in its shipbuilding operations with the recent launch of the USNS Billy Frank Jr. (T-ATS 11), marking the company’s first foray into steel construction. This transition comes in response to the U.S. Navy’s concerns regarding the durability of aluminum vessels. The launch, which took place on June 14, 2023, is a pivotal step for Austal as it develops its capabilities in steel shipbuilding, supported by a $50 million grant from the Department of Defense.

Transition to Steel Construction

The USNS Billy Frank Jr. represents a new chapter for Austal USA, which has primarily focused on aluminum vessels, including the Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship. The company began its transition to steel construction five years ago, prompted by the Navy’s strategic shift back to all-steel vessels. In 2019, the Navy initiated plans to enhance its steel construction capabilities, leading to Austal receiving a substantial grant to establish a new automated steel panel line at its Mobile shipyard.

Construction of the USNS Billy Frank Jr. commenced in July 2022, marking the beginning of the Navy’s Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ship program. Austal secured a contract for three hulls as part of this initiative, with the recent rollout of the first vessel showcasing the company’s progress. Harley Combs, vice president of surface ship programs, expressed pride in the flawless launch, attributing the success to the dedication of the workforce.

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Weighing in at 3,100 metric tons, the T-ATS 11 is the heaviest ship Austal has launched to date. The launch process involved a multi-step method, where the ship was rolled onto a moored deck barge before being transferred to a floating dry dock. This innovative approach allowed the vessel to float for the first time, marking a significant achievement in Austal’s shipbuilding journey.

Capabilities and Future Prospects

At the time of its launch, the USNS Billy Frank Jr. was reported to be over 85 percent complete. The ship is now preparing for its next major milestone, the engine light-off, as it gears up for sea trials and eventual delivery. Designed to provide ocean-going towing, salvage, and rescue capabilities, the T-ATS class features a multi-mission common hull platform with 6,000 square feet of deck space for various embarked systems.

This new class of vessels combines the capabilities of the retiring Rescue and Salvage Ship and Fleet Ocean Tug platforms, enabling it to support a wide range of missions, including towing, salvage, oil spill response, and humanitarian assistance. The platform’s design also allows for future rapid capability initiatives, accommodating modular payloads with necessary interfaces.

Austal’s commitment to steel construction has already yielded significant contracts, including a $3 billion deal for seven ocean surveillance ships awarded in 2023. Additionally, the company secured contracts for the Navy’s Auxiliary Floating Drydock Medium and follow-on hulls for the U.S. Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter program. As Austal wraps up its final Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship, the future USS Pierre (LCS-38), the company is poised to expand its capabilities and meet the evolving demands of the U.S. Navy.