In a span of just four weeks, Austal USA accomplished what would normally define an entire quarter of progress, completing major milestones across four separate ship programs through precise coordination, relentless effort, and extraordinary teamwork.

As EPF 16, the final Expeditionary Fast Transport under Austal USA’s current Navy contract, launched, the moment marked more than a launch. It represents weeks of around-the-clock planning and execution by a relatively small but highly coordinated workforce determined to deliver for the Nation’s defense.

Behind the scenes, marine operations, crane and rigging, test and activation, projects, safety, hull and vessel support, and trade support teams worked in lockstep to successfully plan and execute:

  • Five transitions from land to floating barge
  • Seven waterborne movements, carefully relocating ships in preparation for sea trials, launches, and final assembly
  • Five sea trials, including a complex beaching trial, completing the builder’s trials evolution for the Navy’s Landing Craft Utility (LCU 1710). This marked the first time Austal USA has conducted trials on an LCU.
  • Two ship launches for the future USNS Solomon Atkinson (T-ATS 12) and future USNS Lansing (EPF 16)
  • Two massive “super module” transits and erections (approximately 3,000 tons each) for the Navy’s Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM)

Each of these milestones required detailed choreography including heavy lifts measured in thousands of tons, complex rigging evolutions, tightly timed water movements, and seamless coordination between teams operating across multiple programs simultaneously.

“To say that I am proud of the amazing work our talented workforce has accomplished in this short period of time is an understatement,” said Austal USA Interim President Gene Miller. “These employees worked long hours, sacrificing personal time and expending incredible energy to uphold Austal USA’s reputation for quality and on-time delivery. I speak for the entire leadership team when I say we are honored to work alongside such a dedicated and patriotic group of men and women.”

With these milestones complete:

  • EPF 16 and T-ATS 12 are now preparing for builder’s sea trials.
  • LCU 1710 is moving toward acceptance trials.
  • Major sections of the Navy’s Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM) have been repositioned in preparation for final joining and trials.

Work continues at full pace across the yard on:

  • Two Virginia-class submarine modules scheduled to be transported to General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut this month
  • Two Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutters
  • T-ATS 13
  • Two additional LCUs
  • The final three Ford-class aircraft carrier elevators under contract with Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipbuilding

This period of concentrated achievement also comes as Austal USA prepares for the next chapter of submarine construction. Phase 1 of the company’s new Module Manufacturing Facility (MMF 3) will be completed this spring, adding 369,600 square feet of purpose-built indoor manufacturing space dedicated to the Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine programs.

From heavy-lift evolutions to sea trials, from launches to submarine module fabrication, the past four weeks have demonstrated what disciplined coordination and shared commitment can accomplish.

Four programs. One workforce. Mission delivered.