WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Austal USA is being awarded a more than $584-million contract to build a new littoral combat ship (LCS), the US Department of Defense announced in a press release
"Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama, is being awarded a not-to-exceed Congressional cost cap of $584,200,000 contract for the construction of a littoral combat ship, to include associated LCS class services and related material, and integrated data environment support," the release said on Friday.
The Defense Department explained the contract also includes options for the construction of additional LCS post-delivery support.
The two variants are designed anticipating increasing threats from coastal mines, diesel submarines, pirates and small fast attack boats of the type the Iranians employ, according to published reports.
The warships are expected to serve as communications nodes transmitting data to and from aircraft, ships, submarines and combat units ashore.
