Austal USA

What Austal USA does

Austal USA is a U.S.-incorporated, Mobile, Alabama-based defense shipbuilder and wholly-owned subsidiary of Austal Limited (ASX:ASB, Australia), founded in 1999. The company manufactures aluminum and steel surface combatants, submarine modules, and autonomous vessels for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and prime contractors, operating from a 1.5 million+ square-foot Mobile facility (with MMF3 and Final Assembly 2 expansions underway adding ~600,000 SF), a San Diego waterfront repair yard with 9,000-ton dry dock, an Advanced Technologies center in Charlottesville operating the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Danville, Virginia, and a Washington D.C. customer relations office. The company has delivered 34 ships to the Navy since 2009 — 19 Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships, 15 Expeditionary Fast Transports (EPF/EPF Flight II), and multiple T-ATS vessels — and carries a $10 billion contract backlog spanning the TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance program, Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutters, Landing Craft Utility vessels, and Virginia/Columbia-class submarine modules produced in partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat.

Core technology centers on modular ship construction with moving assembly lines, an automated steel panel line, lean production principles, and the proprietary Digital-Secure Exchange for Additive (Digital-SEA) platform that provides Navy-compliant digital traceability across the additive manufacturing supply chain. The Advanced Maritime Solutions division develops autonomous surface vessel designs, an AI-enabled self-managed Machinery Control System supporting up to 30 days of minimally-manned operation, and a Lifecycle Upkeep Sustainment Intelligence (LUSI) product for condition-based maintenance — with larger USV platforms being built in partnership with Lockheed Martin and Saildrone starting Q1 2026. All programs are supported by SSI ShipbuildingPLM as the unified digital thread across vessels.

Austal USA generates revenue through multi-year, fixed-price defense procurement contracts awarded via competitive government processes. Notable program ceilings include $3.195B for up to 7 TAGOS-25, $3.3B for up to 11 OPC, and $91.5M for up to 12 LCU vessels, plus the LCU 1710 first-in-class delivery in August 2026 and ongoing submarine module work for Electric Boat. Secondary revenue streams include the San Diego repair and sustainment business and the additive manufacturing services at the AM CoE. The company's customer base is effectively two anchor accounts — the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard — making government appropriations and program-of-record continuity the primary revenue variables. In August 2026, Hanwha Defense USA submitted a non-binding $1.05–$1.2 billion acquisition offer, with due diligence and CFIUS review pending.

Name

Austal USA

Legal name

Austal USA

Website

https://austalusa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Austal USA is a U.S. defense shipbuilder based in Mobile, Alabama (subsidiary of Austal Limited) that designs and manufactures aluminum and steel surface combatants, submarine modules, and autonomous vessels for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, with a $10 billion contract backlog.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Shipbuilding

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Ship and Boat Building (3366)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Surface Combatants (Destroyers, Frigates, Corvettes) (IMAJABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Landing Craft & Amphibious Workboats (LCM/LCT-style, Beaching Craft) (IMAJADAK), Naval Logistics, Replenishment & Underway Transfer Systems (IMABAKAM), Naval Shipbuilding Program Management & Defense Contracting Support (IMAJABAO)

Keywords

• Defense shipbuilding
• Naval vessel construction
• Submarine modules
• Ship repair services
• Autonomous surface vessels

Headquarters

HQ city

Mobile

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Revenue model

1. Defense Shipbuilding Contracts: Austal USA generates revenue primarily through U.S. government defense contracts for shipbuilding, repair, and sustainment services. The company holds a $10 billion contract backlog including surface ships for Navy and Coast Guard, submarine modules, and autonomous vessels.
2. Additive Manufacturing Services: Operating the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence, providing additive manufacturing capabilities and digital traceability solutions for submarine components and naval applications.
3. Repair & Sustainment: Comprehensive ship repair, maintenance, modernization, and lifecycle support services from San Diego facility with 9,000-ton dry dock capacity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Austal USA is a defense shipbuilder that designs, manufactures, and supports aluminum and steel surface ships, submarine modules, and autonomous maritime systems for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. The company operates a 1.5 million square foot modular shipbuilding facility in Mobile, Alabama, producing programs such as Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships, Expeditionary Fast Transports (EPF), TAGOS-25 Ocean Surveillance Ships, Towing Salvage & Rescue Ships (T-ATS), Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessels, and Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutters. It also fabricates modules for Virginia- and Columbia-class submarines and runs the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence.

Product overview

Austal USA is a defense shipbuilder offering a diversified portfolio of surface ships, submarine modules, autonomous systems, and lifecycle services. Core surface ship products include the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program (19 ships delivered, now complete), Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) and EPF Flight II catamarans (15 delivered), TAGOS-25 Ocean Surveillance Ships (up to 7 contracted), Towing/Salvage/Rescue Ships (T-ATS), Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessels, and Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPC) for the Coast Guard. Submarine operations produce modules for Virginia-class and Columbia-class submarines in partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat. The Solutions division provides autonomous maritime systems including Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) with autonomous machinery control. Advanced Technology operations include the Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) in Danville, VA, managing Digital-SEA for digital traceability. Repair & Services offers global ship maintenance through San Diego facility. All programs are supported by SSI ShipbuildingPLM for digital manufacturing and edgeCore digital twin integration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Digital-SEA: Digital-Secure Exchange for Additive - a secure, Navy-compliant platform ensuring full digital traceability from design through production for additive manufacturing.

Products and services

• Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)
• Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) / Spearhead-class
• Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) Flight II
• TAGOS-25 Ocean Surveillance Ship
• Towing, Salvage & Rescue Ship (T-ATS) / Navajo-class
• Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1700-class
• Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC)
• Virginia-class Submarine Modules
• Columbia-class Submarine Modules
• Ship Repair & Sustainment Services
• Navy Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM 15)

Quantifiable outcome

• 34 ships delivered to U.S. Navy since 2009
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Edge Total IntelligencecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 June 2026$1.2 million contract for edgeCore digital twin solution as integration layer for Navy's Digital Secure Exchange for Additive Platform at AM Center of Excellence.
• GE AerospacecoreTechnology or Integration · 21 May 2026Supplying LM2500+G4 marine gas turbine engines for US Navy TAGOS-25 Ocean Surveillance Ships. GE's composite enclosure technology provides 50% weight reduction and 60% quieter operation for acoustic surveillance missions.
• Kongsberg MaritimecoreTechnology or Integration · 9 May 2026Supplying Promas propulsion systems for US Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutter Heritage Class program. Contract covers next four vessels of expected 25-ship program, including steering gear, rudders, fin stabilizers, and tunnel thrusters.
• Poarch Band of Creek Indians (PCI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2026MoU to expand regional shipbuilding capacity. PCI providing support services for Austal's Module Manufacturing Facility expansion including workforce training and production-focused programs.
• National Center for Additive Manufacturing Excellence (NCAME)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2026Partnership with NCAME at Auburn University to build material allowables for AM adoption in shipbuilding. Aims to reduce 1-2 year lead times for conventional forged or cast parts.
• Metal Powder WorkscoreTechnology or Integration · 17 December 2025Powder Partnership Agreement to co-develop metal powder specifications for naval additive manufacturing. MPW leveraging DirectPowder Process to create custom CuNi alloy powders meeting US Navy specifications.
• SSI ShipbuildingPLMcoreTechnology or Integration · 16 December 2025Expanded digital transformation using SSI ShipbuildingPLM as digital thread across all vessels and programs. Builds on 20-year partnership using SSI ShipConstructor since 2005.
• Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2025MoU signed at INDOPAC 2025 in Sydney to advance 3D printing in Australian shipbuilding and submarine sustainment. Strengthens supply chain for Virginia-class and Collins-class submarine programs under AUKUS framework.
• L3Harris TechnologiescoreTechnology or Integration · 17 November 2025Team member on TAGOS-25 program for detail design and construction of up to seven ocean surveillance ships.
• Thoma-Sea Marine ConstructorscoreTechnology or Integration · 17 November 2025Team member on TAGOS-25 program for detail design and construction of up to seven ocean surveillance ships.
• Lockheed Martin / SaildronecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2025$50 million Lockheed Martin investment in Saildrone for USV development. Larger USV platforms being constructed at Austal USA starting Q1 2026, integrating Lockheed Martin's defense payloads with Saildrone's autonomous USV platform.
• AML3D LimitedcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 July 2025Partnership for ARCEMY metal 3D printing systems at Navy AM Center of Excellence. Austal USA's fleet includes three ARCEMY systems. Portable containerized system deployed for rapid redeployment capability.
• Master Boat BuilderscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Strategic partnership through MoU for distributed shipbuilding across Gulf Coast yards. First contract involves fabrication of T-ATS hull modules at Master Boat's Coden, Alabama facility for final assembly at Austal USA.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Lockheed Martin: Largest U.S. defense prime with a naval systems portfolio including LCS mission systems and combat integration. Partnered with Austal/Saildrone on USV construction and competes broadly in defense procurement where Austal participates.
• Hanwha Ocean (formerly Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering): Major Korean shipbuilder seeking entry into U.S. naval shipbuilding via the proposed acquisition of Austal USA. Competes globally in naval and commercial shipbuilding and represents the kind of large-scale foreign prime that could reshape U.S. capacity if the deal closes.
• Northrop Grumman (Mission Systems / formerly Ingalls): Large U.S. defense prime with naval combat systems, unmanned surface vessel programs (e.g., Global Response Cutters), and historical shipbuilding exposure. Competes with Austal on Navy and Coast Guard procurement and provides broader defense benchmarks.

Regional players

• Master Boat Builders: Alabama-based shipbuilder partnered with Austal USA on distributed shipbuilding for the T-ATS program. Comparable Gulf Coast fabrication capability but smaller scale and primarily a subcontractor on Austal's programs.
• Fincantieri (Fincantieri Marine Group): Italian-headquartered naval shipbuilder with U.S. operations (Fincantieri Marine Group in Wisconsin/Gulf Coast). Builds Littoral Combat Ships for the U.S. Navy under a competing contract alongside Austal and is a peer in naval shipbuilding outside the U.S. market.
• Naval Group: French state-owned naval shipbuilder. Comparable as a non-U.S. prime building surface combatants, submarines, and auxiliary vessels; relevant for AUKUS-related submarine sustainment discussions and global naval market benchmarks.

Direct peers

• Bollinger Shipyards: Louisiana-based shipbuilder of Coast Guard cutters (including Sentinel-class FRC) and other military vessels. Direct competitor for Gulf Coast U.S. government shipbuilding contracts, especially smaller patrol and support vessels.
• Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors: U.S. shipbuilder team member on Austal's TAGOS-25 program and a competitor for Navy and commercial vessel contracts. Comparable mid-size Gulf Coast shipyard focused on steel and aluminum vessel construction for government customers.
• Huntington Ingalls Industries: America's largest military shipbuilder (Ingalls Shipbuilding, Newport News Shipbuilding). Directly competes with Austal USA on U.S. Navy surface combatant programs and amphibious ships, and is the dominant prime for larger combatants like destroyers and amphibious assault ships.
• General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works and Electric Boat: General Dynamics builds Arleigh Burke-class destroyers at Bath Iron Works and is the prime contractor for Virginia and Columbia-class submarines at Electric Boat. Austal is a module supplier to Electric Boat and competes with Bath Iron Works on surface combatant work.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/austal-usa
• Xx.com/austal_usa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Austal USA