Austal and General Dynamics to pursue defence opportunities

In a bid to attract more defence contracts, shipbuilder multinational Austal has entered into an agreement with electronic systems developer, General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems.

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems develops defence hardware and applications for surveillance, mission management, incidence response, and more, on a scalable, open architecture platform, effectively extending the working life of a ship.

The arrangement provides scope for Austal and General Dynamics to work together in acquiring international government and navy contracts, including Australian programs such as Project SEA 1180, the Royal Australian Navy’s Offshore Combatant Vessel.

The agreement builds upon existing arrangements between the companies including those for the Littoral Combat Ship Independence-variant and Joint High Speed Vessel programs. Austal is the prime contractor for those ships, while General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems designs, integrates and tests the electronic systems including the combat system, networks, and seaframe control.

“Our experience working with General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems on those U.S. Navy programs over many years has been extremely positive both for Austal and our Navy customers,” says Austal CEO Andrew Bellamy.

“We look forward to building on that relationship and our in-house expertise to deliver similarly effective capabilities to other customers in the future.”

CAPTION - Austal USA successfully launching the second 127-meter Independence-Variant Littoral Combat Ship featuring electronic systems by General Dynamics.