Navy awards $1.6 billion ship contract

[unhappycamper]

Navy awards $1.6 billion ship contract
By Ben Evans - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Nov 13, 2008 22:21:27 EST

WASHINGTON — The Navy awarded on Thursday an expected $1.6 billion contract to build 10 high-speed military transport ships to Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Ala.

The work could be a boon to the company’s facility on the Mobile River, which has about 1,000 employees and has been waiting on a Navy decision for another lucrative contract that appears to have stalled.

The company was competing with two other shipbuilders for the transport ship work. The vessels — a joint project between the Navy and Army — are designed to move quickly in and out of conflict areas, transporting troops, cargo and vehicles.

Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., first announced the contract this week, although it wasn’t confirmed until Thursday afternoon.

“I am pleased that the Navy continues to recognize Austal’s tremendous shipbuilding capabilities,” Shelby said in a news release. “This award enhances south Alabama’s defense community and complements our state’s service to our armed forces.”


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_shipcontract_111308/%2e



uhc comment: These are the same guys who blew $600,000,000 on one of the two littoral combat ships we own..